Dear students of the Faculty of Science,

On behalf of the Faculty of Science, I want to tell you about a couple of
current issues concerning students.

Educational development goes on despite of the financially challenging times
the university is living in. In the new strategic plan
(at http://strategia.helsinki.fi/en/) the focus will be on the students. In
practice, this refers to even more competitive degrees and broader student
opportunitites for participating in teaching and research.

The Faculty of Science is at the front line in the education reform Big
wheel, in which the teaching and studies are re-designed as Bachelor's and
Master's programmes. We are going to have seven Bachelor's programmes and 13
Master's programmes. The new programmes are going to start on August 1,
2017. Current students can change to the new programmes or continue their
studies in the current curricula until July 31st, 2017. In the new
programmes, flexibility is emphasized. After each of the Bachelor's
programmes it is possible to choose from a variety of Master's programmes.
You'll find additional information about the Big wheel in English in Flamma
at https://flamma.helsinki.fi/en/iso-pyora. There are student
representatives in all working groups preparing the education reform at the
faculty, and we have also discussed the big picture with students in events
organized by the faculty organization Matlu. A general information event
will be organized on Thursday April 21, 2016 at 1pm-3pm in Physicum D101.
Since the renewal mainly concerns our bachelor's students, this event
is held in Finnish, but you can ask questions in English during or
after the event.

Also the study services will be re-organized before the beginning of the new
academic year. It is important for us to ensure such study counseling and
services that support the needs for fluent studies. An electronic exam room
where you can take exams at your own pace will be taken to use even in
Kumpula. This gives you additional flexibility in designing your studies.

In the financial model of the Ministry of Education and Culture, large
weight is put on the numbers of taken degrees and students taking at the
minimum 55 credit units per study year. I hope you take this into account
and design your studies in such way that you receive the 55 CU and graduate
in recommended time. In addition to Master's degrees, the faculty is also
rewarded for Bachelor's degrees. Therefore it is important that you request
your diploma immediately after taken all the courses included in the degree.
Procrastinating with the Bachelor's degree is not worthwhile even from the
study grant perspective; the grant for the Master's studies is permitted
only after the Bachelor's degree is taken. As a small, symbolic gesture of
respect, the faculty gives badges to all students who receive the required
55 CUs during this academic year!

Remember that you have the opportunity for summer studies free of charge at
the Open university! You'll find additional information in English at
https://www.helsinki.fi/en/open-university.

With study-improvement greetings,

Kai Nordlund

Vice dean of teaching