Dear all,

Just to remind students, tutors and potential supervisors of a few things regarding the Pro Gradu:

1) All students who started their MSc after 1^st August 2017 are on the new variable length Pro Gradu. The minimum experimental time is 3 months, the maximum experimental time is 3 months + 18 weeks. Students, please discuss how long an experimental period is planned with your supervisor. The length should be mentioned on the study plan and it should be planned carefully with how many other studies are taken in the MSc (to end up with the 120 op for the MSc).

2) Whatever the length of the experimental part of the project, the thesis must be submitted within one year of the start date. We recommend that students write up methods and results as they go along.

3) We strongly recommend that students do not start their Pro Gradu until after they have finished all (or at least most) of their taught courses. Trying to do a Pro Gradu in parallel with taught courses usually means students end up pulling 80 hour weeks for an extended period to the detriment of both taught studies AND the Pro Gradu. Finishing the MSc quickly with poorer grades will not help student future careers.

4) Students are not allowed to start their Pro Gradu before they have completed 30op of MSc studies

5) We recommend that students undertake their final Orientation in the group in which they intend to do their Pro Gradu (to familiarize themselves with the group and techniques). Results from the Orientation cannot be included in the Pro Gradu, so plan the Orientation training carefully.

6) A research study plan must be accepted BEFORE the experimental part starts. The plan should be sent at least 2 weeks before the planned start date. Please use student.oulu email addresses to send this as gmail/yahoo etc emails sometimes do not arrive.

There will be an info session in January for students on what to look for in choosing a Pro Gradu place.

Best wishes,

Lloyd