Welcome to study Engineering Physics and Mathematics or Quantum Technology!
The Engineering Physics and Mathematics (TFM) study programme offers the applicant a possibility to study physics or mathematics in the middle ground of science and engineering. In essence, the teaching focuses on fundamental basic science and is more theoretical than other fields of engineering. The objective is to give the student all the necessary skills for challenging and diverse jobs in different fields of research, product development, and economics. On the other hand, compared to non-technical university studies in physics, the studies are closer to practical applications and the business world.
Quantum Technology (QT) is one of the majors in the Aalto Bachelor’s Programme in Science and Technology. It is a mix of quantum physics, mathematics, electrical engineering, and programming. These topics support and complement each other and provide the skills to work and specialise in the field of quantum technology. Like TFM, studies in QT and quite theoretical compared to other fields of engineering.
At the core of TFM studies is creating models as well as analyzing and further developing them. Depending on your major, this could mean researching new forms of energy, developing prediction models for stock prices, or even inventing new mathematical algorithms. Alternatively, in QT you will get to study and hone skills related to various areas of quantum technology, both in theory and practice. The know-how you will get from these majors is highly sought after both in research in mathematics and (quantum) physics, and on the business side in areas such as analytics, software development, and management consulting.
In the TFM bachelor’s degree, you can decide whether you will concentrate on physics, mathematics or operations research, and there are even more options for majors in the master’s degree programme. So, you can customize your degree completely according to your own interests. The QT bachelor’s degree allows for an even wider range of direct options for a master’s programme, so it is easy to specialize according to your interests.
The most important thing you will learn in this program is not any particular method in physics, mathematics, or systems analysis. Instead, you will get something much more valuable – problem-solving and application skills, an analytical mind, perseverance when facing challenging problems, and confidence in yourself and your ability to learn.tead, you get something much more useful – problem-solving and application skills, an analytical mind, perseverance in the face of challenging problems, and confidence in yourself and your ability to learn.
Guild of Physics
The Guild of Physics is the association for students in TFM and QT. It organizes various events, monitors students’ interests in the university world, and takes care of teaching student culture to new students. There is something for everyone in the guild, from dancing and acting to playing chess or partying with friends. More information about the Guild and all the possibilities it offers can be found in the latest Fuksi Guide.
Useful links (TFM): (unfortunately only in Finnish and Swedish)
Exact instruction for applying, and information about the entrance exam and previous years’ point requirements: dia.fi
You can find more official information on Aalto’s website
You can find the bachelor level programme structure and courses in the Student Guide
Useful links (QT):
Exact instruction for applying on Aalto’s website
You can find more official information on Aalto’s website
You can find the bachelor level programme structure and courses in the Student Guide
Greetings from students
“My journey into the Guild of Physics started already during my first year of high school when I became deeply interested in Aalto University’s Quantum Technology major program. It was then that I decided that this was the major I would for sure study, as it seemed like a modern and evolving field of technology that applied my favorite subjects, physics and mathematics. However, I was not yet aware that I would become a part of the Guild of Physics. In fact, the concept of a guild was still completely unfamiliar to me.
Starting from the very first day, I got to know the Guild of Physics, its community, and the general traditions of technology students. I remember how, after the first day, I felt warmly welcomed into the guild. All the guild members were extremely friendly and helpful to us little freshmen, and many first-year students, as well as senior students, shared the same interests, passion, and even sense of humor with me. As my freshman year progressed, guild activities and the people within the guild got even closer to my heart. I have found hobbies and new friends through the guild.
The first-year studies have at times been challenging and at other times rewarding. Especially for QT students, the first year mainly focuses on building a mathematical foundation for future major studies. We have, however, had some opportunities to explore topics in quantum technology. Based on everything so far, the topics are challenging to understand, but with enough perseverance and studying, they can be grasped. In difficult moments, you can also turn to fellow students and tackle problems together, which is by far the best part of studying here. In fact, the crowning feature of an international degree is meeting people from diverse backgrounds with different ideas and solving problems with these people. Despite our differences, what unites us all is a great interest and passion for physics and mathematics.”
– Veeni (QT freshman of 2024)
“I decided to apply here because math has always been my favorite subject at school. I also liked physics in high school. Studying engineering interested me already at the beginning of high school.
I always looked forward to starting university life, and in high school I expected the following years to be the best so far. And despite high expectations this has been the case! Super fun and the best. The courses have been interesting and I have been able to study the subjects I enjoy the most. I am also looking forward to next year when I can choose even more what courses to take.”
-Jonna (TFM freshman of 2022)
Career stories from Guild members
Both Engineering Physics and Mathematics and Quantum Technology majors offer very broad employment possibilities not only in the future, but also already during studies. Next, you’ll get to read about the careers of two of our students. These career stories only show a small slice from all your future career possibilities!
Pinja Helasuo
I started in Engineering Physics and Mathematics in 2018, because I was interested in understanding the world around us and its rules. Physics as a major seemed to offer the best answers to this and I had also studied physics for a year in the University of Helsinki.
Soon after starting my studies I realised that I wanted my work to contribute to the energy revolution and to the preventative work against climate change. I worked as a research assistant in the New Energy Technologies research group in the department of physics, where I got to work with solar panels and their integration to clothes. I was really interested in renewable energy and a bit in reactor physics, so in my bachelors and masters I selected as large variety of those courses as possible
In 2023 I got to make my masters thesis at St1 on electricity markets and renewable hydrogen, and I graduated from university in the Spring of 2024. It has been interesting to apply my skills in working life – and even those few systems and analysis courses I did have proven to be useful for a physicist! Studies prepared me to adapt to even complicated problems quickly, which has been enormously useful when taking in new information. Learning hasn’t stopped after school, but rather vice versa!
But my best tip for a person starting their studies now is to enjoy the summer and their new studies – you have plenty of time to enjoy work later!
Iago Rossetto
Hi, I’m Iago! I finished the Quantum Technology Bachelor’s programme in 2024, and I am currently working at SemiQon. The company is focused on developing quantum processors from spin qubits in silicon chips but also on other shorter term, enabling technologies such as ultra-low power transistors. I joined the company last summer break as a summer trainee, and I have since continued working part-time while I study for my Master’s degree. My work is on device modelling and simulation where I get to use theoretical ideas to (hopefully) give insight on or predict experimental data.
I first got to know about the company from a news article back when it was launched in 2023. Almost a year later, it turned out that they were attending the Guild’s Career Night. Their presentation was really interesting, and I decided to send them an open application (with fingers crossed for good luck). In general, it is incredible to be part of such an active and supportive guild, and events like this are highly recommended to join.
One of my favorite aspects of Aalto is the proximity to companies like SemiQon and to the university’s departments. For example, I also had the opportunity to work as a teaching assistant and research assistant before my current job. There is a nice balance between industry, university, and state-funding here that pushes students to participate and pour their learning into practice. Whether you are planning to study here or already are a teekkari, keep a positive and open mind! If the new opportunity gives you a little butterflies in your stomach, then you are on the right track.
Rikhard W. Ranta
Enrolling into the Engineering Physics and Mathematics major at Aalto University, I had no foresight into what life had in store for me. Implementing a study routine wasn’t easy for me and after the first year I was not sure what I would want to really study, I even pondered on changing my major. With the benefit of hindsight, I know I made the correct choice in continuing with this major, as the topics within, as well as the community of the Guild of Physics have given me a rather thriving environment to grow. After finishing the Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Physics, I chose one of the corresponding Master’s degree majors, Materials physics and Quantum Technology. While completing this degree, I was able to deepen my understanding of physics taught during the bachelor’s program and utilize it for some rather cool, contemporary topics on various courses. These topics included many body quantum physics, programming a neutron reactor simulator from scratch and the physics of superconductivity and its practical applications into quantum technologies. A degree in engineering physics also widely supports the needs of other fields, so employment can be found in atypical places.
My own research career started from the Department of Physics at Aalto University, where I researched renewable energy technologies, especially solar energy, during my bachelor’s degree process. During my research, I noticed that I was less interested in large energy systems and more in the underlying semiconductor technologies. My interest on the topic guided me to the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Tampere, where I joined a group researching memory components compatible for quantum and space technologies. As part of my work at the university, I conducted computational simulations on a memory material whose physics was difficult to predict and optimized the performance of novel superconducting memory components.
University research can be perceived as lacking practical implications and real-world experience. However, practicality is an integral part of research in engineering, as projects are often carried out in collaboration with companies, aiming to develop real, tangible products for further development. As a researcher, one also has influence over their research topics, allowing them to tailor their work to their interests. Additionally, pursuing studies towards a doctorate occurs naturally as part of the process of working as a researcher at a university.