Master Research Scheikunde

Course goals

At the end of the first part of the research project, the student:

• knows the goals of the research project; this includes a translation of a problem in the field of catalysis, colloid science or nanophotonics into a relevant research question;
• has designed a suitable research plan;
• has obtained first results and has analyzed them;
• is able to discuss these first results, in spoken and written English, including the underlying knowledge and background to a target group;
• learns to critically evaluate his/own learning process and to discuss this with the supervisor in order to adjust the process.

The assessment results in a pass, fail or repair.

Content

The Nanomaterials Science research project consists of 36.5 EC or 59 EC.* Part 1 consists of 15 EC and Part 2 of 21.5 EC or 44 EC, this corresponds to roughly 26 or 41 weeks full-time work. New students can start earliest on October 1^st of their first year. This way all students can familiarize themselves with the research done at UU and meet with prospective supervisors.             
The exact number of weeks is calculated by: 0.7 x the number of EC's, which results in the number of full time weeks.
Before starting the research project, apply in Osiris and make a case which includes the deadlines of Part 1 and 2, a project description and planning.

Part 1: 15 EC
The duration of Part 1 is 15 EC of full-time work and is assessed after a Go/No-Go presentation which will be held before the end of Part 1, around 9 weeks. Assessment is based on your learning process and the proposal.

• you know the goals of the research project; this includes translation of a problem in your research field into a relevant research question and design;
• you have obtained first results and have analysed them and can present them in a comprehensible way;
• you have a clear strategy for the second part of the research project;

Part 1 consists of a literature proposal of roughly 5 EC. This proposal will not be graded, but will be assessed at the Go/No-Go assessment.             


Guideline for the proposal:

• The topic is that of the research project
• It should summarize the state of the art
• It should include the research question and a research plan
• The length should be around 15-20 pages
• The proposal should cover 40-50 references

Assessment of Part 1, Go-NoGo presentation:

• A “Go” means the student successfully finished part 1 and can start Part 2 of the Research Project. The student receives the 15 EC for Part 1.
• A “No-Go” means that the student failed Part 1 and thus does not get credits for this part. The student will start looking for a new project.    
• If it is not clear yet if the student can continue or not an “aanvullend” can be given, however, there should be a clear deadline after which the student is assessed again.

Part 2: 21.5 EC or 44 EC
The duration of Part 2A is 21.5 EC and the duration of Part 2 is 44 EC and will mainly consist of carrying out the research described in the proposal. In part 2 the research project will be executed, finalized and written down in a thesis. Finally the findings will be presented during your final presentation.
Assessment is based on:

• Process 30%
• Results 30%
• Master thesis 30%
• Presentation 10%

NOTES:

• (Gen)AI can be used in a responsible and ethical manner to improve your text with explicit and written permission of the examiners which will be added as appendix to the final report. Please discuss and sign the GenAI disclosure agreement with your first examiner in the first week of your project.