General guidelines for the Master’s thesis and graduation
The Master's thesis (40 ECTS) consists of a theoretical part based on scientific literature, an experimental or practical part (Master's project), participation in the Seminar, and giving a presentation on the thesis in the Seminar.
Before starting your Master’s thesis work you need to have earned approximately 40 to 50 ECTS. Otherwise, contact Eija Nordlund.
Thesis topic and supervisors
You may do your thesis work in almost any institution; the only requirement is that the supervisor there has at least the degree of MSc. You can have 2-3 supervisors, at least one of which must be from the Department of Information Technology, Bioinformatics (typically Tapio Salakoski). You should write a brief research plan of your proposed thesis project, and send it to Tapio Salakoski and Eija Nordlund. The research plan is approved by Tapio Salakoski. The thesis topic must be from the field of bioinformatics.
Thesis work
The work of the writer must show that he/she
- masters the topic of the thesis
- is capable of both critical and logical thinking
- can use the selected scientific method(s)
- is able to handle large amounts of data
- is able to correctly discuss materials and academic methods
- can use literature effectively
- is able to present the written subject according to the foundations of scholarly language.
For more information, see ‘ Master’s Thesis Seminar ’ –slides by Kai Kimppa.
There are no exact rules about the format of the thesis. The only existing rules concern the title page and the thesis abstract (see model of Title page and Abstract page ). Electronic abstracts of the Master’s theses of the Department of Information Technology can be found here . Previous theses are available in the ICT-library. Instructions concerning the structure and layout of the thesis can also be found through the internet.
Typically, a thesis consists of:
Title page, Abstract, Table of Contents, Introduction, Materials, Results, Discussion, Conclusions, References (Any journal style, but the recommended format is such that the names are included within the text, and listed in alphabetical order in the reference list. It is recommended to use Bibliographic programs, e.g.
RefWorks-tool
, instructions in Finnish
), (Appendixes).
The above mentioned titles for the actual text are only meant to serve as examples, and you should use such titles which best describe the content of your work.
When you have written your first version, you should provide it to your supervisor(s) for review.
After the review process is complete
When the review of the thesis is complete, the date for the maturity test (4 hours) will be agreed upon with Tapio Salakoski.
The maturity test is a requirement for the Master's degree to evaluate the student's ability to write a scholarly essay as well as his/her familiarity with the theories and problems of the thesis. The subject of the exam is based on the submitted thesis; its purpose is to show the student's familiarity with his/her field of study as well as his/her skills in writing. The exam is given in an essay format (approximately 500 words).
The supervisors will write a statement that includes a description of how your thesis has been graded. You should confirm that you have seen the statement (e.g. by signing it).
You need to provide Päivi Rastas (pairit@utu.fi, 4th floor, room B4042) with the following documents:
- one bound copy of the thesis,
- abstract page of the thesis (both electronic AND a paper copy)
Provide each of your supervisors with a bound copy of the thesis.
The Head or Vice-head of the Department of the Information Technology will officially approve the thesis.
Bound copies of the thesis
Print copies of your thesis. There are two companies close to ICT-building, where you can bring them. The process takes 2-3 days. For more information contact Eija Nordlund.
Grading of the Master's thesis
MSc thesis grades are the following, with laudatur being the best and approbatur being the worst passing grade:
- laudatur
- eximia cum laude approbatur
- magna cum laude approbatur
- cum laude approbatur
- non sine laude approbatur
- lubenter approbatur
- approbatur
See assessment criteria for a Master’s thesis
here.
Request for the degree certificate
After completing all the studies required for completion of the degree, the bioinformatics study module and the associated grade will be marked into the study register by Eija Nordlund. The final grade for the degree certificate will be calculated as follows: weighted average of the bioinformatics major courses (including the Master’s thesis). Thus, the grade for your thesis is a significant factor in determining the final grade.
NB. If you have earned more credits than are required for the degree, you may leave out some optional courses from your Master’s degree certificate and include them into any possible PhD studies that you may undertake.
Ask for an Application for the Degree Certificate form and transcript of records from Eija Nordlund. The form can also be found here . Please see the instructions on the backside of the form. Take the filled application form and the reviewed transcript to the Faculty Office.
Generally, certificates are issued once per week during the semester. The time for receiving the certificate is 1-2 weeks from when the request had been made. In order to get the certificate, the applicant must have registered him/herself as an attending student at the university during the semester in which the request is made.
Graduation ceremony
The Faculty organizes the public graduation ceremony once or twice an academic year. See: http://www.utu.fi/en/studying/students/degree/graduation.html