Learning objectives
Graduating students, by giving three seminars, are asked to
- prove their communication skills
- demonstrate sound capability in applying technical, professional or specialist skills and knowledge within the thesis subject
- meet the objectives set by the degree programme.
Prerequisites
To present the second seminar, students must have passed the first seminar. Supervisor approval is also required.
Course unit content
The thesis is based on an experimental project (preferably interdisciplinary) which can be carried out in a university lab or other organizations and companies upon bilateral agreements, in Italy or abroad. The student elaborates his/her thesis under the supervision of a professor of the master's degree or of the department, possibly helped by experts on the subjects in hand. In parallel with the experimental activity in preparation of the final exam, the candidate is required to perform three seminars in order to periodically monitor the advancements and report on achievements of the thesis work.
Full programme
- - -
Bibliography
Not applicable.
Teaching methods
The second seminar, reporting on materials and methods and preliminary results of the experimental activity in preparation of the final exam, consists in the presentation (in PowerPoint or other media programs) of the progress of the thesis project and, in detail, methods used for data collection, analysis and statistical validation. The seminar is given in English.
Assessment methods and criteria
The schedule of seminar sessions is published on the website of the degree programme. The seminar is given publicly, and the presentation must not exceed 12 minutes. The seminar is evaluated by a board composed of professors of the degree programme.
Grading will be based not only on the contents of the presentation (such as its organisation and logical flow), but also on its clarity and correctness (fluency and proficiency in the technical use of the English language; sound use of texts, figures, and animations; adequate font size; proper length) and the ability of the presenter to answer questions and engage the audience.
The grading scale comprises four levels:
- fail: the presentation does not meet the minimum academic requirements;
- satisfactory: a satisfactory performance, but with some shortcomings;
- good: a good performance which is satisfactory in most of the evaluation criteria;
- outstanding: outstanding performance clearly distinguishable.
Students receiving a fail grade are requested to repeat the seminar at a later date.
Other information
The registration to the seminar must be done online by filling a form (see the website of the degree programme) at least one week before the seminar session.
