Studying as an exchange student at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
The Departments of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences offer a large selection of courses and other study opportunities in English, and the number of incoming exchange students has been increasing from year to year. The information below is aimed at exchange students, but also mostly applies to visiting students.
Courses in English at the Faculty
The courses taught in English at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences are, in most cases, Master level courses. With only few exceptions, all the courses at the Faculty are open to exchange students, provided that the student has the necessary previous knowledge
to participate in them, and that there are places available on the course. The availability of courses in English varies from one department to another.
The ECTS study guide including the courses that will be taught during the next academic year is published each year in June. Incoming exchange students should make their study plans (ECTS Learning Agreements) on the basis on the latest information available at the time of making the study plan. In other words, if the ECTS study guide for the upcoming academic year has not yet been published, the study plan is made on the basis of the study guide for the current academic year. If necessary, the student can then modify the study plan in the beginning of the exchange period.
All departments occasionally have courses and lectures given by visiting foreign professors. Further details of such courses are published throughout the year on departmental web sites and notice boards).
The following entire study programmes are taught entirely in English:
- Development Studies (non-degree programme)
- Master's Degree Programme in Bioinformatics
- Master's Degree Programme in Environmental Sciences
- Master's Degree Programme in Embedded Computing
- Master's Degree Programme in Information Technology
- Astronomy track, Master's Degree in Physical Sciences
Students of IT might be interested in finding all the courses in IT given by the relevant departments of both science universities in Turku (University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University) in a common database proposed by Turku Centre for Computer Science (TUCS). If a student of UTU is interested in participating in courses at ÅA or TSE, please fill in an application form/study plan for this purpose (more information on http://www.utu.fi/en/studying/apply/non-degree/index.html), and submit it to the International Office.
Course schedules
Course timetables should be published by the Departments in charge of the teaching two weeks before the start of the concerned teaching period, at the latest. Information about teaching can be obtained from http://www.sci.utu.fi/tdk/en/education/sguide/, the relevant teachers and the ECTS contact person at the relevant Department.
Other ways of studying in English
In addition to participating in courses it is possible to take exams based on material read independently (textbook exams). These exams are the same as those sat by the home students, except they are in English. Lists of the books can be consulted upon arrival in Turku with the academic contact person and professor responsible for each study module. Every month each Department organises 1-2 general examination sessions (to which students may sign up one week earlier at the latest) to take an exam they have studied for independently.
It is also possible to earn credits by writing essays or doing project work. However, these possibilities are organised upon agreement with the academic staff. To find out more information about these study options, please contact the academic contact person at the relevant Department.
In many subject areas it is also possible to work in laboratories on a full-time basis (a kind of work placement). There are research groups willing to welcome exchange students to work with the group as part of their studies. The basic requirement for this option is at least two years of studies in a relevant field of study and basic laboratory skills acquired. In order to work on such projects, please contact the contact person at the relevant Department prior to arrival in Turku as this kind of work placement needs to be agreed upon well beforehand.
You can also choose some courses from Åbo Akademi University as long as at least 50% of your studies (number of courses) are at the University of Turku.
Academic year, semesters and teaching periods
At the University of Turku the academic year is divided into two semesters, which are in their turn divided into two teaching periods each (four in total).
The teaching periods for the academic year 2011 - 2012 are:
Autumn semester:
I period 29.8.2011 - 21.10.2011 (8 weeks)
II period 24.10.2011 - 23.12.2011 (9 weeks)
Spring semester:
III period 9.1.2012 - 9.3.2012 (9 weeks)
IV period 12.3.2012 – 25.5.2012 (11 weeks, no teaching around Easter on 5.-9.4.2012)
During the last week of the teaching period there should be no teaching, and usually the course examinations are arranged during this week. Examinations can also be arranged outside the teaching periods. Students can also register for general examination sessions, held once or twice a month, in order to pass a certain exam.
Please note that even if many courses follow the dates of the teaching periods, all courses do not. Some courses might be arranged as intensive courses and start in the middle of a teaching period, and for instance field courses can be arranged outside the teaching periods.
Contact
International Office
Turku School of Economics
Rehtorinpellonkatu 3
incoming@utu.fi