Master Thesis

The master thesis project is all about some topical (track-related) civil engineering quest with innovative potential, the answer to which requires integration ofacquired knowledge and skills as well as creativity and critical thinking in combination with societal and scientic awareness. It builds on preparatory workconducted in the Thesis Preparation (CIEM0400). The project may be related to ongoing work, either in house or at a private company, a research institute or a (non-)gouvernmental organisation, providedprior approval of the concerned track co-ordinator. Conditions may apply, forinstance regarding condentiality, intellectual property and so on. It is theresponsibility of the student to ensure that such conditions are agreed upon with all parties involved prior to the start of the project and in compliance with TUregulations (see ...). Commonly, but not by definition, this is dealt with already along with the formulation of a project proposal in the Thesis Preparation(CIEM0400).The primary deliverables are- a written report (the thesis) and- an oral presentation and defence (this is a public event, to be scheduled on campus, unless exceptional circumstances dictate otherwise)

Formative:

Next to feedback given by the daily supervisor or the supervisory team, the graduation committee (see assessment below) provides formative feedback in at least three meetings (that need to be included in the project plan):

1. a kick-off meeting at the start of the project;

2. a mid-term (when the project has progressed to the value of about 15 EC);

3. a green-light meeting, prior to which the student needs to hand in a final draft report and during which the student must give a draft final presentaion (i.e. a draft of the presentation the student will give as part of the thesis defence). If the graduation committee concludes that the work done thus far by the student and including the respons of the student to questions the committee has posed during the meeting, is sufficient to graduate (with a grade of at least 6.0), green-light is given. This means that the student may proceed finalising the report and prepare the final presentation and defence, using final feedback from thecommittee. Besides, a date can be set for the final presentation and the student can initiate the administrative procedure required for graduation (see BrightSpace). The final report needs to be provided to all graduation committee members at least five work days prior to the date set for the presentation and the defence. If the committee concludes that green-light cannot be given yet, it explains the student which improvements are at least required and a new meeting is scheduled. Such a postponement of green-light may adversily affect the final grade. (also see relevant TER/RGBE articles).

Summative:

The Master Thesis is assessed by a graduation committee as described in the TER. The grade is based upon the final thesis and the final presentation as a weighted average of five partial grades concerning:

1. Scientific approach (25%)

• theoretical profundity

• scientific argumentation

• quality of experimental or design work

• creativity

2. Quality of result/product (20%)

• scientific reflection and judgement

• utilisation of result or product

• extention or generation of methods

• amount of work

3. Behavioural Competencies (20%)

• initiative and/or own contribution

• independency

• communicative skills

• time planning

4. Quality of written presentation (20%)

• structure and consistency

• acknowledgement, references, quotes

• use of graphics

5. Quality of oral presentation and defence (15%)

• clarity and structure of the presentation

• quality of presentation material

• answering questions

To graduate, this weighted average much be at least 6.0 and only one of the partial grades may be less than 5.8, but not less than 5.0.For more information on grading, see article 14 in the Rules and Guidelines (RGBE):

https://www.tudelft.nl/en/student/faculties/ceg-student-portal/education/education-information/educational-rules-and-regulations/

Permitted Materials during Exam

N/A