Final examination: modalities

• The final examination for the degree is public and consists of a discussion of a text written by the candidate (min. 40 folders - 1800 characters, including spaces/folder). 

• The test may make use of hardcopy, digital, audiovisual, multi or other kinds of media. 

• The final degree examination will be conducted under the guidance of one or more professors of a discipline and on a topic consistent with the educational objectives of the Degree Programme and must be assigned in a discipline that has been included by the student in the plan of studies; any exceptions must be granted by the Degree Programme Director and then ratified by the Degree Programme Board. 

• The supervisor of the final examination is either the faculty member in charge of the discipline or the faculty member with whom the examination in the discipline was taken. 

• The thesis advisor identifies at least two colleagues from the same disciplinary area or from disciplinary areas related to that of the topic covered in the thesis and composes the subcommittee before which the graduate student will present his or her paper; each subcommittee thus consists of at least three members, including at least two structured faculty members. Only in cases of absolute necessity, recognized by the Degree Programme Director, may one of the structured faculty members be replaced by an adjunct faculty member. 

• There is no limit to the number of papers submitted to each subcommittee. 

• The supervisor, in agreement with the other components, sets the date (within the terms of the official calls) and place of the discussion and communicates them, within the terms indicated by the Director, to the Teaching Tutor and the graduate student. 

• The discussion of the paper is public. 

• Members of each subcommittee receive the final paper (in hard copy or .pdf, at their discretion); it is the supervisor’s responsibility to inform the graduate student of the procedure; at least one member of the subcommittee (in addition to the supervisor) will serve as discussant of the final paper. 

• Any faculty member may serve on more than one subcommittee per graduation session, either as the rapporteur or discussant. 

• At the end of the session, the secretary will take the minutes, filling out the appropriate form, which should contain: the first and last names of the commissioners; the first and last names and university ID number of the graduating students; title of the papers; and proposed score, between 0 and 3 points. If the student is graduating in time, has earned at least 3 “lodi”, with a paper of good methodological and formal level and a good dissertation, up to 4 points can be awarded. However, the final grade is up to the final examination committee. 

• No proclamation takes place at the end of the discussion; the discussion does not award the degree. 

• Not discussing the paper in subcommittee results in inability to graduate in the same session. 

• At the graduation session (to be held by the end of the session), the committee assembled for proclamation, will assign the final grade, without any additional discussion of the paper by the student. 

• The committee for the proclamation is composed of 3 full members and 2 alternates (who must keep themselves available on the day set for the proclamation), chosen from the structured staff of the Degree Programme; prior to the proclamation, the committee compiles the minutes and assigns the graduation grade, considering the admission grade and the proposal for the evaluation of the final paper formulated by the subcommittee. The proclamation of the outcome of the final paper is public. 

If the discipline in which you are graduating is outside the study plan, fill out the form on this page and email it to the Teaching Tutor to get the Director's signature.  

Once you have obtained the form with the Director’s signature certifying approval of your request, send the form complete with all signatures to the Student Administration Office. 

It is recommended that you submit the form in a timely manner when you meet the admission requirements for the final examination. 

For clarification you can contact the Teaching Office. 

The basic editorial standards for thesis writing: 

1. Texts should be written using Times New Roman font. 

1. The font body should be 12 (notes go in body 10) 

1. Right-left and top-bottom margin size should be 2.5 cm. 

1. Line spacing should be 1.5 

For more information see the featured attachment Editorial Standards for Dissertation Writing.