Thesis

The thesis work (written in English) accounts for half of the study load (30 ECTS) of the second year of HUMAN ECOLOGY. In addition, and related to the master thesis the 2nd year students have to write a manuscript as well as a PhD research proposal for the course 'Manuscript and Project Writing' (3 ECTS). The written and oral presentation of the thesis will be evaluated in the course 'Scientific Presentation' (4 ECTS).

Thesis topic
Students mainly work on their thesis mainly in the second year of the programme, but usually already determine a suitable research topic in the 1st year. In the 1st year (and also continued during the 2nd year) students are introduced to various departments and research groups of the Human Ecology-programme, which will help them work out a research topic and contact a promoter. The thesis can be performed in the different laboratories/departments of the lecturers involved. An info session regarding master thesis topics (based on interest of students) will be organized in May (1st year of Human Ecology). However, students are encouraged to propose a topic related to their home country within a human ecology perspective and linked to the expertise of the programme lecturers. The feasibility is discussed with the coordinator and programme director, who will help you to find the right promoter. Many foreign students perform their field work during the summer leave after the 1st year of Human Ecology. At the beginning of the 2nd year of Human Ecology you hand in your master thesis proposal to the coordinator, signed by you and your promoter. An electronic version is send to the Human Ecology secretariat. The proposal will be evaluated by the members of the department. A list of previous theses of Human Ecology students can be found on our website (under construction). Printed copies of all master theses are available in the Human Ecology library.

Thesis progress
At the start of the 2nd year of Human Ecology an information session regarding the guidelines of the thesis (under construction) will be organized by the coordinator (October). We will also organize two meetings to discuss the progress of the thesis (December and April). Finally test defenses will be organized in June and September.