The final exam (or final test) consists of the discussion, before a commission, of a written paper (thesis), aimed at ascertaining the candidate's technical-scientific preparation.

The candidate must write an original thesis (theoretical, experimental, or applied) under the guidance of one or more supervisors associated with a university laboratory or an extra-university institution where the training activity was conducted. The topics covered must be consistent with the content developed during the Master's degree program.

The preparatory activities for the final exam (called INTERNSHIP) must not interfere with the normal teaching activities of the Program and must be completed with a total commitment of 16 CFU. The internship can also begin in the first year for a total of 4 credits (INTERNSHIP FOR THE FINAL EXAM, 84209). These credits, which can also be earned in the second year, must be registered using the appropriate form (see attachment). The remaining 12 credits (INTERNSHIP AND FINAL EXAM, 84210) are automatically registered upon graduation.

Supervisors must include at least one tenured faculty member from the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MFN) or the Biology CCS.

The co-supervisor must be appointed at the beginning of the internship from among the faculty members of the Biology CCS and must not be part of the same research group as the supervisor or the laboratory where the student is conducting the research. The co-supervisor must monitor the student's project by organising three review meetings (one at the beginning of the project, one before the thesis is written, and one before the final presentation). The supervisor or other members of the research group may not attend these meetings, and they must be documented by completing a specific form (currently underway).

The thesis must be organized according to the standards accepted by the international scientific community (see the attached thesis template and thesis preparation guidelines):

• Description of the current state of the art and objectives of the research
• Description of the methodologies used
• Discussion of the results obtained
• Cited bibliography

A summary in Italian and one in English is required. The thesis may be written (and presented) in English; in this case, the CCS, through the supervisor, may require the candidate to prepare a summary in Italian. The thesis, reviewed and discussed by the supervisors and the co-supervisor, must be uploaded online to the degree application website and approved by the supervisor.

The candidate will have approximately 15 minutes for the presentation and may use audiovisual aids and tools. The presentation will be followed by a discussion of any questions raised by the Committee members.

To be admitted to the degree examination, it is mandatory to have earned all the credits required by the degree program's academic regulations.

The thesis must demonstrate the student's ability to address research and/or applied topics. The thesis must also demonstrate:

• adequate preparation in the disciplines characterising the Master's Degree
• correct use of sources and bibliography
• systematic and argumentative skills
• clarity of presentation
• design and experimental skills
• critical thinking

The final examination committee is composed of at least five members, tenured professors and researchers, including the President, and is appointed by the Director of DiSTAV.

The Committee will evaluate the final exam, if passed, by applying the following score to the weighted average of the exam grades:

• Maximum of 8 points plus an additional 2 points (1 point for a current degree and 1 point for a thesis written and presented in English or study periods abroad, recognised by the CCS, lasting at least 3 months)
• A maximum of 8 points is assigned as follows:
  • Supervisors and co-supervisors up to 4 points
  • Other committee members up to 4 points

The Committee will take particular account of:

• Quality, completeness, and originality of the work (up to 2 points)
• Presentation of the work (up to 2 points)

Cum laude is awarded, with the unanimous approval of the Committee, to students who achieve a final grade of at least 110 points. The Committee will, with the unanimous approval of the Committee, award publication rights to works that, thanks to the candidate's contribution, can form the basis for scientific articles in specialised journals.