Choosing and proposing a subject
In order to graduate, you must choose a Professor within your Degree Programme, who will assess the validity of your proposal about the topic for your dissertation. The chosen topic must be consistent with your study plan.
While writing your dissertation, you will have to prove you are able to put together and summarize a bibliography about the subject. The chosen style for bibliography will have to comply with the required editorial rules.
Editorial rules and information about the Final Examination Board
Please find here basic editorial rules to write a dissertation:
- length: between 50,000 and 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 grade and information about Final Examination Board
Final grade results from the average of all the marks obtained (denominator is 110. Result is rounded up) and the grade given to the dissertation ( for dissertation, a grade from 0 to 8 points is given. This result is rounded up, too).
For the dissertation, a mark of more than 6 points can be given only if the Degree Programme Director is informed by te Supervisor of this proposal. Proposal needs to be sent within 30 days before the graduation day by the "contro-relatore" (second supervisor).
The second supervisor will express her/his opinion about the dissertation to the Examination Board. His/her opinion will certify the quality of the dissertation. If the second supervisor cannot attend the examination, he/she will express his/her opinion about thw final grade earlier.
In order to evaluate the dissertation:
- presentation of dissertation will last no less than 20 minutes;
- The Examination board is made up of 3 members at least. A number of 4 would be preferable
- mark will be given according to the dissertation typology. The examination Board will follow these criteria:
- if the dissertation is a "compilativa" type one, a maximum of 4 points can be given ("Compilativa" means a dissertation showing all available bibliography about the chosen topic)
- if the dissertation is a project-type one, a maximum of 7 points can be given (in a project-type dissertation, a project about a specific topic is explained)
- If the dissertation is a research-type one, a maximum of 8 points is given (in a research-type dissertation, an unexplored topic is chosen, and a research is carried out about it).
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.
The Final Examination Board, having taken into consideration the dissertation discussion as well as the candidate's curriculum, will decide the final grade. The final grade will be publicly declared after the dissertation presentation (or published on the last day of the Graduation Session on Studenti Online).
