Required in stage
Optional in stage
Second term
Both terms
Not organised
This year
Next year
Alternating years
External
Prerequisites
Identical coursesMaster’s Thesis Agro- and Ecosystems Engineering - Forest, Nature and Landscape Systems: Part I - Semester 1 (B-KUL-I0I39A)
English
First term
Cannot be taken as part of an examination contractCannot be taken as part of a credit contract
Somers Ben (coordinator) | N. Aims
At the end of the master’s thesis research project, and in relation to a complex research problem in the domain of the master’s programme, the student should be able to:
- Clearly formulate and situate the problem, using the scientific conceptual framework specific to the domain;
- Formulate a hypothesis representing a new scientific insight or an original approach to the problem;
- Establish a research or solution strategy;
- Gather the necessary data with experimental and / or theoretical research to ascertain the validity of the proposed hypothesis or solution;
- Process the collected data and interpret the results obtained in a scientifically sound manner;
- Formulate conclusions for this research and frame these in the current scientific state of the art;
- Report both orally and in writing on all of these scientific activities
Previous knowledge
- Thorough scientific knowledge in the domain of the master’s programme
- Understanding the methodological research approach in the field of the master’s programme.
Order of Enrolment
You can only take this course if you have to acquire no more than 72 credits to obtain your degree.
This course unit is a prerequisite for taking the following course units:
I0I46A : Master’s Thesis Agro- and Ecosystems Engineering - Forest, Nature and Landscape Systems: Part II – Semester 2
Is included in these courses of study
- Master of Bioscience Engineering: Agro- and Ecosystems Engineering (Leuven) (Major Subject: Forest, Nature and Landscape Systems) 120 ects.
Activities
10 ects. Master’s Thesis Agro- and Ecosystems Engineering - Forest, Nature and Landscape Systems: Part I - Semester 1 (B-KUL-I0I39a)
EnglishFormat: Master's thesisFirst termN. Content
In the Master's thesis, the student has to perform a piece of original scientific research on a specific topic, or propose and demonstrate a new solution to a complex practical research statement. The Master's thesis topic is chosen by the student from the set of topics that is announced by the lecturers/researchers at the faculty. The problem that is treated in the Master's thesis is complex and requires that the student creatively uses theoretical and practical knowledge and skills that have been acquired in the other courses, as well as his/her capacity to independently look for new information in scientific literature and to use this to come to a solution.
The Master's thesis is supervised by a promoter from the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering.
Format: more information
Research: Experimental and/or theoretical scientific research at Master's level.
Evaluation
Evaluation: Master’s Thesis Agro- and Ecosystems Engineering - Forest, Nature and Landscape Systems: Part I - Semester 1 (B-KUL-I2I39a)
Explanation
The grading scale of this course unit is pass/fail.
Continuous assessment
The student and his/her research work are evaluated throughout the process by the supervisor, who is responsible for the daily monitoring, and by the promoter. The student drafts a research plan of 1-2 pages in the initial stage of the Master's thesis, after he/she has familiarised him/herself with the subject. This plan is adjusted according to the progress made in the project. Furthermore, the student gives at least one interim presentation about the progress of the research and the obtained results, which are subject to formative feedback by the promoter and supervisor. The student keeps an electronic portfolio on Toledo in which the original and adjusted versions of the research plan, the interim presentations and accompanying feedback are kept.
The main evaluation criteria are:
- The student's effort
- The personal intellectual contribution to the research
- The originality of the approach and elaboration of the topic of scientific research
- The quality of intermediate reporting
- The progress made during the Master's thesis process regarding personal intellectual contribution and quality of reporting
Based on these criteria promoter and supervisor express a ‘pass’ or ‘fail’ evaluation for this course. The overall evaluation of the process, reporting and presentation of the Master’s thesis research project is done in the course Master’s Thesis Agro- and Ecosystems Engineering - Forest, Nature and Landscape Systems: Part II. To this end, the latter course is assigned 30 ECTS. De beoordelingsschaal van dit opleidingsonderdeel is 'geslaagd/niet geslaagd'.
Information about retaking exams
No 2nd examination opportunity.