Information on writing a thesis for the Master of Health Sciences degree at HAW

Transcription

1 Information on writing a thesis for the Master of Health Sciences degree at HAW (updated: ) General conditions Goals of the thesis In their thesis, students are expected to demonstrate their capability to apply scientific methods and findings, to independently handle an issue taken from the field of work associated with their degree course, addressing the issue in interdisciplinary contexts, and independently expanding and further developing their scientific knowledge. (Sec. 18, Para. 1, of the General Terms and Conditions for the Bachelor and Master Examination and Study Programme (ABBM) of the Faculty of Life Sciences) Students are expected to explore more intensely a topic based on their degree course and a practical application using scientific methods, and submit this work in writing. This is an opportunity to learn, narrow the subject down to a specific issue, locate and organise scientific material, contact other institutions and people, address thoughts and formulate them in writing. In other words, the thesis should demonstrate the student`s capability to independently handle a subject using suitable scientific methods within six months. Process of application for a final thesis (see last page) Process Application for a Final Thesis and Examination File Faculty of Life Sciences First step: Fill in page 1 of the form: necessary information: pers. Data: (Name; Address; DOB; Matr. no.; Study Course; PO Version; ; phone) Title final thesis Name + academ. title; , phone of: Head of the Board of Examiners (HoBE); First examiner Second examiner [if not from HAW + evidence for the qualification (single copy of the academic degree); address] Second Step: Go for the signatures from: First examiner; Second examiner; HoBE (will define deadline and approve the title) Third step: Hand in the filled in and signed application form (page one and two) with: Accompanying sheet And if the second advisor is not from HAW: Single copy of her/his academic degree You will receive a copy of your application by post. Fourth step: Write your final thesis If you need an extension (Master max. three months) ask the first and second supervisors first for their approval and inform the Head of the Board of Examiners. The HoBE will inform the FSO and they will send you the new deadline via . Fifth step: Submit the final thesis (two printed copies, one CD labeled!) to the Faculty Service Office (FSO) in the given deadline with: The Examination File The statutory declaration, that you are the author of the final thesis The declaration concerning a publication signed The confirmation form for submission All remaining pages You will then receive a routing slip that needs to be signed by: The responsibles of the laboratories (if applicable) The facility managers (key) and a staff member of the library You will then receive a receipt that the thesis has been submitted within the deadline. The Faculty Service Office will send the two printed copies to the examiners. Sixth step: Go for the necessary signatures in the routing slip and hand it in to the FSO after you have them. If you want to submit the two printed copies to the examiners on your own state it on page one of the examination file. The chairperson of the Examination Board assigns topics via the faculty administration. The thesis period of six months begins on the date on which the topic is assigned. The Examination Board may choose to extend the thesis period by no more than three months if the student submits an application providing a valid reason before the six-month deadline. The application must be approved by the examination supervisor and submitted to the chairperson of the Examination Board. Three copies of the thesis two in print and one as a computerreadable file must be submitted to the Studium und Lehre team at the Faculty of Life Sciences or sent by post, postmarked no later than the due date. A written declaration indicating that the student has worked independently and listing all the materials used must accompany the thesis (see 4.3 of the Thesis Layout). Master students: If you have completed the requirements, please hand in a list of all graded modules (HELIOS print) to the Head of the Board of Examiners. Seventh step: After the two appraisals have been sent back to the FSO by the examiners, the FSO will hand them to the head of the Board of Examiners who will determine the final mark and will send the whole dossier back to the FSO. The FSO will then draw up the final degree certificates and send an to you that they are ready for you to pick them up. The thesis should be between approximately 60 and 100 pages including all tables. Contact FSO: Download Application for a Final thesis and Examination file: fsb-ls1/download-fuer-studierende.html Choosing a topic Students should suggest a topic which is relevant to the main aspects of the course and corresponds to personal interests. The examination supervisors will help the student narrow down the topic to a manageable volume and formulate the final topic. 1

2 A thesis is characterized by a portion of independent thinking that goes beyond simply repeating previously covered content. It is based on scientific analysis of the current status of scientific discussion within the discipline. Independent scientific analysis can include the following: Critical theoretical examination of scientific representations of the discipline An independent empirical study, evaluation of the findings and presentation of the results Dealing with a practical issue from scientific points of view An empirical study, accompanied by a sound examination of a scientific theory A topic which has already been used for a thesis may not be used again. In such a case, an alternative topic must be arranged with the examination supervisor. Supervision and evaluation Selecting a primary and secondary examination supervisor Students should begin thinking about a supervisor for the planned topic of their thesis in sufficient time before topic assignment. Any full-time teacher in the Health Sciences department may act as examination supervisor as long as the topic is relevant to their discipline. Teachers who teach the examination subject full-time at the university and at least have a qualification through testing or similar may be appointed examination supervisors. Professors may be appointed examination supervisors for any examinations in their discipline. Examination supervisors should only assume topics that fall within their discipline. They are also responsible for helping students develop and narrow down a topic and come up with a final suggestion. During the writing phase, they act as a contact for students, answering any questions on content or organisational aspects. Teachers are not obliged to supervise every thesis submitted. Refusal may be based on an extensive workload or a lack of knowledge on the subject. Students writing a thesis have the right to supervision, but not from a specific teacher or on a specific topic. It would be a good idea to talk to an administrative advisor just in case any problems arise. The supervisors may offer master s colloquiums which are meant to accompany a thesis. We recommend attending them on a regular basis. Secondary examination supervisor In the application to write a thesis and in consultation with the primary supervisor, students suggest a secondary supervisor who must also comply with supervisor requirements at the University of Applied Sciences. An external person can be appointed supervisor, as long as they at least have a qualification through testing or similar. Evaluating the thesis The grade assigned to the thesis is the average taken from the two grades issued by the two examination supervisors. The thesis grade comprises 40% of the total grade. If the thesis is given nicht ausreichend (insufficient), it can only be repeated once and, in exceptional cases with a valid excuse, two times. The application for the repeated thesis must be submitted to the chairperson of the Examination Board within three months. If the thesis receives an evaluation of insufficient, the chairperson of the Examination Board will inform the student in writing (Sec. 21, Para. 4, of the ABBM). Thesis guidelines General Paper format: A4 Line spacing: 1.5 Top, bottom and right-hand margins: 2.5 cm, left-hand: 3 cm 2

3 Page numbering: right-justified or centered approx. 1.5 cm below the top of the page or centered bottom Type size: Font: standard fonts such as Times New Roman or Arial Titles below figures and tables, with source if applicable; continuous numbering, positioned close to the corresponding text An overview of the layout: Title page Optional foreword and preface Contents page Optional lists of figures and tables Optional additional lists Main text Bibliography Declaration of independent work Optional appendix Thesis layout: Title page Foreword and preface: Comments on selecting the topic, the author s intentions, gratitude for suggestions and help, etc. Contents page: An overview of the selected structure with page numbers; Decimal classification system: Arabic numerals separated by full stops, no full stop behind the final numeral; Or alphabet system: letters and numbers, e.g. first level upper-case letters, second level Roman numerals; Whichever system the author opts for, it must be used consistently throughout. Additional lists: When using abbreviations with the exception of everyday language abbreviations a list of abbreviations must be provided. Uncommon or new technical terms used on more than one occasion can be explained in a glossary. Lists of figures and tables: Figures and tables are listed in the order they appear along with their page numbers. Main text Bibliography: List of all sources used, alphabetically sorted according to author or publisher Methods of analysis, guidelines, sample calculations, measurement tables, questionnaires; with own contents page and page numbering Declaration of independent work Theses must contain the following declaration with signature on the final page. I hereby declare that I wrote this thesis without any assistance and used only the aids listed. Any material taken from other works, either as a quote or idea have been indicated under Sources. If more than one student works on a single thesis, they must indicate which sections were written by whom. 3

4 Appendix: Sample title page Excerpt from the Master of Health Sciences Examination and Study Programme Excerpt from the ABBM and Examination and Study Programme 4

5 Example title page University of Applied Sciences Faculty of Life Sciences Health Sciences degree [Insert name of your topic] Thesis Date of submission: Submitted by: First name surname Matriculation number Examination supervisor Secondary supervisor 5

6 Excerpt from the Health Sciences Examination and Study Programme 7 Thesis (1) The time allotted for the thesis is six months. The thesis is a theoretical, empirical and/or experimental study formulated in writing in English. The topic is assigned by the chairperson of the Examination Board. The topic should deal with an issue taken from a research project which focuses on public health. In exceptional cases, the thesis may be written in German for reasons of context. This requires the Examination Board s authorisation. (2) The thesis can be repeated a second time in exceptional cases provided there is a valid reason. 8 Passing exams The thesis may only be started once all written exams in the first degree phase have been successfully passed and once the research/scientific project has been successfully completed. Any exceptions require the Examination Board s authorisation. 9 Evaluation of the written exams and assignments (1) The grade assigned for the first degree phase (1st and 2nd semester) is the average grade taken from all the examinations attributed to the modules in accordance with Sec. 5. (2) 40% of the Master grade is based on the overall grade of the first degree phase, 20% on the grade of the research/scientific project (Sec. 6) and 40% on the thesis grade (Sec. 7). (3) The master s certificate is issued in English and German. Excerpt from the General Terms and Conditions for the Bachelor and Master Examination and Study Programme of the Faculty of Life Sciences Sec. 18, Thesis (1) In their thesis, students should demonstrate that they are capable of using scientific methods and knowledge to independently handle an issue taken from the field of work associated with their degree course, addressing the issue in interdisciplinary contexts, and independently expanding and further developing their scientific knowledge. (2) The thesis is a theoretical, empirical and/or experimental study formulated in writing and is assigned by the chairperson of the Examination Board. (3) The thesis can be supervised by any supervisor appointed in accordance with Sec. 14, Para. 1, within the framework of organisational possibilities. The supervisor should encourage and give the student the opportunity to suggest topics. (4) The time allotted for the thesis is six months. The topic needs to be such that it can be handled within this time period. Three copies of the thesis two in print and one as a computer-readable file must be submitted to the Studentensekretariat (registrar) at the Faculty of Life Sciences or sent by post, postmarked no later than the due date. The deadline must be made on record. The Examination Board may choose to extend the thesis period by no more than three months if the student submits an application providing a valid reason before the six-month deadline. Before any decision is made, the application must be approved by the examination supervisor. In the case of hardship, temporary postponement may be authorised by the Examination Board 6

7 (5) A written declaration indicating that the student has worked independently and used only the materials and sourced listed must accompany the thesis. In the case of group work, this also applies to the sections written by individual students. Any material taken from other works, either as a quote or idea, must be indicated using sources. (6) If there are no impediments, the thesis may be evaluated by the primary and secondary supervisors, who have been selected from the candidates by the chairperson of the Examination Board in accordance with Sec. 14, Para. 1. The grade of the thesis is based on the average of the evaluations. On request of the student or examination supervisor, a complementary colloquium may be offered before final grading; the result of the colloquium must be incorporated into the evaluation. Sec. 15, Para. 6, applies. 7

8 Process Application for a Final Thesis and Examination File Faculty of Life Sciences First step: Fill in page 1 of the form: necessary information: pers. Data: (Name; Address; DOB; Matr. no.; Study Course; PO Version; ; phone) Title final thesis Name + academ. title; , phone of: Head of the Board of Examiners (HoBE); First examiner Second examiner [if not from HAW + evidence for the qualification (single copy of the academic degree); address] Second Step: Go for the signatures from: First examiner; Second examiner; HoBE (will define deadline and approve the title) Third step: Hand in the filled in and signed application form (page one and two) with: Accompanying sheet And if the second advisor is not from HAW: Single copy of her/his academic degree You will receive a copy of your application by post. Fourth step: Write your final thesis If you need an extension (Master max. three months) ask the first and second supervisors first for their approval and inform the Head of the Board of Examiners. The HoBE will inform the FSO and they will send you the new deadline via . Fifth step: Submit the final thesis (two printed copies, one CD labeled!) to the Faculty Service Office (FSO) in the given deadline with: The Examination File The statutory declaration, that you are the author of the final thesis The declaration concerning a publication signed The confirmation form for submission All remaining pages You will then receive a routing slip that needs to be signed by: The responsibles of the laboratories (if applicable) The facility managers (key) and a staff member of the library You will then receive a receipt that the thesis has been submitted within the deadline. The Faculty Service Office will send the two printed copies to the examiners. If you want to submit the two printed copies to the examiners on your own state it on page one of the examination file. Sixth step: Go for the necessary signatures in the routing slip and hand it in to the FSO after you have them. Master students: If you have completed the requirements, please hand in a list of all graded modules (HELIOS print) to the Head of the Board of Examiners. Seventh step: After the two appraisals have been sent back to the FSO by the examiners, the FSO will hand them to the head of the Board of Examiners who will determine the final mark and will send the whole dossier back to the FSO. The FSO will then draw up the final degree certificates and send an to you that they are ready for you to pick them up. 8 Contact FSO: Download Application for a Final thesis and Examination file: fsb-ls1/download-fuer-studierende.html