Master research chemistry part 1

Content

Within the Sustainable and Circular Chemistry programme, the students can choose between a research project of 37.5 EC or 52.5 EC, which corresponds to roughly 26 weeks or 36 weeks of full-time work, respectively. Each project consists of two parts; Part 1 consists of 15 EC and Part 2 of 22.5 EC (Part 2A) or 37.5 EC (Part 2B). Students must choose before starting the research project which version they choose.             
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, students must 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.    

• 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 small proposal, the proposal will be assessed at the Go/No-Go assessment.
Guidelines for the proposal:

• The topic is that of the research project
• The proposal should summarize shortly the state of the art
• The proposal should include the research questions and research plan
• The proposal should include a concise overview of the results obtained so far
• The length should be around 4-6 pages
• The proposal should cover 10-15 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: 22.5 EC or 37.5 EC
The duration of Part 2A is 22.5 EC of full-time work and the duration of Part 2B is 37.5 EC of full-time work. 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:

• A critical essay will be attached to the research project report. This is part of the Portfolio course. This essay will be discussed with and assessed by the examiner of the research project, but will NOT be assessed as part of the research project. A separate form will be filled in by the examiner and uploaded to blackboard for the Portfolio course by the student.
• (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.