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2014-2015 – FEB Brussels Master thesis

2014-2015 – FEB Brussels Master thesis. Introduction. Master thesis (MT) is mandatory. Higher Education Structural Decree (2003):

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2014-2015 – FEB Brussels Master thesis

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  1. 2014-2015 – FEB BrusselsMaster thesis

  2. Introduction

  3. Master thesis (MT) is mandatory • Higher Education Structural Decree (2003): • Each Master programme in Flanders must include a "Master thesis". In his Master thesis the student shall prove his critical & analytical abilities (i.e. academic competencies) • The MT is a "subject", a "course" in the Master year • Master thesis is worth 15 credits • + 3 credits for Research Proposal MT (prep programme) • The MT is subject to the Education and Exam Regulations! • Student has to receive a mark of at least 10/20 for the Master thesis

  4. What is the concept of the FEB Brussels MT about? • Research assignment carried out independently by the student • Topic: depending on the degree programme, related to (business) economics • Research question: specific definition of subject (possibly in collaboration with company) • Content supervised by the FEB Brussels supervisor • Methodologically sound approach to research • Supporting courses: Research proposal • Mandatory output by student (= exam) consists of: • Written report (= work) of an academic nature (format, structure, conclusions) • Student defends his work orally before a FEB Brussels jury

  5. MT types and topics (content) • internally organised Master thesis • student carries out research at the request of an internal client = FEB Brussels supervisor • "externally" organised Master thesis: Company project • student conducts research at the request of an organisation/company= external client

  6. MT types and topics (content) GENERAL • (Business) economics approach required • Topic can be linked to prior education • International dimension isobligatory! • 2 Output formats: classic "report" or scientific "article" (paper) • Language: EN mandatory for text and oral defence

  7. Combination MT with exchange programme? Advice: preferably postpone MT until 2015-2016 (if possible for student) If combination MT + Erasmus exchange in 2014-2015: - only for "internally" organised MT (see further) - only if supervisor agrees to distance supervising!

  8. Internallyorganised Master thesis (IOMT)

  9. What is an IOMT? • Context: • A master thesis which is completely embedded in the research of an FEB Brussels lecturer or researcher (supervisor). This supervisor acts as "internal client" for the research project. There is no official collaboration with an external partner (company or organisation) • Deals only with a (business) economic research question • Is mainly carried out through "desk research" • This type of Master thesis is open to all students from all degree programmes/ graduation subjects • Method : • literature review completed with own empirical research by the student, for example. survey, interviews, observations ... • Comparison of several companies/industries, company cases by way of illustration are allowed

  10. Why an IOMT? • This type of Master thesis usually builds on earlier research, and/or forms in its turn the start of follow-up research (by a next generation students) • Usually there is a pretty strong control by the supervisor of data, approach and methodology to be used Cons: • less practice-oriented than an externally organised Master thesis • offers no real business experience

  11. Examples • How CSR is bio? • Is there a relationship between the characteristics of the Board of Directors and the management control systems at Belgian SMEs? • The economic growth in China: cause and competitiveness • Emotional management as a differentiator for client retention and customer loyalty • The EU's response to the financial crisis • A study on the characteristics of companies that are the target of a management buy out • The future of the port of Antwerp • Do workaholics perform better?

  12. Selecting an IOMT? 2 possibilities: • Throughthe FEB Brussels list (= most preferred)Includes all title proposals by supervisors! Available on Toledo B-Course “Masterproef – Master thesis FEB Campus Brussel” • The student submits his own title proposal to the supervisor for acceptance

  13. Through FEB Brussels list • Titles proposed by supervisors can be consulted via a search interface - various search entries (per supervisor, degree programme, specialisation) - each title proposal comes with an explanation made available by the supervisor The FEB Brussels list is only available during different start-up rounds! • End of August – 8 October 2014 • 20 October – 9 November (extra for prep MIBEM) • Spring 2015 (exact date tbc) Observations: • Title proposals are strictly tied to a specific supervisor: you cannot choose a certain supervisor's title and develop under the supervision of another! • Master thesis Fair (29/09/2014) = ability to meet supervisors. Come prepared!

  14. The student's own proposal • Screen the research expertise of the supervisors and select most suitable supervisor • Check if the supervisor still has slots available (if fully booked, don't email!)) • If available: contact supervisor and motivate your proposal 4) If the supervisor accepts, he will register the student's name and working title for acceptance

  15. Externally organised MT: Company project

  16. What is an externally organised MT? • A Master thesis in a contractual partnership with a company • Objective: solve a real problem from the work field using an academically relevant research method • Always confidential (obligation of secrecy for student, guaranteed in project agreement) • Focus on research – no internship (internship is rather 'working' in the company)

  17. Why an externally organised MT? • Not just theory, but real 'action' in a business environment • You can apply your knowledge to a real business situation • Consequently, you will contribute to innovative ideas within the company • You acquire knowledge in your particular field of study • You will develop skills that are important on the labour market • A Company Project is a unique selling point on your résumé and during a job interview

  18. Examples MIBEM • Training and technical advice in the Flemish electrical sector: a qualitative study at the installers (Unizo) • Financing Plan for Groenendaal Recreational Site (RSG) • Tendencies on energy saving in the lightning industry (Antwerp Business Center) • Market survey digital mammography in China (BARCO) • Commercialisation of new Green Roofs (Greenskin) • Business model for traffic information in a free of charge environment (ARC Europe)

  19. Looking for a Company Project? 2 possibilities: • ThroughFEB Brussels list (available in different 3 start-up rounds) • The student finds himself a company as well as a project • This is only for students who are writing their master thesis in 2015-2016

  20. FEB Brussels project list • Through the FEB Brussels list search interface : • Already screened project proposals + supervisor sheet • Possibility to download project proposal for more details on the project • If interested in a project proposal: • Notify the supervisor you are interested in a particular project proposal (description of prior knowledge / motivation through email - no more than 10 lines) • The supervisor will select the candidate for the project (possibly in consultation with company) • If you are selected: you must send an email to els.vandenbosch@kuleuven.be • Your name is then linked to the project proposal = official registration The project proposal is labelled "assigned" and is no longer available for other students

  21. Students looking for project themselves (1) • Contact your company of choice yourself and write a project proposal together: • This project proposal contains: • A research question that is sufficiently concrete and complex • That can be carried out in an academically sound way • Within one academic year • a co-supervisor from the company to coach you until the defence • Advantage: 100% your own field of interest and sector • Remarks: • Difficult to write a project proposal from scratch • Internal screening of subject (sometimes adjustments necessary) • Deadline: Spring 2014 for MT in 2015-2016 THEREFORE: Possibility to obtain advice from the Business Expertise Center: bart.vinck@kuleuven.be

  22. Student looks for a project himself (2) • The student downloads a blank 'project proposal' (B-course in Toledo) • Student & company together write a project & fill out the form (incl. name of student whose proposal it is!) • Company sends completed form through email to: els.vandenbosch@kuleuven.be

  23. Regulation and more information on the Master thesis

  24. More information? In Toledo! • Course Master Thesis: for ECTS-sheet & specific announcements • B-course “Masterproef-Master Thesis FEB Brussel”, i.e.:- Regulations = Master thesis Guidelines incl. all deadlines (= time path)!- Forms (start-up externally organised MT - adjustments - defenceregistration)- Templates (templates for cover, summary, article format)- Submission of MT: practical details (what, where, when..) and upload of your digital version

  25. MT Regulations? • ECTS sheet Master thesis contains the main principles! • “Master Thesis Guidelines” contains rules and details incl. all information about the defence and evaluationcriteria

  26. Deadline registration MT • 8 October 2014forall students thatintendtodefendtheir MT in 2015 (January, June or September session).This is also the deadline forfinalisingyour ISP incl. MT-course.

  27. Feedback sessions • What?Possibilityto present the progress of your Master Thesis toan independent jury of MIBEM lecturersforadditional feedback. • Onlyforstudentswho have MT in their ISP • 3x/year. Students are invited via Toledo. • Notobligatory

  28. Questions ...? Please, consult the specific presentations on Toledo first! For any additional questions: Carla Morlion (internally organised MT + general questions) T’Serclaes – room B05-22 Tel 02 609 18 05 -- carla.morlion@kuleuven.be Els van den Bosch (externally organised MT – Company projects) T'Serclaes – room B05-16 tel 02 609 18 04 -- Els.vandenbosch@kuleuven.be

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