Final examination: procedures and deadlines

Choosing and proposing a subject

The final examination in DHDK consists of the discussion of a thesis/dissertation in front a Committee. The dissertation should be prepared under the guidance of a supervisor (relatore). The objective of the thesis is to show that the student is able to perform scientific research individually and to report the study and its conclusions in a clear way. It likewise serves as a practice for those intending to pursue doctoral studies after their successful completion of the program.

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.

DHDK final examination consists in the discussion  of the master thesis in front of a Committee composed by professors of the DHDK . The commission can grant from 0 to 5 points to the dissertation, which are added to student’s admission grade.

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

Content & layout: writing your thesis

Structures and contents

The following sections are usually required in the thesis:

•  Title page (containing the name of the supervisor, the subject taught by the supervisor and the student registration number - matricola)
• Table of contents
• Table of figures (if applicable)
• Summary / Abstract
• Introduction / Background
• Main part (methods, discussion, results)
• Conclusion
• References
• Appendices (if applicable)

Students have to refer to the supervisor concerning more detailed information on the thesis structure, contents and on the timing to deliver documents for his/her revision.

Layout

The thesis topic must be related to one of the subjects covered by DHDK courses and it is chosen according to the personal and academic interests both of the student and of the supervisor.

The final thesis could also be related to the internship experience, based on a specific project or focusing on a particular topic dealing with the hosting organization or its activity.

The length of the thesis is recommended about 100 pages, including notes, tables and attachments (references excluded).

It must follow these criteria:

• Interlinea/line space : 1 or 1,5
• Times or similar font : 12
• Margin: 2-2-2-2
• For the title-page, frontespizio, the use of the UNIBO logo is NOT allowed on the cover.
• Recommended bibliography style: Chicago (Author Date, Page). Here some examples: https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide/citation-guide-2.html
  • in-text citation: (Smith 2016, 15)
  • in the bibliography:
    • Book: Last Name, First Name. Date. Title of book. Edition Number. Place: Publisher.
    • Book chapter: Last Name, First Name. Date. “Title of the chapter”. In Title of book, edited by First Name Last Name, Pages number. Place: Publisher.
    • Article: Last Name, First Name. Date. “Article Title.” Journal Name Volume, Number (Subnumber): Page Numbers. doi
    • Website content: Last Name, First Name. Date. “Page Title.” Website Title. (retrieved Date Accessed). Web Address

N.B: In the sitography section you must put websites and online projects references, on the contrary, in the bibliography section add books and articles you cite in your thesis. Remember that if you cite an online article, the reference must be put in the bibliography section, not sitography.

• Language: English
• Figures and tables captions: Place Figures and Tables in text as close to the reference as possible (see Figure 1). Captions should be Times New Roman, 9-point bold and should be placed below the box and aligned to the left. Each caption should contain numbering (e.g., “Table 1” or “Figure 2”), a title and, if necessary, its source.
• Quotations:
  • if the quotation is shorter than two lines, please cite in high quotation marks
  • if the quotation is longer than two lines, please write the passage in an indented block.
• Notes: in footnotes you may place some additional information or a link to a website.