Doctoral programmes

Doctoral programme in Information and Systems

Information processing has become a core activity for the running of organisations, society at large and global development. Operations and events generate tremendous amounts of raw data, which is needed to provide information for different purposes through data analysis. Information processing, software and information systems are a crucial part of the running of contemporary society. Their development, however, is still highly challenging. Data analysis and information processing are founded in mathematics and mathematical research.

The aim of this doctoral programme is to provide training that prepares students for working as researchers in the research fields of the CIS research centre. These fields cover themes that include:

- Data analysis, data mining and statistical modelling, such as information theory, stochastic methods, machine learning, learning algorithms and computer-intensive methods.

- Mathematics and mathematical methods of data processing, including number theory, algebra, algebraic geometry, logics and finite model theory, algorithms and formal languages.

- Software, databases and data systems, including conceptual modelling, database design, data search, data systems design and utilisation in organisations, delivery chain and product information management, mass tailoring, software development, formal methods of software and information system development, and information systems in healthcare and industry.

Processing information and knowledge using the aforementioned methods is crucial to the increasing utilisation of ICT. Highly educated people are in demand in these areas of information sciences. The doctoral programme works closely with the CIS research centre and its research projects. The employment outlook is good for people holding doctorates in this field.

Doctoral programme in Information Studies and Interactive Media

The aim of this doctoral programme is to prepare students for operations in the specialised fields of information and interactive media research. The information studies view the ways in which information is acquired and used under different circumstances, and the organisation, mediation and storage of information. The aim is to develop concepts, methods and systems that enable information to be easily accessible and understandable by those who need it. The research focus areas are information retrieval, information seeking, and information and document management. The key themes of interactive media research are the analysis of media change and its possibilities, the questions of new media design and implementation, the cultures of use, and interactive media as part of society. Internet research, gaming research, research into an open information society and questions on the research and design of social media services are also priorities in the field of interactive media. Postgraduate studies are becoming more in demand as the information and media professions and research and development continue to evolve.

The doctoral education is founded on the sustained and domestically and internationally recognised teaching and research carried out in the field of information studies and interactive media. The doctoral programme enjoys a close connection with the TRIM research centre and the research projects carried out in the centre. Research evaluations have repeatedly assessed its level as very high (e.g., Academy of Finland, 2006: relative international visibility of information studies the third among Finnish fields of science). The University's 2004 research evaluation rated the SIS among its best schools. Compared with other education the same field, it can be rated as being on a leading national level and a high international level.

Research aptitudes developed in the information studies and interactive media doctoral programmes provide the prerequisites for creating knowledge on the content, use and development of ICT; the programme is closely linked with the research on the human-technology interaction as outlined in the University's strategy. It also clearly connects with the University's strategic outlines on researching important and topical social phenomena, and supporting pioneering and multidisciplinary approaches in research.

Doctoral programme in Interactive Technology

The doctoral programme in interactive technology prepares students for work as a researcher in demanding R&D positions in the field of human-technology interaction. Interactive technology is a decidedly multidisciplinary field that focuses on research and development in human-technology interaction, and presumes proficiency in the perspectives and research methods of the information, technology and human sciences. One of its key objectives is to innovate, research and develop new UI technologies so that they support natural human behaviour and enable versatile and fulfilling experiences to the best possible extent. Employment prospects for PhDs are good because the possibilities enabled by the technology and the ways in which they are used are constantly evolving and increasing.

The range of research methods is wide and studies can be undertaken with different qualifications. Holders of PhDs are well versed in the theories and methods of their own research traditions and the most common methods and considerations in the field. They can select the methods that are the best suited to their research questions.

R&D is closely related in interactive technology. The majority of doctoral graduates will work in companies and organisations outside the university.