Guidance

The courses offered by the Biodiversity education network are available for the degree students of the Universities of Eastern Finland, Turku, Jyväskylä, Oulu and Helsinki and Åbo Akademi University.

The courses offer possibilities for the students to learn more about biodiversity-related topics on the courses which are not being taught by their own universities. There are courses for different levels and there might be limitations in the number of students accepted for the courses. Alist of the courses available can be found in the Studies-page, and there are also links to the course curricula.

The courses are meant for increasing students’ knowledge and they cannot be accepted as a minor subject. Students have to discuss with their supervisors beforehand to agree on studying these courses and to be able to include the courses in their degrees. Students should apply separately for every course they are interested in.

To be able to apply for the right to study these courses, you need to

  • be a student in one of the participating universities,
  • discuss with your study supervisor about the courses you would like to include in your degree
  • use the email address given by your university in the application

Please note, that there might be limitations in the number of students accepted for the courses and obtaining the study right doesn’t automatically mean that you will be accepted for the course. After getting the right to study, remember to register for the course.

How to proceed?

Interesting courses: Check the Studies-page to find courses you are interested in.

Discussion with your supervisor: Make sure that the courses you are interested in can be included in your degree.

Applying for the right to study: Apply for the right to study for the courses. You will find links to the forms on the Studies-page. If you are applying for the right to study for several courses, fill in the forms separately for each course. It is enough that you discuss with your supervisor, no statement on acceptance from the home university is required.

The right to study: You will get information about your right to study by email after the application deadline. At same time you will get information about course registration.

Registration for the course: Register for the course where you have the right to study. Note that there are limitations in the number of students that can be taken onthe course which means that the right to study doesn’t automatically mean that you are accepted for the course.

Studying: After the registration deadline, you will be informed whether you were accepted for the course. At the same time you will get information about the course. Study the course and follow the given timetables. The teacher responsible for the course helps you if you have questions relating to the course.

Course credits: When you have completed the course, you will receive study credits in the system used in the organising university. You can apply for credits to be transferred to your own university and into your degree by following the guidelines of your home university.

FAQ

Why should I study courses from other universities?

  • Through the Biodiversity Education Network, you can complement your own study path with content that interests you from the course offerings of other universities.
  • You can take courses that are not offered at your own university, thus diversifying your expertise.
  • You can get to know students from other universities and network in the field of biodiversity.

Who can study courses from the Biodiversity Education Network?

  • You can study courses by cross-registering if:
    • You are a degree student at one of the network’s universities.
    • You are studying in a relevant field, and you meet the prerequisites described in the course description.
    • The course is applicable to your degree (please confirm with your academic advisor).

What if I didn’t get into the course I wanted?

  • Unfortunately, some courses have limited spots available, and not all interested students may be able to enroll. If you didn’t get into a course, look for another course that interests you from the course offerings and apply for study rights for it.

I need assistance regarding course completion.

  • Contact the course instructor, who can provide the best guidance.

What studies does the study right apply to, and how long is it valid?

  • The study right applies only to the course for which you have applied for it. You must apply for study rights separately for each course.
  • The study right is valid for the duration required to complete the course as specified in the course description.
  • If you cannot complete the course within the specified time frame, you must reapply for study rights for that course.

The same course is offered at multiple universities. How do I choose which course to register for?

  • If the course is offered at your own university, register for it there.
  • If the course is not offered at your own university, you can choose which course to apply for study rights to.

I need assistance with applying for study rights, course registration, or obtaining course completion marks.

  • Contact the academic administration of the target university:
    • University of Eastern Finland: Suvituuli Sormunen (suvituuli.sormunen@uef.fi)
    • University of Jyväskylä: Marja Korhonen (e.korhonen@jyu.fi)
    • University of Turku: Academic Advisors (oposci@utu.fi)
    • University of Oulu: Academic Advising (science@oulu.fi)
    • University of Helsinki: Student Services (viikki-student@helsinki.fi)
    • Åbo Akademi University: Student Services (fnt-studieradgivare@abo.fi)
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