Topic outline

  • CS-L9000 - Introduction to doctoral studies in computer science

    Welcome to CS-L9000 Introduction to doctoral studies in computer science!

    This is an introductory course on doctoral studies, research skills, and academic life in computer science (3 ECTS). The course is obligatory for all new doctoral students (admitted as of 1 August 2022 or later) at the Department of Computer Science.

    The course aims to:

    • familiarise doctoral students with the CS department and build opportunities for peer-support during doctoral studies
    • strengthen doctoral education in computer science. The course will lead doctoral students towards independence in key aspects of research and academic life, for example in scientific writing, oral presentation, science communication, research ethics, career planning etc.
    • support the wellbeing of every doctoral student, and to ensure that the supervision relationship works and working conditions are favourable. If any problems occur in the doctoral thesis project, they will be identified early enough, and the department will provide help if needed.

    The course consists of three parts:

    • Part I: Doctoral support programme (Welcome info, doctoral seminars, and supervisory committee meetings)
    • Part II: CS Research (3-4 lectures and a seminar participation)
    • Part III: Participation in department activities and trainings
    The course can be completed quite flexibly, but should be completed within the first two years of the doctoral studies. Students are responsible for keeping track of their own course activities and reporting them as instructed.

    Suggested timing:
    • First half a year of studies: welcome info, first doctoral seminar & first supervisory committee meeting, (part of) the compulsory lectures and some free-choice activities
    • Second half of your first year: (rest of) the compulsory lectures and free-choice activities
    • Second year of studies: second doctoral seminar & second supervisory committee meeting, any remaining free-choice activities
    The idea is that in addition to the common parts, every doctoral researcher can choose individually the trainings and course assignments in part III that are most useful and interesting to them.

    Note: This course is also open to doctoral researchers who have started their studies before August 2022. If you have started your studies before the doctoral seminars and supervisory group process was established at the department and have not taken part in these activities, you are welcome to complete the course as 2 ECTS covering only the parts on CS Research and department activities/trainings.

    Enrolling and completing the course
    Note, you do not need to enroll in this course in Sisu. Instead, new doctoral students are automatically added to this MyCourses -workspace. After that, you can start planning your schedule for completing the course (see 'suggested timing' above).
    Once you have completed all parts, contact course administrators (cs-doctoral-studies@aalto.fi) to get your credits registered to Sisu. Before contacting the course administrator, please check that you’ve completed each task and returned all required reports accordingly. The course administrators will check the assignment boxes and credits will be registered for students who have completed them.

    Basic course information in Sisu.