Thesis of Rami Rekola

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Most Finnish scientific theses nowadays are composed of several publications (4-6 or even more) and an introductory part (several tens of pages). Because of copyright reasons, I can only give links to the publications. Actually these links lead to ADS (The NASA Astrophysics Data System), which is the most comprehensive list of publications in astronomy, and publicly available. The ADS provides the abstract of the publication and gives links to the full text - these links lead to commercial (i.e. chargeable) pages of scientific journals. The entire introductory part of my thesis is presented here as a PDF file.

Introduction
Publication 1
Publication 2
Publication 3
Publication 4 (temporarily unpublished; the link will be added as soon as the artice appears in MNRAS)

Dissertation

In Finland dissertation, or disputation as it is also called, usually lasts from 90 min to several hours - depending on how thorough the opponent is. There is only one opponent, who is often from abroad since he must be a specialist in the field but not have any common publications with the disputant. The dissertation begins with a 20 minute presentation the disputant will give on the topic of the thesis - in Finnish. Then the opponent gives a wee speech. The main part of the dissertation is next with the opponent going through the thesis material and asking questions related to it. At the end he gives a short statement on whether he recommends the doctoral degree to be granted or not.

Then the custos (a chairman or moderator) asks the audience if anybody wants to ask questions. This means that people may become additional opponents. Additional opponents must write a statement to the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences in which they either recommend or don't recommend a doctoral degree. In real life it is extremely rare - almost nonexistent - nowadays to have additional opponents and it is considered very odd if that happens.

There is no special dress code at the dissertation for the audience.

If the opponent has recommended a doctoral degree, the doctoral candidate organises a dissertation party in the same evening. This is a formal dinner party with special dress code for everybody. Men should dress in tail coat with white shirt, white vest, white tie, black leather shoes (shiny or matt) and a white handerchief in the breast pocket OR in a dark suit (black, or coloured but very dark, with a white shirt, dark socks and shoes, and a necktie or bow tie that matches with the suit. Women should dress in an elegant black or dark dress, a jacket suit or a trouser suit, and festive shoes.

People should arrive to the dissertation party (karonkka in Finnish) in due time. It is held in honour of the opponent and people should show respect to the opponent (and doctoral candidate) by arriving in time. The opponent should be the last to arrive. There will be a toast in the beginning, followed by the dinner. After the main course the doctoral candidate holds a speech thanking the opponent and custos (and possibly other people directly connected with the thesis work) who then thank him in brief. There should be no clapping hands at any moment.

After the dinner, the party usually continues in a free format - in the same location or in a nearby restaurant or pub.

Photographs from my dissertation and party may be viewed here.

Bureaucracy

My thesis work was supervised by professor Mauri Valtonen and adjunct professor Chris Flynn, both from Tuorla Observatory.

Prior to dissertation my thesis was reviewed by professor Burkhard Fuchs from Astronomisches Rechen-Institut, Heidelberg, Germany, and professor Brad Gibson from Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn Victoria, Australia.

I had my dissertation at the University of Turku on 18th December 2004. My opponent was professor Gene Byrd from The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the United States of America.

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Turku accepted my thesis with honours on 20th January 2005.

Master's thesis

My master's thesis was a study of Local Group dynamics. I ran computer simulations on movements of a dozen Local Group galaxies under the influence of Newtonian gravity. All simulations incorporated Maffei group of galaxies with the assumption it originated from the Local Group either by slingshot processes or, more likely, as a group that passed through the Local Group and was accelerated to its current outwards radial velocity. Some simulations incorporated Sculptor group of galaxies similarily.

To be continued...