Dear all,

It has just been brought to my attention that the departmental web pages for the Pro Gradu project are several years out of date and that it still says a 5 month project. This changed to 6 months in the new system a number of years ago (it is correctly listed in opinto-opas and in all the presentations you should have had). The web pages will be updated ASAP.

Also just to remind you all:

1) A Pro Gradu study plan must be approved BEFORE you start the work. I coordinate this so send them to me. Free format, but must include your name, email, supervisors name, place where you will do the work, proposed start date and then 1-2 sides of A4 detail on the project.

2) In the new system you must have completed the BSc works and 30op of MSc level studies before you can start the Pro Gradu. You are advised however to leave the Pro Gradu project to the end of the MSc.

3) The 6 month deadline for lab work is strict. You cannot include anything in your thesis from beyond that time. You can carry on working on the project but it can't go in your thesis. There is a system in place to grant extensions e.g. holiday, sickness, essential equipment breaks down etc. Write a BRIEF letter to me (two lines is usually sufficient) saying why you want an extension and signed by the student and supervisor. You cannot do any work during the signed off period i.e. if a piece of essential equipment breaks down and you want to claim an extension you can't do any other work for the project during that time. Christmas holidays effectively everyone takes off (though their choice or lack of supervisors prescence) and so if your Pro Gradu goes off the Christmas holiday you get an automatic 1 week extension without filing an application for extension.

4) The 1 year deadline to hand in the thesis from when the project was started is strict. Note this is 1 year from when the project started => 6 months in lab + 6 month write up period.

5) Please make sure that you read the guidelines for the Pro Gradu thesis format AND the marking scheme. Over the past few years there seems to be a decrease in the quality of thesis presentation which in some cases results in lower grades. Presentation is important in science.

Any questions please email or drop in and see me.

VBW,

Lloyd