Master Thesis Preparation and Portfolio Environmental Engineering

This module prepares the final MSc thesis project, building on two products that need to be completed.

Portfolio Each student compiles a portfolio to show her academic and professional development (efforts, progress, and achievements in becoming an EnvEng professional). This portfolio process starts in the Program Module ENVM1000 and is followed through quarterly coaching meetings, and workshops on ethics and learning objectives. Students are guided to build the portfolio and determine progress in reaching the program Intended Learning Objectives. Part of the Portfolio is an assessment of students expertise on ethical issues, as well as on skills with perspective on their individual MSc thesis.

Thesis proposal A thesis research proposal is developed that includes the scientific, professional and/or societal relevance of the research together with a feasible methodology and planning. After topic and supervisor are known, the student plans research activities that allow to execute the thesis research within 30 credits. Budgeting of the research (in terms of time and/or money) is part of this process. Weekly sessions support students developing their proposals (content and structure of research proposals; formulating research questions and hypothesis). A critical review of relevant publications, and a plan how to continue using scientific texts in the thesis project, is part of (writing) a research proposal.

Assessment (Formative)

• Portfolio; To be (partially) in groups, as this allows comparing portfolios of students, both by the student(s) and coaches. These group sessions are based on

• Preparation Assignments; covering, e.g., students motivations, interests, and reflections about modules and their own development. For the coaching meetings, students will bring discussion topics from their assignments (and considering what students want to share with their coaching group), while access to the assignments and portfolios themselves will be restricted.

• Thesis proposal; The draft research proposal, including research questions, hypothesis and research approach will be regularly assessed during the module sessions by (peer) review and regular presentations and discussions with the peer group and thesis committee.

Assessment (summative)

• Portfolio (2 EC); As the portfolio is a direct bridge between the program and the thesis, the portfolio is finalized at the start of the thesis preparation. The final portfolio is built from the preparation assignments and discussions at the coaching meetings, as well as the materials developed during the provided ethics and learning objective workshops.

• Thesis proposal (3 EC); The research proposal is accepted as a useful start of the thesis project by the thesis supervisor and module manager.

Both assessment will be assessed with a rubric that is based on the study goals. The assessment of the Portfolio is a pass when a student has a satisfactory self-assessment. The research proposal is a pass when it is considered as a useful start (by the thesis supervisor) and is in line with what has been taught in the module (by the module manager).

See assessment

Permitted Materials during Exam

N/A