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The Aalto Doctoral Programme in Chemical Engineering comprises of 6 research fields confirmed by the Academic Committee of the School (Biotechnology, Bioproduct Technology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, and Processing of Materials). The research fields and supervising professors are listed here: /en/doctoral-education/research-fields-and-supervising-professors-school-of-chemical-engineering

Education objectives and intended learning outcomes of the programme

After completing the degree, the doctoral student is able to carry out independent and original academic research.

Doctoral education at 911������ is conducted within a multidisciplinary international academic community that provides opportunities for field-specific and multidisciplinary research, as well as for various forms of education and learning. High quality education, transferable skills training, and network-building ensure the development of doctoral students as independent researchers and experts of their research fields. The offered communication and language skills training supports the doctoral students to communicate about  their research in the national languages Finnish and Swedish.

The education prepares doctoral students for academic careers at top-level institutions. It provides competencies to pursue various career paths also outside of academia, for example working at demanding expert positions, or as entrepreneurs.

Doctoral degree is a requirement to serve as a thesis advisor for doctoral students and as examiner for a doctoral thesis.

Intended learning outcomes for General research studies

Depending on the studies chosen for this module, the doctoral student will be able to 

• to comprehend and conscientiously address the fundamental ethical and sustainability considerations associated with their research.
• choose and apply appropriate research methods to the research question at hand.
• adhere to the principles of responsible conduct of research (RCR) in both their research work and interactions within the research community.
• work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary and international environment, engaging with diverse stakeholders. 
• proficiently present their research in both scientific and professional settings. 
• identify, utilize and communicate their transferable skills, such as communication, interpersonal, project management, leadership and pedagogical skills, to work successfully in academic and other professional positions. 
• communicate professionally in the national language(s) and in English.

Intended learning outcomes for Research field studies

After completing this module, the doctoral student will be able to:

• demonstrate advanced discipline-specific knowledge. 
• identify essential research methods for their own research and apply them proficiently.
• disseminate research findings through relevant research forums and to the wider public.

Intended learning outcomes for Doctoral thesis

After successfully defending their thesis, doctoral students will demonstrate the ability to:

• plan, execute, and report on their research and manage their data in accordance with established standards of academic research.
• proficiently search for, critically evaluate, apply, and synthesize existing knowledge; formulate research questions. 
• employ scientific research methods to create new knowledge independently. 
• make syntheses and critical assessments required for addressing and resolving complex problems in the realms of research, innovation, and societal challenges.

General research studies prepare students for research work, the application of research results and to learn the principles of responsible conduct of research. General research studies can include transferrable skill studies.

Research field studies and doctoral thesis help students to gain comprehensive and in-depth knowledge of their research field and prepares them for the dissemination of research findings. 

In addition to the courses taught at the School in Chemical Engineering, the degree can include other courses taught in 911������ or other universities, as agreed in the doctoral personal study plan of the student (DPSP).

The licentiate degree consists of an approved licentiate thesis and the same 30 ECTS of studies as for the doctoral degree. Licentiate degree can be obtained if the student has been granted doctoral degree study right for Doctoral Programme of Chemical Engineering.

• * These are independent online courses, to be completed at findocnet.fi in English, Finnish or Swedish. Registration by email to udes@aalto.fi. More information at aalto.fi.

• ** These are independent studies, to be agreed with the supervising professor and completed in the agreed timeframe in English, Finnish or Swedish. More information /en/programmes/aalto-doctoral-programme-in-chemical-engineering/frames-and-approved-instructions-for-study-credits

  PED-9011	A! Peda Intro	5	tba
  CHEM-L2021	Academic advising of bachelor's thesis I **	1	any
  CHEM-L2022	Academic advising of bachelor's thesis II **	1	any
  CHEM-L2023	Academic advising of bachelor's thesis III **	1	any
  CHEM-L2024	Academic advising of master's thesis I **	2-5	any
  CHEM-L2025	Academic advising of master's thesis II **	2-5	any
  CHEM-L2031	Teaching at higher education I **	1-5	any
  CHEM-L2032	Teaching at higher education II **	1-5	any

  Other pedagogical studies available /en/services/aalto-university-pedagogical-training-for-faculty

  Doctoral degree in Chemical Engineering may include at total of 6 ECTS of Finnish and Swedish language courses from 911������ Language Centre starting from level A1. Equally the doctoral students with advanced proficiency in Finnish and Swedish may include academic presentation and writing courses to their degree study plan in total of 6 ECTS.

  Other language and communication related courses /en/language-and-communication-studies/teaching

Elective courses for research field studies

These may contain a wide variety of forms of study, conventional courses for doctoral students, summer and winter schools arranged by 911������ or other universities. With your supervising professor's approval, a few master's level courses can be considered part of these studies.

Department's/ Research fields' / Major's seminars and courses

CHEM-L2010 Cellulose Chemistry, summer, English

CHEM-L2170 Unit Operations in Paper and Board Finishing and Converting. I-V, English

CHEM-L2240 Ultrathin Films of Soft Materials, 2027-2028 IV, English

CHEM-L2250 Advanced Electrochemistry, 5 ECTS, IV-V, English

Discuss with supervising professor which individually tailored studies such as examinations based on pre-set scientific literature or text books are essential for your researcher education. Also reports or seminar presentation based on reading and reviewing the scientific publications etc. are important study methods. 

Literature I **

Literature II **

See more instructions /en/programmes/aalto-doctoral-programme-in-chemical-engineering/frames-and-approved-instructions-for-study-credits

The doctoral thesis is written on a topic related to the research field that the doctoral student has chosen and that has been approved by the doctoral programme committee of the School of CHEM and the supervising professor. Doctoral thesis for the Doctoral Progamme in Chemical Engineering must meet the criteria and follow the instructions of the Doctoral Progremme Committee /en/programmes/aalto-doctoral-programme-in-chemical-engineering/chem-instructions-for-doctoral-thesis

The approval of the thesis includes a public defence after a pre-examination process. 

Intended learning outcomes of doctoral thesis

After successfully defending their thesis, doctoral students will demonstrate the ability to:

• plan, execute, and report on their research and manage their data in accordance with established standards of academic research.
• proficiently search for, critically evaluate, apply, and synthesize existing knowledge; formulate research questions; and employ scientific research methods to create new knowledge. 
• independently carry out research that generates novel insights and theoretical advancements in their own field of research.
• make syntheses and critical assessments required for addressing and resolving complex problems in the realms of research, innovation, and societal challenges.

A doctoral thesis is a public document and is kept for public display at the university. All thesis works are public in Finland (law 621/1999). 

The licentiate thesis is written on a topic related to the student's chosen research field, which must have been approved by the supervising professors and the doctoral programme committee of the school. The approval of the lic. thesis includes the presentation of the thesis at the department after an examination process. The author's contribution to the research work, related results and writing must be axplained in detail.

After successfully completing their licentiate thesis, doctoral students will demonstrate the ability to:

• discuss and present knowledge at expert level related to the filed of research
• independently and critically apply scientific research methods.

The degree structure of the programme in Sisu also includes a module called "Extracurriculum studies". This module will not be included in the doctoral degree, but it can be used to register for courses which the doctoral student wishes to take in addition to their degree studies.

These can be e.g.

Finnish as a foreign language: Finnish as a second language | 911������ With LC courses you can have Finnish language minor of 15 ECTS

Swedish as a foreign language minor can be combined from various sources (Aalto LC and Open University) Swedish | 911������

LC-5011 Ruotsia kansainvälisille opiskelijoille 1, 3 op, sekä Kielikeskuksen että Avoimen tarjonnassa OPS-kaudella 2026–2028

LC-5012 Ruotsia kansainvälisille opiskelijoille 2, 3 op, sekä Kielikeskuksen että Avoimen tarjonnassa OPS-kaudella 2026–2028

LC-5013 Ruotsia kansainvälisille opiskelijoille 3, 3 op, pelkästään Avoimen tarjonnassa OPS-kaudella 2026–2028

LC-5014 Ruotsia kansainvälisille opiskelijoille 4, 3 op, pelkästään Avoimen tarjonnassa OPS-kaudella 2026–2028

LC-5015 Ruotsia kansainvälisille opiskelijoille 5, 3 op, pelkästään Avoimen tarjonnassa OPS-kaudella 2026–2028

Language and communication courses for doctoral students: /en/language-and-communication-studies/language-and-communication-courses-for-doctoral-students

Other language and communication studies: /en/language-and-communication-studies/teaching

Researcher and working life skills: /en/doctoral-education/doctoral-courses-and-curriculum#2-researcher-and-transferable-skills-courses