SCI Master's Thesis Guide 2024

1. Make sure you meet the prerequisites for filling in the basic starting information in MyStudies 

When you have at least a preliminary topic idea in mind, fill in the basic starting information in MyStudies. Filling in the basic starting information is the first step in starting your thesis process and a prerequisite for applying for official supervisor, topic, and advisor approval in the next step.

> Where to find a (preliminary) thesis topic?

• The thesis topics vary, and they can originate either from the needs of businesses, industries, or the academic community. If your topic originates from the needs of the business, usually they want you to have an advisor from their organization. It is also possible to write the thesis on your own topic without funding, i.e., your thesis is not done by a company or university research group. 
• Aalto JobTeaser has open master's thesis positions and topics available. Take a look at the webpages of the departments, companies, and organizations. 
• Thesis Fair on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, is an event for (international) students looking for topics and organizations looking for master's thesis workers.
• Aaltodoc is a place where you can find inspiration - there are all the finished theses made by SCI students. 
• CS Tuutti Newsletter posts open thesis positions in the Department of Computer Science. 

> To fill in the starting information in MyStudies and apply for supervisor, topic and advisor approval, you need to:

• be enrolled as an attending student and
• know your preliminary topic idea and 
• have checked that you have added the master's thesis (diplomityö, XX.thes) and maturity essay (kypsyysnäyte, abstract, XXX.matr) to your personal study plan (HOPS) in Sisu with the right codes. 
  • Your master's thesis course code (XX.thes) depends on the department/school of your supervisor. 
  • Your maturity essay code (XXX.matr) depends on the school of your supervisor.

You can also have a supervisor and/or advisor(s) agreed, but these are not mandatory. This means that if you have tried to find a supervisor, but have not found one yet, you can fill in the basic starting information and submit the application in MyStudies without a supervisor. If you leave the supervisor-field empty, programme director appoints a supervisor for your thesis.

2. Fill in the basic starting information in MyStudies Thesis-tab 

1. Go to MyStudies Thesis-tab and select English as a site language. 
2. Fill in the needed basic starting information in MyStudies Thesis –tab by clicking "Update Thesis data & submit for Supervisor Approval"
3. On Additional Information tab: Please provide additional information here if  
   • you have agreed on the thesis with your supervisor. 
   • you are doing the thesis for a minor.
   • your supervisor is from another school in Aalto (other than SCI).
4. If you are not yet ready to start actively working on your thesis, you can leave the page. All the data you have saved is retained and you can continue filling it in next time from where you left off last time.

3. If you are ready to start actively working on your thesis, apply for supervisor, topic, and advisor approval in MyStudies by clicking "Submit for supervisor approval".