Thesis Development 2

Deliverables

The deliverables at the end of the second semester consist of a total of five items, which are defined in detail as follows:

1. Current status of the written thesis > to be uploaded into folder "Thesis Theory"

Delivery of the current state of the theory thesis that allows for a meaningful assessment of successful completion of the thesis in the graduation semester. This includes:

• Cover sheet with the thesis title, author, mentors, specialization, profile A/B/C. 
• Detailed table of contents with comprehensible outline and components of the thesis 
• Comprehensive bibliography
• Substantial part of the main text: writing of at least 2/3 of all chapters or 2/3 of the required total number of characters (total number of characters = 75'000 to 150'000) 
• Clear, defined thesis statement respectively from the thesis-derived research question and/or hypotheses that are aligned with the project content and objective. 
• Description of the objectives and contribution of the research work: interest and relevance for the target group and the design discipline (What is new? Where is the innovation? Who is working on the same topic?) 
• Explanation of the approach to the research and the choice of methods 
• Description of the research conducted and interpretation of the findings
• Formulation of resulting design questions for further project work 

2. Abstracts in German AND English (incl. picture) > to be uploaded into folder "Abstract"

Compact short description of the master project on max. one A4 page in German and English supplemented by a representative and meaningful project image. 

• Abstract in German (750 characters incl. spaces; tolerance +/- 10%) 
• Abstract in English (750 characters incl. spaces; tolerance +/- 10%) 
• Meaningful image (300dpi) 

3. Individual project plan for the 3rd semester > to be uploaded into folder "Schedule"

In a separate document, briefly describe the work planned for the third semester and submit an accompanying schedule (approx. 2-3 A4 pages) 

• Short and concise project disposition for the 3rd semester (i.e. activities and work packages) 
• Time schedule (i.e. temporal structuring of these activities) 

4. Presentation > Final Colloquium / Work in Progress Exhibition  

All students present the current status of their work by means of an exhibition on the occasion of the end-of-semester colloquium in the respective specialization.

• Formulation and explanation of the project status including main thesis and research question.
• Reflection on the previous research and development process as well as the methodological procedure 
• Findings and conclusions so far 
• In preparation for the diploma exhibition, the students present the current results within an exhibition. This exhibition should show sketches, models, prototypes, explanatory models, illustrations, etc.
• Assessment of the design and social relevance taking into account the chosen profile A/B/C 
• Presentation of the interplay of the theory thesis with the design work
• Critical self-assessment "where do I stand now" - "where will I be at the end of the master’s degree program". 
• Outlook and project planning until graduation 

5. Insight into the research and design workbook  >  to be uploaded into the folder "Thesis Practice"

Documentation and systematic presentation of the individual development process in analogue and/or digital form.

• A structured overview of the process to this date; chronological order of the investigations carried out, experiments, drafts etc. 
• Compilation as an analogue workbook and/or access to an adequate digital online format (e.g. blog)

More details about these deliverables can be found here in German & English. 

Examination