30 ECTS credits
800 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 4021199FNR for all students in the 1st and 2nd semester at a (F) Master - specialised level.

Semester
1st and 2nd semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Enrollment Requirements
Registration for this course is only allowed for students registered in the reduced programme of the Master Biology - Human Ecology.
Taught in
English
Faculty
Faculty of Science and Bio-engineering Sciences
Department
Biology
Educational team
Franky Bossuyt
Promotor . (course titular)
Activities and contact hours

800 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

The master thesis is an independently made original scientific work, publicly defended by the student. The written master thesis consists of presenting the results in the form of a scientific paper (according to the directives available at http://we.vub.ac.be/nl/vakgroep-biologie/mybiovub) + maximum 20 pages of supplementary information. The practical implementation happens in collaboration with the promotor, and consists of fieldwork and/or experimental work done in a lab at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel or another national or international research institute or company. The effective promotor is always a ZAP member of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel but if the thesis is (partly) completed outside the home institute, a co-promotor from the other intitute/company is appointed.

Course material
Course text (Required) : Scientific literature on the topic of research.
Additional info

Scientific literature on the topic of research.

Learning Outcomes

General competences

After successful completion of the Master Thesis, the student is expected to

- be able to understand and critically interpret scientific literature

- be able to work independently, formulate research questions and make an appropriate research design

- be able to deal with unexpected situations and think in a problem solving context

- be able to collaborate with others

- be able to evaluate the social and scientific relevance of a certain topic

- be able to communicate his/her scientific work (writing and presenting)

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Master Thesis determines 100% of the final mark.

Within the Master Thesis category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Master Thesis with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 100% of the final mark.

    Note: Each master thesis will be presented orally and defended in front of an audience. The evaluation is done by a jury, approved by the exam commission, and consists of promoter/co-promoters, and minimum twee readers that have an expertise in a field related as closely as possible to the topic of the master thesis. The jury will evaluate on basis of following criteria:
    - Scientific content with emphasis on personal input
    - Working attitude during the research activities
    - Acquired knowledge on the topic of research
    - Structure of answers given during discussion session
    A comparative evaluation is guaranteed through the specific master thesis deliberation held just after the oral presentations and defenses.

Additional info regarding evaluation

Each master thesis will be presented orally and defended in front of an audience. The evaluation is done by a jury, approved by the exam commission, and consists of promoter/co-promoters, and minimum twee readers that have an expertise in a field related as closely as possible to the topic of the master thesis.  The jury will evaluate on basis of following criteria:
- Scientific content with emphasis on personal input
- Working attitude during the research activities
- Acquired knowledge on the topic of research
- Structure of  answers given during discussion session
A comparative evaluation is guaranteed through the specific master thesis deliberation held just after the oral presentations and defenses.

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Biology: AR Human Ecology 60 ECTS