Bachelor in Science

Get an interdisciplinary education that will enable you to work with basic research and application development in math & statistics, chemistry, computer & data science and physics.

Do you want to shape the future and understand how the universe is built up?

Our understanding of the universe is based on advances made in basic science research over approximately the last 100 years. The core scientific disciplines of math, physics, chemistry, and computer science also set the basis for all modern technology. In the interdisciplinary Bachelor's Program in Science, you get to work on the cutting edge of exciting basic research and application development in all of these subjects.

Studying

Bachelor's Programme in Science at the Faculty of Science is taught fully in English.

The programme is open for applications for anybody with a high school diploma including advanced math and physics or chemistry studies. The programme offers an interdisciplinary education. During the first half year, all students receive a foundation in university-level math and basic programming skills. After this, they can choose a specialization study track, with second- and third-year university-level courses offered in math and statistics, computer/data science, physics and chemistry. It is possible to either deepen the studies in one of these study tracks or to combine studies of two or three tracks to get a truly multidisciplinary education.

The Bachelor's Programme in Science offers an interdisciplinary education that will enable you to work on the cutting edge of exciting basic research and application development in

• math and statistics

• physics

• chemistry and

• computer/data science.

Kumpula campus, one of the four campuses at the University of Helsinki, is the largest centre in the Nordic countries for research in exact natural sciences. It is a dynamic study environment with a good sense of community. We put efforts into using a wide variety of teaching methods and developing these continuously. As a student, you get easily involved in research groups and active student organisations.

Why Bachelor's Programme in Science?

Our understanding of the universe and all modern technology is based on advances made in scientific research over approximately the last 100 years. The operation of computers and mobile phones relies fully on quantum mechanical principles, and the nature of matter in the universe has been unveiled by studies in particle physics, astronomy and cosmology. New exciting discoveries are constantly made and will affect our future. For instance, studies on quantum information combined with the development of new materials are just about to open up the doors for quantum computing, and the analysis by artificial intelligence of big data will lead to new ways to cure disease.

The Bachelor's Programme in Science offers an interdisciplinary education that will enable you to work on the cutting edge of exciting basic research and application development in

• math and statistics

• physics

• chemistry and

• computer/data science.

Student life

Student life and especially the student organisation culture is exceptionally rich and diverse in Finland. Also at the University of Helsinki, the student community is very active.

More than 250 student organisations operate within the Student Union of the University of Helsinki (HYY). The student organisations range from faculty and subject organisations to political and societal organisations, and from choirs and orchestras to sports and game clubs. Their activities include anniversary celebrations, academic dinner parties, cultural events, get-togethers and excursions.

As a student and member of the Student Union (HYY), you are entitled to many benefits and services. For example, affordable student housing, basic healthcare services, sports facilities and student-priced meals. You also get numerous discounts, for example on public transport fees across the country.

The Bachelor's Program in Science comprises 180 credits, which can be completed in three years, in accordance with an approved personal study plan. The degree includes:

• 15-30 credits of mandatory common studies in basic math, basic computer science, and statistics.
• 15 credits of transferable skills courses that help in orienting yourself towards working life, and a group work course introducing modern science topics studied at the Faculty.
• 10 credits of language studies, comprising 4 credits of academic English and 6 credits of basic courses in Finnish or Swedish (for students with a matriculation exam from a high school with teaching in Finnish or Swedish, 3 credits of Finnish and 3 credits of Swedish at an advanced level).
• 60-105 credits of basic and subject study courses.
• 10 credits of a final seminar (4 cr) and bachelor's thesis (6 credits).
• 35-50 credits of other courses according to your study track and personal study plan.

The program includes on the BSc level a thesis of 6 credits, which is a short (about 15–20 pages) literature study on a timely subject written following scientific standards and referencing practice.

Courses and teach­ing

Bachelor's Program in Science has four study tracks: chemistry, computer and data science, mathematics and physics. You can select any of these study tracks according to your preferences at the beginning of your studies. The track determines which courses you should take.

Chemistry

In the chemistry study track, you get an education about the fundamental concepts and modern experimental methods of chemistry, related to an understanding of nature and the role of science and new technologies in society in the future. Bioeconomics, circular economy, novel energy sources, food production, clean water, and air, as well as health care set challenges that require a strong knowledge of chemistry.

After the common basic and subject studies (60 cr), you can choose courses that start to direct your studies towards one of the optional chemistry-related master's programs:

• the Master’s Program in Chemistry and Molecular Sciences,
• the Master’s Program in Materials Research,
• the Master’s Program in Theoretical and Computational Methods, or
• the Master’s Program in Atmospheric Sciences.

By combining chemistry with mathematics, physics or computer science you can also direct yourself to the master’s programs of those disciplines. After completing the BSc degree, you can also apply to master’s programs in other universities in Finland or abroad.

Com­puter and data science

The students in the study track of computer and data science acquire the skills to build modern software both by doing hands-on exercises and projects and by studying the fundamental ideas underlying how computers work and how they can be used efficiently. They also get an introduction to the new possibilities created by artificial intelligence and the analysis of large masses of data.

Studies in mathematics are a necessary foundation for the more advanced concepts in computer science, in particular going beyond the bachelor's level. Students graduating from the study track of computer and data science can continue in

• the Master's Programme in Computer Science or
• the Master's Programme in Data Science.

Mathematics and statistics

The mathematics study track emphasizes mathematics as a science of its own. It offers an introduction both to the key concepts and methods of modern mathematics as well as a wider view of the exact world of mathematics, studying exactly defined concepts and the properties and relationships that emerge among these. In addition, the elective module offers an introduction to the basics of statistical modelling, inference and computation. The study track offers a solid ground for continuing higher-level studies in mathematics and statistics. Depending on the optional studies chosen, the track directs the students towards either

• the world of pure mathematics or mathematical statistics, with research questions arising from within theoretical settings, or towards
• applied mathematics or statistics where mathematical and statistical tools are used to solve questions arising in other areas such as the physical world around us.

The study track gives the required prerequisites for continuing studies in

• the Master's Programme in Mathematics and Statistics.

Including studies in computer science also makes the student eligible to continue in

• the Master’s Programme in Life Science Informatics or
• the Master’s Programme in Data Science.

Including courses in physics or chemistry allows for studies in

• the Master’s Programme in Theoretical and Computational Methods.

Phys­ics

In the physics study track, you get

• an education about the classical and quantum mechanical foundations of modern physics and
• a view on how this knowledge relates to the modern understanding of the nature of the universe and new technologies.

After the common basic and subject studies (60 cr), you can choose courses that start to direct the studies towards one of the master's programmes in which you can continue:

• the Master’s Program in Particle Physics and Astrophysical Sciences,
• the Master’s Program in Materials Research (which includes nanoscience and biophysics) and
• the Master’s Program in Theoretical and Computational Methods.

By combining physics and mathematics studies, you can also direct your studies towards

• the Master’s Program in Theoretical and Computational Methods,

By combining physics and chemistry towards

• the Master’s Program in Physical Chemistry, and

By combining physics and computer science studies towards

• the Master’s Program in Data Science.

Graduates of the programme have excellent employment opportunities in Finland and EU countries in areas such as IT companies, nanoscience, and chemical industries.