Admission requirements
Not applicable.
Description
A Master's Thesis Research Project deals with research and innovation. The research conducted in a Master's Thesis Research Project is part of the research focus of the institute. The major requirement of a Master's Thesis Research Project is to contribute to original research. Its major difference to the Introductory Research Project (18 EC) is a bigger scope, and a tight integration into the supervisor’s research activities at LIACS. The student needs to write a scientific report (the Master’s Thesis) and to give an oral presentation explaining the results of the research project. A high-quality scientific report can also result in a joint publication of the student and her/his supervisors, including the possible opportunity to present the work at a scientific conference.
The Master's Thesis Research Project is executed under the supervision of a research staff member at LIACS. Thesis topics are provided within the Master Class, as well as directly by speaking with individual supervisors. A second supervisor providing an opinion independent of the first supervisor is mandatory for the Master’s Thesis Research Project.
A Master’s Thesis Research Project can be done as an internship in a company, provided that the LIACS supervisors approve the topic, which has to be clearly research-focused to qualify for a thesis topic.
Objectives
By means of the Master's Thesis Research Project, the student learns to:
make an independent analysis of scientific problems, analysis of relevant specialist literature, formulate verifiable hypotheses, and set up and carry out research and critical reflection on one’s own research and that of others,
contribute to an unsolved problem,
present clearly, verbally as well as in writing, one’s own research results,
communicate with colleagues,
write a scientific thesis,
optionally: present his/her research results as a contribution to a congress or as (part of) a scientific publication.
Timetable
The most recent timetable can be found on the students' website.
Mode of instruction
Writing a Master’s thesis
Giving a Master's Thesis Presentation (including defense)
Mandatory participation in the Master Class
Course Load
Hours of Study: 840
Practical work/Research: 692
Report writing: 120
Participation Master Class: 28
Assessment method
The final grade is composed of the grade for the Master’s Thesis and the oral MSc Thesis Presentation (and defense), giving a majority of the weight to the thesis itself. Other contributions, such as e.g. scientific publications, poster presentations, and conference presentations can also be taken into account in the grading.
Reading list
Not applicable.
Registration
Not applicable.
Remarks
There is no explicit website for the Master’s Thesis. Potential topics can be found on the web site of the Master Class.