University of Turku

Master's Degree Programme in Exact Sciences: Mathematics and Statistics

Program Structure

The structure of the program is modular and each specialization track has three obligatory modules that contain the core material of the field. These include the MSc thesis (30 ECTS), lecture and exercise courses, seminars, laboratory work, internship or project work, details of which depend on the specialization. In addition, there is one thematic module that may be chosen to support your own study plan. The fourth module consists of freely chosen courses and an obligatory Finnish language and culture course (5 ECTS).

Mathematics as a main subject: For the first obligatory module in mathematics (20 ECTS), you can choose either the Mathematics Module or the Applied Mathematics Module. The Mathematics Module contains courses e.g. in discrete mathematics, theoretical computer science, machine learning, number theory, and analysis. In the Applied Mathematics Module, there are courses e.g. of optimization, mathematical modeling, insurance mathematics, and machine learning, too.

The second obligatory module in mathematics (20 ECTS) includes special courses from the Mathematics and Applied Mathematics Module. So you can choose to further deepen your studies only in mathematics or in applied mathematics or widen your degree to contain studies in both of these fields.

And the third module in mathematics contains the Master&rsquo's Thesis (30 ECTS) and 10 ECTS freely selected courses in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics Modules.

Statistics as a main subject: The first obligatory module in statistics is the Statistical Inference Module (20 ECTS) which contains the central principles of frequentist and Bayesian reasoning and, in addition, you learn to apply computationally intensive methods in the aforementioned contexts.

The second obligatory module in statistics can be chosen to be either Econometrics Module (20 ECTS), Biometrics Module (20 ECTS) or General Statistics Module (20 ECTS). According to the title of the modules, these deepen your knowledge in one of the specific branches.

The third module in statistics contains the Master&rsquo's Thesis (30 ECTS), Thesis Seminar, and a course in statistical modeling.

You are free to choose the thematic module from those offered in the program or faculty or take a suitable minor subject, even one offered by other faculties. Thematic modules offered by this program include the Cryptography Module and, in addition, it is possible to choose a core module in mathematics as a thematic module for statistics and vice versa. In the other studies module, you can choose any courses you want from the entire offering of the university in addition to the obligatory “ Finnish for foreigners” course.

Master's Thesis and Topics

The Master&rsquo's degree program includes a compulsory thesis component (30 ECTS), which corresponds to six months of full-time work. The thesis is to be written up as a report. In Mathematics the thesis topics are mainly literature review and the focus is on presentation and understanding of the topic. In Statistics, the master theses typically contain theoretical and empirical parts where a suitable statistical method is first introduced and then applied to a concrete dataset.

The topics of Masters&rsquo's thesis are mainly from the fields of research of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics and from the fields of special courses given.

The Master of Science degree provides the skills to work in many different kinds of positions within areas such as research and development, education, and industry. The specialization track in Mathematics and Statistics provides especially good opportunities for working in research and development positions in academia and industry, as well as working as an expert on data and software oriented companies and services.

The prospects for employment at relatively senior levels are excellent for those trained in the physical, chemical, and mathematical sciences and statistics. Thanks to the broad scope of the program, the skills, and knowledge developed as part of this education at the University of Turku provide many employment opportunities in different areas.

As a mathematician or statistician, you can either go on for further studies for a career in academics or be hired by the industry or companies in a wide range of specializations, from data-analytics, software, and data engineering, financial and insurance sector, mathematical modeling, statistics, biostatistics.