Dear third year students,

Optino-opas for the new MSc level courses is currently at faculty and as soon as it is approved we will post it on our web site for info.

As you are all aware under the new system you don't do a continuous 200ov masters degree, but rather a 3 year BSc and a 2 year MSc. As I understand the faculty rules once accepted onto the BSc you have the automatic right to transfer to the MSc level studies at the same department and you do not have to do anything for the transfer.

I am currently processing applications from Finland and abroad for places on our MSc level courses and it would be useful to know what choice you will be making. We offer two MSc degrees, Protein Science and Biotechnology (all teaching in English) and Molecular and Cellular Biology (teaching in Finnish and English). These share two compulsory courses (Protein Chemistry II and Molecular Biology II) and also have a couple of joint optional courses e.g. Systems Biology. In addition there is enough flexibility in the system for students to take whichever course from either degree strand and have them count towards their degree. Accordingly we do not require students to decide which degree strand they want to follow when they start and even when a student chooses it is possible to freely swap. It all depends on which courses you chose to study and on the topic of your Pro Gradu (and dissertation if you chose this optional course).

It would be useful though to know your current feelings for which degree strand you plan to go for so that we can have some idea of expected student numbers.

I would be very grateful if you plan to start the MSc in the next academic year if you could email me stating one of the following options:

I will take Protein Science and Biotechnology
I am more likely to take Protein Science and Biotechnology
I will take Molecular and Cellular Biology
I am more likely to take Molecular and Cellular Biology
I am undecided which I will take but I will be doing a MSc in the department
I plan to do a MSc at another department (if you have definite plans please state where)

None of this is binding in any way, it is purely for us to get an idea of numbers and to plan accordingly.

Best wishes,

Lloyd