Teaching at the University of Helsinki is based on research and provided by researchers well-versed in their discipline, teaching the topics of their research.
In addition to relevant research-based knowledge, university education utilises diverse teaching and assessment methods promoting students’ learning, the development of scholarly thinking and the establishment of expertise.
From the beginning of their studies, students are part of the academic community. They get to familiarise themselves with the latest research. In many fields, students have the opportunity to complete their thesis in collaboration with research groups.
The operation of computers and mobile phones relies fully on quantum mechanical principles, and the nature of matter in the universe has been unveiled by studies in particle physics, astronomy and cosmology. New exciting discoveries are constantly made and will affect our future. For instance, studies on quantum information combined with the development of new materials are just about to open up the doors for quantum computing, and the analysis by artificial intelligence of big data will lead to new ways to cure disease.
The Faculty of Science has a strong basic research profile in modern math, statistics, computer science, physical sciences, chemistry, and geosciences. The research is carried out in very close collaboration with numerous international partners and Big Science research institutions, and the departments are regularly ranked within the top-100 ones in the world in their disciplines. At the same time, the faculty has close contacts and joint projects with both major international companies and local medium-sized and startup enterprises.
The teaching in the BSc programme in Science is done by professors and senior scientists who are also all high-level research scientists. Hence the teaching involves examples from the very latest developments in science and technology.
At the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, the research focuses on geometric analysis and measure theory, analysis in metric spaces, partial differential equations, functional analysis, harmonic analysis, mathematical physics, stochastics, inverse problems, mathematical logic and set theory, biomathematics, time series analysis, biometry, econometry, psychometrics and social statistics. The programme is part of two Centres of Excellence: Randomness and Structures (FiRST) and Inverse Modelling and Imaging.
Research at the Department of Physics focuses on scientifically important current topics. The Department’s strong fields of research include
The Department of Chemistry is the leading hub of chemistry teaching and research in Finland. The Department’s research is internationally recognised and is carried out within three research programmes:
The Materials chemistry research programme includes research relevant to the semiconductor industry, modern polymer science and nanoparticle catalysis.
In the Molecular science programme you can focus on research related to atmospheric chemistry, laser spectroscopy, radiochemistry or theoretical/computational chemistry.
The Synthesis and analysis programme focuses on using catalysis to obtain more efficient synthetic pathways for organic chemistry, and on developing new analytical methods for the needs of environmental chemistry.
Research in computer science focuses on bioinformatics, data analysis, data science, discrete and machine learning algorithms, as well as distributed, intelligent and interactive systems. We also study software and database systems, big data, artificial intelligence, information networks and data security. We engage in research collaboration with other universities and businesses in the field.
The Department of Geosciences and Geography is a multidisciplinary unit that conducts research in both natural sciences and social sciences. Our internationally recognised, high-quality research is supported by our modern laboratories and research stations. The research in geosciences and geography is divided into four research programmes:
Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR) is a multi- and interdisciplinary research unit based in physics, chemistry, meteorology, forest sciences, environmental sciences and social sciences in the University of Helsinki. INAR aims to strengthen the internationally leading, integrated multidisciplinary research and education environment for atmospheric and Earth system science and to feed in scientific results for the national and international environment and climate policy. It performs multiscale research from molecular to global scale and focuses on climate change, air quality, biogeochemical cycles and ecosystem processes. INAR has INAR Finland Network partners in Finnish Meteorological Institute, University of Eastern Finland and Tampere University.