Supervisory team

Klik hier voor Nederlands

The student is coached throughout the entire process of the Master’s thesis: on the one hand, by a supervisory team for content-related aspects and specific research methods; on the other hand, during the Master’s thesis seminar, by a teacher with expertise in general research methodology and the formal and communicative aspects of academic research.

The supervisory team consists of at least two people: one or more internal (co-)supervisor(s) and advisors affiliated with the joint study programme of Engineering Technology at Diepenbeek and, possibly, one or more external (co-)supervisor(s) and advisors affiliated with another faculty, company or institution in collaboration with which the research is conducted. There must always be at least one internal supervisor (even if the Master's thesis is conducted at a foreign host university/research institute or company). In addition to this internal supervisor, at least one other person must be added to the supervisory team, either from the company or institution involved in the collaboration, or from the joint study programme.

Up to two persons can be involved in each supervisory function.

As there is a wide variety in research topics for the Master’s thesis (e.g. experimental versus more theoretical research), the concrete approach of the supervisory team will vary from one Master’s thesis to the other. The description below outlines a general profile of each of the agents involved in the Master's thesis. It may serve as a starting point for more specific agreements with regard to content, form, and procedures. If so desired, the agreements between the student and the supervisory team may be laid down in a charter, signed by both parties. Here you can find some tips for drawing up such a charter.

Student

The student is the main agent in the Master’s thesis process and has the final responsibility for his/her Master’s thesis. He/she should prove to possess the necessary skills of a beginning researcher (see Evaluation). This means that the student demonstrates that he/she can independently conceive, plan and carry out domain-specific application-oriented research in a project-based manner.

During the entire project the student is responsible for taking the initiative to regularly and transparently communicate with the supervisory team. At the start of the Master’s thesis, he/she should make clear arrangements in this respect with his/her supervisory team (method and frequency of communication, primary contact person within the supervisory team, who should always be involved in every communication,…). The student is responsible for planning the necessary meetings with the supervisory team, providing a concrete agenda (state of affairs, problems, planning for the coming period,…) in order to enable constructive feedback.

The student respects the general deadlines and timely performs the administrative tasks related to the Master’s thesis (see Administratie voor aanvang).

The student carries out the assignments related to the Master’s thesis seminar and respects the deadlines here as well (see Master’s thesis seminar and Toledo).

Supervisory team

The members of the supervisory team provide feedback, monitor the planning/progress and evaluate all aspects of the Master's thesis (process/progress, thesis and oral defence). Their names are mentioned on the cover of the Master's thesis, on the poster and in the abstract. For more information on the evaluation, click here.

Internal/external supervisor(s)

The internal/external supervisor(s) have final responsibility with regard to the supervision of the student. They determine which tasks are to be delegated to co-supervisors and/or advisors. It is therefore possible that the primary contact person for the student is the internal/external co-supervisor or internal/external advisor because, for example, they have specific expertise in the area of the Master's thesis topic.

There are a maximum of 2 internal and 2 external supervisors.

Internal/external co-supervisor(s)

In addition to the supervisor(s), the supervisory team can also be reinforced by one or more internal/external co-supervisor(s) because of their specific expertise in the field. They are often the primary contact person for the student in terms of guidance.

There are a maximum of 2 internal and 2 external co-supervisors.

Internal/external advisor(s)

Everyone who is involved in the supervision of the Master's thesis and is not a (co-)supervisor takes on the role of advisor, each with their own specific expertise. They are often the primary contact person for the student in terms of guidance.

There are a maximum of 2 internal and 2 external advisors.

Additional assessor

The supervisory team may decide to appoint an additional assessor for the evaluation of the Master’s thesis. The internal supervisor informs the student(s) of this decision.

This may especially be the case if the Master’s thesis is conducted in a research group with a restricted supervisory team, or if the supervisory team wishes to complement its assessment with that of an independent expert.

Master's thesis seminar teacher

During the Master’s thesis seminar, the student receives coaching with regard to research methodology, communication and reporting. The student actively works on his/her own Master’s thesis, applying the tools and knowledge he/she is offered. The teacher provides regular feedback, which allows the student to continuously adjust his/her work in view of the end product. During the Master's thesis seminar, the following items are dealt with:

• project-based working,

• communication and reporting.

The Master’s thesis seminar teacher does not provide feedback with regard to the content of the Master’s thesis. To this end, the student should turn to his/her supervisory team.

Function profile

This memo provides an overview of the necessary requirements for taking up the role of internal supervisor, co-supervisor or advisor. Joint programme staff members can access this document with their UHasselt-account.

External supervisors and co-supervisors preferably have a doctoral degree (or equivalent scientific experience) or have extensive professional experience as an engineer. There are no specific requirements for external advisors.

Report abuse