Required in stage
Optional in stage
First term
Second term
Not organised
This year
Next year
Alternating years
External
Prerequisites
Identical coursesMaster's Thesis (B-KUL-B3079D)
English
Both terms
Cannot be taken as part of an examination contractCannot be taken as part of a credit contract
Kundu Pradeep (coordinator) | N. Aims
The student
… has initiated an original research project (original in the sense that the student has generated (partly) new knowledge) .
... has acquired state of the art knowledge on the subject of the research project.
... formulates a correct and clear problem statement.
... is up to date with recent findings in the area of the subject of the research project and can assess their relevance for the solution of the problem
... designs a research plan, using the best available techniques (based on information found in scientific literature).… analyses and interprets the results obtained.
… has a critical attitude in the interpretation of the results obtained.
… takes into account the need for optimisation (context and boundary conditions) and the existence of uncertainties.
… can outline the results of the project in a coherent, correct and clear way using a correct scientific language and a clear lay-out of the text, citations, tables and figures meeting all formal requirements….
… has a fair academic attitude towards referencing sources.
… brings the project to a close in a set of conclusions situating the results obtain in the state of the art context
… can present the results of the project, taking into consideration important presentation skills such as the outline of the scientific context, a coherent structured presentation, correct language, respect for timing.
… can answer in a scientific correct language to questions from both fellow students and researchers.… assumes a critical, reflective learning attitude, committed to the project, independent and if appropriate a good team player.
… can reflect on the added value of the research project
Previous knowledge
The skills & knowledge acquired in the initial master
Is included in these courses of study
Activities
18 ects. Master's Thesis (B-KUL-B551CO)
EnglishFormat: Master's thesisBoth termsN. Content
The master’s thesis is the final and completing work of the master's program and focuses on the concrete realisation of innovation concerning a technological solution. In the context of the master’s thesis, the term innovation should be understood as the establishment of a new (or innovative) product, process or service or the application of an optimisation process to an existing product, process or service. “New” or “innovative” is to be interpreted here as “new” or “innovative” for the student. The required knowledge should clearly exceed the knowledge considered as already being acquired during the curriculum.
In principle, each student is assigned a different topic for the master’s thesis. Every Master thesis is supervised by a promoter belonging to FIIW or FirW (KU Leuven) or FEA (Ghent University). An additional promoter or co-promoter of an external organisation, or a thesis related research group may be included.
Possible thesis topics are proposed by the industry (preferably), by internal research groups linked to the Engineering Faculties, by external research, by lecturers/professors or by the student. There are also possibilities to conduct the master’s thesis abroad. Each topic presented must be approved by the campus-related research unit. For the student, the selection process of the subject and/or promoter is initiated during the academic year preceding the master’s thesis.
After having successfully completed the assignment, the student must scientifically describe the result of the thesis and orally defend it before a jury of at least three persons: the promotor(s), the daily guide and one or more assessors.
Course material
N.A.
Evaluation
Evaluation: Master's Thesis (B-KUL-B79952)
Explanation
The master’s thesis is evaluated by a jury of at least three persons: the promotor(s), the daily guide and one or more assessors, on the basis of three aspects: the process (40%), the final text (30%) and the presentation and oral discussion (30%).
- Process
Process (work ethic): approach, planning, commitment, initiative, communication, professional attitude, etc.
Process (methodology & results): quality of the end result, personal contribution, methodology, etc.
- The final text:
Paper and scientific summary (form): structure, language, style, etc.
Paper and scientific summary (content & product): quality of delivered work, scientific accuracy, personal input, critical analysis.
- Presentation and oral examination
Presentation and defense (form): slide configuration, language, attitude, time management, etc.
Presentation and defense (content & product): completeness, quality of the work proposed, of the defense, and of the proficiency in answering questions, etc.
A result of less than 8/20 in any of the three aspects (process, thesis & scientific summary, and presentation & defense) always results in an insufficient grade for the entire master’s thesis. The final grade for the master’s thesis shall, in this case, not exceed 9/20.
The final grade of the master’s thesis is to be written in the form of one decimal place, except for results between 9.0/20 and 10.0/20. If the calculated final mark for the dissertation falls between these two values, the final grade is set at 9.0 and justified in writing unless the jury, based upon its deliberations, decides the student can pass the Master thesis. In such a situation the final grade is set to 10.0/20.
Failure to submit the thesis or failing to show up for its presentation and defense results in the result NA for the master’s thesis.
Component marks of at least 10/20 published in the academic progress file are transferred to the next examination period within the same academic year and to the following academic years, except for temporary marks and marks for intermittent tests.
Information about retaking exams
The evaluation process is similar to that of the first examination opportunity. If a student does not pass the initial exam, additional work that the student must complete will be specified.
Additionally, the revised thesis will be reevaluated, and the student will participate in the final defense in EP3. During the retake, the score from the initial evaluation will be reviewed on a student-by-student basis.