Thesis - 30 ECTS
The final stage of the iGEON programme is dedicated to the execution of an individual research project. You work independently on an approved research topic connected to one of the research themes of UT/ITC or LU/GIScentre. In this final block of the programme, you further develop your research skills, interact with your fellow students and staff members and, finally, demonstrate that you have achieved the programme objectives for the Master of Science degree by research, on a satisfactory academic level.
Learning outcomes
You will be able to:
- Define, plan and execute a research project dealing with a problem related to the application of geoinformation and earth observation in a domain that suits his/her background and course followed;
- Write a concise, logical and well structured thesis describing and discussing the key elements of the research process, the findings and recommendations;
- Orally present and defend the work done before the Thesis Assessment Board. The Oral Presentation of the thesis can be done via telepresence (i.e. Skype or equivalent). An in person presentation, is of course allowed, but is not required;
Content
Based on the final accepted research proposal you will carry out the planned activities. You will be provided with guidelines for the thesis early in the course. Regular individual progress meetings with the supervisors, through e.g. skype or video conferencing, will be held to monitor the progress on the research and thesis writing, and records of the progress will be kept. The supervisors keep the programme coordinator informed about the progress.
The activities normally include:
- Describe and define a problem statement and research topic and its research margins;
- In-depth literature review, including assessment of the usability of literature and previous research;
- Collection of relevant online – and archived data;
- If appropriate, preparation and execution of fieldwork to collect primary data required for the research;
- Data processing and analysis and, if deemed necessary, adjustment of the research plan in consultation with the supervisors (based on sound arguments);
- Active participation on the discussion board of the research theme under which the MSc research resorts;
- Mid-term presentation through skype or video congerencing before an audience of staff and fellow students;
- Preparation of the final manuscript of the MSc thesis (=hardcopy thesis and CD-ROM with thesis, appendices and full dataset including the original data and results);
- A critical review of the quality, use and usefulness of the data and results, as well as the learning process;
- Oral presentation and defence of the MSc thesis before the Thesis Assessment Board, all in accordance with the relevant paragraphs of the MSc regulations;