Master thesis and defense
Handling and regulation of the supervision of master's theses as well as assignment of master's thesis topics
The master thesis is written in the third/fourth semester of the master program. The regulation about the handling and supervision of master theses as well as the assignment of master thesis topics within the master program GLOBAL STUDIES is defined as follows:
- The topic of the master's thesis must be meaningfully related to the disciplinary specialization and in particular to the submodule "Scientific work and research context" (research module) (see curricula). An explicit connection of the master thesis topic to a specific course is not required.
- The master thesis comprises 20 ECTS.
- In addition to writing the Master's thesis, the corresponding courses from the assigned submodule "Scientific Work and Research Context" (research module) from the chosen disciplinary specialisation must be completed for the specialisations Business and Environment and Society and Culture. At least 12 ECTS from the chosen disciplinary specialisation are required to attend the course accompanying the Master's thesis (e.g. Master's seminar/Master's colloquium or similar). This point is not a prerequisite for the specialisation in Law and Politics.
- The topic of the Master's thesis must always be chosen in such a way that it can be completed within six months and is reasonable.
- The Dean of Studies is responsible for approving the Master's thesis topic.
- The supervisor has two months for the evaluation.
- The following applies to the choice of the supervisor: The supervisor must be assigned to the chosen disciplinary specialization in which the master's thesis is written and must usually be a habilitated professor.
ATTENTION: For all study plans, the period between the official submission of the Master's thesis to the URBI Dean's Office and the Master's examination/defense must be at least 4 weeks!
Defense of the master thesis
After the positive assessment of the master thesis, the oral defense of the thesis (as a subject examination with 1 ECTS) takes place, possibly even before all ECTS required for the degree have been completed. The examiner is the supervisor of the master thesis. In addition, a person has to keep the minutes. This person has to have a valid scientific employment at the University of Graz, but requires neither a doctorate nor a habilitation. The candidate organizes the defense himself/herself in consultation with the supervisor (date, place, submission of the necessary forms to the Dean's Office). Online defenses are possible without approval, but must also be registered at URBI Dean's Office via form. Subject of the defense is (a) 15 minutes presentation of the work and (b) 10 minutes discussion of the work.