Studying

The Master’s Programme in Theoretical and Computational methods will give you a strong basis in the theoretical methods, modelling, and mathematical and numerical analysis within physics, mathematics, chemistry, computer science, and life sciences.

The special feature of this programme is that you can combine the above disciplines into a comprehensive syllabus by tailoring a suitable combination according to your plans and existing knowledge in cooperation with the programme professors. However, this requires also a genuine commitment from you to develop your own skills and plan your degree.

The strong scientific emphasis of the programme makes it a natural gateway to further studies in physics, mathematics, chemistry, and computer science.

Why Theoretical and Computational Methods?

The Master’s Programme in Theoretical and Computational Methods has an exceptionally great scope. The programme consists of several course packages in physics, mathematics, chemistry, and computer science.

Upon completing the Master’s Programme in Theoretical and Computational Methods, you will:

  • Have a solid basis of skills in your chosen scientific field(s),
  • Have good skills in analytical and computational thinking and deduction,
  • Be able to apply theoretical and computational methods to the analysis and understanding of problems in various fields,
  • Be able to generalise information on scientific phenomena, and identify underlying  relationships,
  • Be able to create mathematical models of natural phenomena, and
  • Be able to solve these models, both analytically and numerically, including the use of high-performance computing.

As a graduate of this Master’s programme, you can work as an expert in many kinds of scientific jobs across the private and the public sectors. The employment rate in this field is good.

The programme’s particular scientific emphasis makes it a natural gateway to further studies in physics, mathematics, chemistry, and computer science. This will usually take place within one of the research groups working on the Kumpula campus.

Language of instruction

The programme is multi-lingual. Instruction is given in English, but the courses and assignments can also be done in Finnish or Swedish.

Structure and content

The scope of the programme is 120 credits (ECTS), and it is possible to complete the degree in two academic years. The degree includes:

  • 90 credits of courses in the Master’s programme, including the Master’s thesis of 30 credits (Advanced studies)
  • 30 credits of other courses from your Master’s programme or other programmes (Other studies)

You can find in the Studies service.

The programme consists of several course packages in physics, mathematics, chemistry, and computer science. Your studies are based on you develop with your academic mentor, which helps you in future career planning. 

In addition, the other studies could include and complementary courses either in the field of your studies or in a completely new subject.

Studying in this programme requires a genuine commitment from you to develop your own skills and plan your degree. You can tailor your studies according to your existing knowledge and interests in cooperation with an academic mentor, one of the programme professors. Your personal study plan will ensure that your courses form a functional and coherent combination.

The programme provided me with extreme freedom in designing my personal course mixture from the offerings throughout the Faculty of Science.
Courses and teaching

The special feature of this programme is its great scope; it consists of several course packages in physics, mathematics, chemistry, computer science and data science:

  • Algebraic and Topological Methods
  • Applied Mathematics, Inverse Problems and Mathematics of Imaging
  • Atmospheric Sciences
  • Chemistry
  • Computer Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics and Materials/Biophysics
  • Data Science
  • Functional Analysis and Spectral Theory
  • Mathematical Physics
  • Particle Physics and Cosmology
  • Programming and Numerical Methods
  • Quantum Computing and Quantum Information
  • Quantum Physics
  • Space Physics
  • Stochastic Analysis

See in the Studies service. 

can be found in the Studies service. Make sure that the correct programme is selected on the drop-down menu. The final syllabus will be published in .

The courses include group and lecture instruction, exercises, literature, and workshops. Most courses also include exams or project assignments. In addition, you can complete some courses independently by taking exams.

Instruction is given in English, but the courses and assignments can also be done in Finnish or Swedish.

You can check out courses in the online course catalogue for University of Helsinki students. Please note that some courses are not taught every academic year. Finnish courses are offered for international students.

Master's thesis

The degree contains a Master’s thesis that will demonstrate your:

  • ability for scientific thinking,
  • command of scientific methods,
  • mastery of the topic of your thesis, and
  • aptitude for scientific communication.

The scope of the Master’s thesis is 30 credits. It is often written in one of the research groups of the Faculty, so you will become familiar with top research during your Master’s studies. Thesis projects are a natural gateway to postgraduate studies.

International scope and co-operation with other parties

As a Master’s degree student, you can select studies both from your own faculty and from the other faculties at the university. Thanks to the contracts for cross-institutional studies, you can also take certain courses at other universities in Finland, so it will be easy to tailor your degree to your own interests and career goals.

The Master’s Programme in Theoretical and Computational Methods has special educational collaboration with in the field of Quantum Science and Technology. Both universities offer a comprehensive list of quantum-related courses available to the students of the other institution, and in the Master’s Programme in Theoretical and Computational Methods, it is possible to flexibly combine the Aalto courses in your degree. This gives you a unique possibility to combine studies in theoretical quantum sciences with courses in quantum technologies. Some of the programme courses are also organised in cooperation with Aalto University.

You can also participate in research projects in your field while you are studying. Writing your Master’s thesis in cooperation with a corporation or research organisation is also a good way to improve your working-life skills or get first-hand experience of working in an international research project. The programme has close collaboration with , , , and .

The programme maintains contacts with its alumni within the corporate sector. You can develop your own business concepts at the university’s entrepreneurship courses and at , which is a new kind of communal meeting point for students and researchers interested in starting their own business, as well as for entrepreneurs in different fields.

Student life

Student life and especially the student organisation culture is exceptionally rich and diverse in Finland.

At the University of Helsinki, more than 250 student organisations operate within the Student Union of the University of Helsinki (HYY), ranging from faculty and subject organisations to political and societal organisations, and from choirs and orchestras to sports and game clubs. Their activities include anniversary celebrations, academic dinner parties, cultural events, get-togethers and excursions.

Students in Finland are also entitled to many benefits and services. For example, affordable student housing, low-cost sports services and student-priced meals. You also get numerous discounts, for example, on public transport fees across the country.

Kumpula Campus

As a student in this Master's Programme, you will spend most of your time at the Kumpula Campus, one of the four campuses at the University of Helsinki, and the home of the Faculty of Science.

Kumpula Campus, dedicated to research and teaching in the exact natural sciences, comprises one of the largest clusters of scientific competence in the Nordic countries. The broad nature of the disciplines and vibrant international connections offer an inspirational atmosphere, a solid basis for interdisciplinary collaboration and an active and creative scientific community of researchers and students.

More about the programme