Profile & activities

Microbes have a major effect on the ecosystem and humans. Microbes run biogeochemical cycles of the elements, play a major role in the intestines of animals and biotechnology such as waste water treatment and food production, just to mention some. On the other hand, microbes cause diseases for plants, animals and humans.
Courses and studying

A doctoral degree in the programme comprises of a doctoral thesis and 40 credits of doctoral studies. The studies are divided into discipline-specific and transferable skills.

We also organise research seminars, where you get to present your own work, receive feedback and get to know your fellow doctoral researchers.

Courses in research ethics and transferable skills are offered throughout the academic year by the Doctoral School in Environmental, Food and Biologiacal Sciences (YEB).

MBDP of­fers sup­port to at­tend MOOC

MBDP offers the opportunity to complete the in depth MBDP thematic courses by attending MOOCs.

You may include a MOOC in your degree if you find a suitable course. In order to get the credits, you must obtain a course certificate. To obtain the certificate, you usually need to pay a fee. MBDP supports its doctoral researchers’ participation in field-specific MOOCs with approximately 50 Euro.

The financial support can be applied using this . Before applying, please discuss with your supervisor about the course you are planning to take, to make sure it fits your study plan. The planning officer Mia will review the application and decide on the funding. You should first pay the course certificate fee yourself and MBDP will then reimburse the cost to you.

Here is a collection of links for you where you can find interesting courses that can be included in your degree.

If you have any questions about the funding, please contact the planning officer by emailing to mbdp-office(a)helsinki.fi.
Events and activities

Fridays at 9.15

2025:
Spring:

24 January, at Biocenter 2, room 2012
(Department of Microbiology, University of Helsinki): Seasonal differences in microbial community activity in oroarctic tundra soil

7 February, at Biocenter 2, room 2012
(Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, University Hospital Essen, Germany): When is a change a change: identifying significant events in microbial communities

14 March, at Biocenter 2, room 2012
(Department of Computing, University of Turku, Finland): Antibiotic resistance in human gut metagenomes on population and global scales

24 April, at  Biocenter 3, room 2402
(Molecular & Integrative Biosciences Research Programme, University of Helsinki): Zoonotic potential of shrew-borne viruses

 23 May, at Biocenter 2, room 2012
(Geological Survey of Finland): Microbially Enhanced Growth and Metal Capture by Ferromanganese Concretions in a Laboratory Experiment

Organiser: Marko Virta, marko.virta(at)helsinki.fi

10 attendances = 1 ECTS, own presentation = 1 ECTS

Maximum Microbiology Seminar credits = 3 ECTS

Thursdays at 14:15

2025:

Spring:
TBA

Organisers: , e-mail: mbdp-office(at)helsinki.fi
10 attendances = 1 ECTS, own presentation = 1 ECTS
Maximum Virus Club credits = 3 ECTS

To demonstrate their attendance, students are requested to write a short summary (5-10 sentences) of the talks in each of the sessions they chose to attend, and to submit these using (course key for self-enrolment is: 2021VC).

MBDP annual meeting takes place every year during spring. The event consists of inspiring speakers and relaxed get-together. The annual meeting aims to gather MBDP students, supervisors and board members to meet in relaxed atmosphere once a year. Annual meeting participants are rewarded with one study credit.

The programme also organises annually First manuscript writing course. The course gives guidance on the academic writing process and enables during the course to write all the sections of a scientific manuscript. Participants will receive critical assessment by the course teacher and peers.

MBDP doctoral programme organises several courses in bioinformatics e.g. Bacterial genomes and Metagenomics. We prioritise MBDP members, but others are welcome to join if we have free seats available. You can find .
Other sem­inars in Viikki

(however, most info is not up-to-date)

  • Cell Biology Club (by )
  • Developmental biology journal club (by )
  • Genome club (by )
  • to program
Courses and work­shops else­where

Many courses relevant for MBDP doctoral researchers are organised all over the world.

You may find interesting and useful courses among these:

  • PhD courses organised by the

    The Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine are members of the NOVA (The Nordic Forestry, Veterinary and Agricultural University Network). Students of member faculties may participate on NOVA courses free of charge (travel and accommodation not included). Please find .
  • – Nordic Doctoral Training in Health Sciences network provides doctoral training courses in health offered by the NorDoc partner organisations
  • PhD courses organised by other
  • Information skills courses by the
  • You may also find relevant courses in the of the University of Helsinki.
  • Or you can search from all University of Helsinki .
  • – IT center for science arranges many kinds of courses and workshops
  • See national course list, for example, in  (Finnish Doctoral Programme Network in Life Sciences) page → FinBioNet course calendar