Getting ready: writing and grading information

Choosing and proposing a subject

To graduate, you must propose a dissertation subject to a teacher within your Degree Programme, who will assess the validity of your proposal in relation to your study plan.  You will have to prove to be able to put together and summarize a bibliography on the subject and re-elaborate it based on the required editorial rules.

Editorial rules

Basic editorial rules to write a dissertation:

• length: maximum 100,000 characters (including spaces);
• font: Times New Roman or Arial;
• font size: 12 or 13 (10 for footnotes);
• right-left and top-bottom margins: 2.5 cm;
• spacing: 1.5 cm.

Final Paper

The degree exam consists in the preparation of a written paper, in English, with a structure similar to a short paper, with an indicative length not exceeding 15 pages. The drafting of the paper aims at highlighting the ability of the student to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the three years, as well as his ability to present them.

Normally, the student chooses the topic of the final report under the guidance of a supervisor in a disciplinary scientific sector among those provided for by the study program. In all other cases, the authorization of the Study Programme Board is necessary to assess the consistency of the topic of the final report with the educational objectives of the course of study.

In relation to the specificity of the chosen disciplinary area, it can also be accepted as final project the written report of the results of a research conducted during internship activities.

Final grade

The Board will assess the candidate's overall performance – dissertation, curriculum, time taken to complete their studies, transfers from another University or another programme – applying specific rules for each Degree Programme.
The Board expresses its assessment with a grade out of one hundred and ten. The exam is deemed to be passed with a minimum grade of 66/110 and a maximum grade of 110/110. In the case of granting a maximum grade, the Board may also grant honours (lode) by unanimous decision.
See the information on how to calculate the average score based on your study programme

The criteria to assess dissertations are:

• originality of the subject,
• correct methodology,
• level of in-depth analysis,
• adequate writing and editing,
• ability to express and present the dissertation.

Additionally, the Stats&Maths Board evaluates dissertations as follows:

§ 0.33 points for each exam with honors ("lode")
§ 1 point for candidates who participated to an Erasmus Programme
§ 1 point for candidates who did an internship (long or short)

§ Points for candidates "in corso":

• 5 points for the I degree round (July);
• 4 points for the II and II-bis degree round (October and December);
• 2 points for the III degree round (March).

You are "in corso" if you have matriculated 3 years before your graduation.

§  from 0 to 3 points awarded to the final dissertation by the Graduation Board.

Please notice that the sum of all the previous points cannot exceed 10 points.

For further information on the matriculation of the previous years, see the website page.

The Final Examination Board, having taken into consideration the dissertation discussion and your curriculum, will decide the final grade, which will be proclaimed after the discussion (or published on the last day of the Graduation Session on Studenti Online).