master thesis
A master's thesis , also known as a master's thesis or master's thesis ( English master’s thesis ), is an international scientific or artistic work that is written for the completion of a master’s course . The master's thesis generally serves as proof that the candidate is able to write a scientific or artistic work independently, but under supervision.
The academic master’s degree is usually awarded with a university examination . The state qualification title Master is usually awarded through a state final examination. This final examination of a Master's program is in Germany usually from a course-related part of the examination papers or thesis and the final oral examination (in some universities ).
In order to ensure quality, the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs mandates a final thesis (Master's thesis) "with which the ability is demonstrated to deal independently with a problem from the respective subject using scientific methods within a given period of time." In the absence of a clear regulation, the author of the Master's thesis will be Still referred to as “Diplomand” in everyday life, even if the term “Masterand” is also used.
The master's thesis is usually either the last examination or the penultimate examination before the final oral examination.
Scope and procedure
A workload of 15 to 30 ECTS points is to be provided for the master's thesis . Usually 30 ECTS points are awarded (around six months processing time) if no oral final examination is planned, otherwise the final thesis and oral final examination add up to 30 ECTS points. In master’s courses in fine arts - consecutive courses award the degree Master of Fine Arts (MFA) - the scope of processing for the master’s thesis can be up to 40 ECTS points in justified exceptional cases.
Depending on the university, a master's thesis must be registered with the responsible examination office at the appropriate deadlines or at the start of processing . Thus, a supervisory relationship between the work is issuing university teachers and students founded. After a period specified in the respective examination regulations, the thesis must then be submitted to the examination office. At some universities the deadline can be extended once. If the master’s thesis is the last examination, the day of submission, if the master’s thesis has been sufficiently graded, also means the end of the course.
The number of pages of a master's thesis corresponds to approx. 60 to 130 pages, the table of contents, bibliography and appendices are not included in this number of pages. In many cases, the font size and font is specified by the university or college.
Structure / components
A master's thesis, like similar scientific papers , usually consists of the following parts:
- cover sheet
- Abstract
- contents
- Text part
- Introduction (occasion)
- Situation analysis
- aims
- Methodology and work program
- Synthesis / analysis
- rating
- Summary, outlook
- Bibliography ( footnotes with references are also common in humanities papers)
- attachment
- Personal declaration: A written declaration that this work was done alone and without outside help. It is also confirmed that all sources used have been given. This declaration is signed separately. Often it is not at the end of the work, but is inserted after the cover sheet.
In addition, a list of figures, abbreviations, tables and symbols can be inserted after the list of contents or the list of references.
Comparison of the Bologna master’s thesis with a master’s thesis
The diploma course previously offered primarily in natural science subjects was replaced in many European countries, as well as in Germany and Austria, in the course of the Bologna process by the graduated Bachelor and Master courses. The scope of a master's thesis is comparable to that of a university diploma thesis or master's thesis .
For master’s degrees, there are detailed requirements on the skills and knowledge to be acquired, which must also be taken into account with the master’s thesis.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ duden.de: Master's thesis accessed on May 23, 2012 [1] .
- ↑ a b c Common structural specifications / resolution of the Standing Conference of October 10, 2003 i. d. F. dated June 15, 2007.
- ↑ Master's degree at Duden-online .
- ↑ Guide to Scientific Texts. Retrieved August 26, 2016 .
- ↑ HRK , KMK , BMBF : Qualifications Framework for German University Degrees / Resolution of the Conference of Ministers of Education of April 21, 2005 .