OVERVIEW

The final exam allows the student to acquire the ECTS related to the experimental thesis on an original topic to be carried out in a research laboratory under the guidance of a Supervisor appointed by the CCS of the Master’s degree course.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The final exam requires an experimental thesis on an original topic to be carried out at the research laboratories of the Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry of the University of Genoa or, on request, at external, national or foreign structures (University, public or private laboratories or research institutions, public or private industries), under the guidance of a Supervisor. The results of the activity will be shown in a written dissertation prepared in an original way by the student under the guidance of a Supervisor and discussed orally before a Committee including teachers of the Master's degree course and expert in the field. During the thesis, the student will acquire the skills and methodologies necessary to face systematic research problems (basic and / or applied) as well as to analyze and report the results rigorously and clearly.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the final test is to verify that the student has attained the proper skills and abilities to develop an experimental research program on an original topic, albeit under the guidance of a Supervisor.

During the experimental work, lasting not less than 7 months, the student must demonstrate that he is able to:

• carry out the tasks entrusted to him systematically and independently;

• organize and manage the experimental activity;

• properly use the equipment made available;

• team work;

• consult the literature relevant to the experimental activity;

• analyze and critically evaluate the data acquired;

• report rigorously and clearly the results obtained in a written dissertation prepared in original form by means of appropriate lexicon and terminology.

During the pre-graduation seminar and graduation session, the student must demonstrate that he is able to:

• orally present the topics and the data obtained in a clear, concise and rigorous way;

• discuss the results achieved;

• properly answer the questions asked by the Degree Committee.

TEACHING METHODS

The CCS prepares a detailed regulation of thesis activity and final exam which can be consulted at:

https://corsi.unige.it/9020/p/laureandi-tesi-progetti

https://chimica.unige.it/sites/dcci.unige.it/files/pagine/REGOLAMENTO_PROVA-FINALE_LM-CI_Aprile2021_FINALE.pdf

The student, in agreement with the Supervisor, chooses a first co-Supervisor to whom the CCS will support a second co-Supervisor among the teachers of the MFN School of Sciences. The co-Supervisors must critically follow the progress of the research and must be periodically informed by the student on the development of the experimental activity.

At least 11 days before the graduation exam, the candidate must send a copy of the thesis, in electronic format, to all members of the pre-graduation seminar Committee.

As a rule, 7 days before the graduation exam, the student will have to present the content of his thesis in a public seminar, which will be attended by the Supervisors, the Co-Supervisors and all the members of the pre-graduation seminar Committee. During the pre-graduation seminar, he will have 30-40 minutes to present the thesis and 20-30 minutes to discuss the results. The use of electronic media is allowed.

Supervisors and Co-Supervisors unable to participate in the pre-graduate seminar must submit a written judgment on the thesis to the President of the aforementioned Commission at least three days before the date of the seminar.

The pre-graduation seminar Committee presiding over the pre-graduation seminar must, unless exceptional cases, be the same of the Degree Committee.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The final exam consists of an experimental thesis lasting no less than seven months corresponding to 38 ECTS. The results of the activity will be shown in a written dissertation prepared in an original way by the student under the guidance of a Supervisor and discussed orally before an exam Committee composed of teachers of the Master's degree course and/or experts in the field.

As a rule, the student must have acquired at least 50 ECTS before starting the thesis work. Motivated exceptions to this rule may be taken into consideration for students who have already acquired 44 ECTS at  discretion of the Commission for Curricular Requirements.

The student freely chooses a Supervisor and, in agreement with the latter, the theme of the degree thesis, which must be in accordance with the learning outcomes of the Master's degree course.

The Supervisor of the thesis work must be a professor of the Master’s degree course in Industrial Chemistry, or another professor of the MFN School of Sciences of the University of Genoa.

Detailed information on the final test of the degree course in Industrial Chemistry can be found at:

https://chimica.unige.it/node/408

An overview of the topics available for the degree thesis - frequently updated to take account of the progress of the teachers’ research activities - is available at:

https://chimica.unige.it/sites/dcci.unige.it/files/pagine/Tesi_disponibili-Available_Internships_all_0.pdf

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

There are not recommended texts, as they are closely related to the topic chosen for the experimental thesis.

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Scheduled dates for graduation sessions are available at the link:

https://corsi.unige.it/9020/p/laureandi-calendario-commissioni

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

During the academic year, 8 graduation sessions are normally scheduled, chaired by a Degree Committee composed of at least five elements.

The CCS prepares a detailed regulation specific to the graduation exam which can be consulted at:

https://chimica.unige.it/sites/dcci.unige.it/files/pagine/REGOLAMENTO_PROVA-FINALE_LM-CI_Aprile2021_FINALE.pdf

The candidate will not be able to access to the final exam before 7 months from the start of the thesis. The time available for each candidate for the presentation of the thesis with the help of an electronic medium and for the answers to the questions of the Degree Committee is 10—15 minutes.

In case of emergency and only according to specific indications by the University of Genoa, the assessment method for the final exam might be changed, including the possibility of an online procedure.

At the end of the oral presentation, the Degree Commission values the thesis with a degree mark (expressed in one hundred) deriving from the following sum:

1) weighted average of the ECTS acquired during the degree course including the supernumerary teachings;

2) evaluation of the seminar activity, expressed with a score from 0 to 1, also in fractional terms;

3) evaluation of the school curriculum (1 point will be added to the candidate who graduates in time);

4) evaluation of the thesis work, expressed collectively by the Degree Committee with a score of up to 6 points.

Candidates who graduate in time and have acquired at least 12 ECTS abroad will receive 1 additional point as a prize.

Candidates who reach a total score of 112/110 will be able to be unanimously awarded cum laude by the Degree Committee.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The main purpose of the final exam is to verify the student's acquired ability to argue the issues developed during the experimental thesis and critically discuss the results obtained.

The criteria followed by the Degree Committee are listed below.

For the written dissertation: clarity of contents and synthesis, use of adequate vocabulary and terminology, care in the format of the text, care in the selection of bibliographic references.

For the oral presentation: mastery in the argumentation of the topics, effectiveness in both verbal and graphic expression, ability to critically evaluate the results obtained, ability to answer the questions of the Degree Committee and actively participate to the discussion.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information please contact Proff. Davide Comoretto e Marina Alloisio. Both teachers are available every day by appointment.