Research project (Major thesis)

Uitgebreide vaknaam	Research project (Major thesis)
Leerdoelen	The major thesis in the second year repeats all of the stages of the minor thesis, but now with a great deal more independence of the student. Students select a supervisor among the teachers from BCN (listed on the student portal). Together they decide on the content of the thesis project, being performed either at the RUG or abroad. At the end of the research project the student is able to • conduct controlled and effective scientific research in the area of neurosciences; • independently investigate and critically evaluate neuroscientific literature relevant to the project; • formulate relevant research questions; • identify societal implications of the research; • reflect critically on ethical issues in relation to the Dutch code of conduct of scientific research as well as the code of conduct at the host institute; • formulate realistic research approaches to tackle complex questions; • develop and/or apply research methods to answer neuroscientific questions; • document and organize scientific data, in accord with the host faculty regulations; • manage time and priorities to reach research objectives in the allocated period; • reflect critically on one’s own attitude towards the research and research environment and adapt if necessary; • draw conclusions based on research outcome; • discuss the conclusions in the context of the state-of-the-art of the research field; • write a clear, structured and well-referenced scientific report detailing the research project’s hypothesis, findings, and conclusions; • effectively communicate acquired knowledge both orally and in writing.
Omschrijving	Students organize individually the selection and planning process, as well as the preparation of the work in agreement with the supervisor. It is also possible that part of the work is carried out in an institute elsewhere in the Netherlands or abroad, provided that the responsibility for proper supervision and grading is shared with a supervisor of BCN, and that the sojourn is not at the expense of other requirements in the second master year. The first version of the proposal has to be sent to the track coordinator (for deadlines see the important dates section on the student portal). After getting feedback, the 2nd version has to be send to the track coordinator and esc-bcn@rug.nl. The proposal needs to be approved by the Board of Examiners before the start of the project. Students are required to present their major project proposals during a symposium. These presentations (+/-15 minutes) should be as effective as possible, making good use of audiovisual equipment, and aimed at understanding by a broad background audience. Students are also requested to give peer evaluation and stimulate discussion. Presentations will be evaluated (no grade) by the track coordinator. The resulting major thesis states the problem investigated, the methods used, the results obtained and their analysis, and discusses the findings. The thesis should be at the quality level of an international journal publication (and may indeed eventually be submitted for publication). Students will be encouraged to place the work in broad strokes in the perspective of the current state of affairs in the respective scientific subfield.
Uren per week
Onderwijsvorm	Practisch werk (PRC) (Mandatory attendance.)
Toetsvorm	Practisch werk (PR), Presentatie (P), Verslag (R) (The same examination procedure applies as to the minor thesis. A second expert besides the supervisor may be assigned the task of grading the major thesis.)
Vaksoort	master
Coördinator	prof. dr. J.C. Billeter
Docent(en)	prof. dr. J.C. Billeter ,dr. M.R. Nieuwenstein ,prof. dr. A.J.W. Scheurink ,prof. dr. L.M. Veenhoff
Entreevoorwaarden	This course is available for BCN research master students only.
Opmerkingen	The results of the major theses have to be presented during the BCN Summer Symposium This course was registered last year with course code MLBCN2040
Opgenomen in	Opleiding Jaar Periode Type MSc Behavioural and Cognitive Neurosciences: Behavioural Neurosciences  (Compulsory course units) 2 semester II verplicht MSc Behavioural and Cognitive Neurosciences: Cognitive Neuroscience & Modelling  (Compulsory course units) 2 semester II verplicht MSc Behavioural and Cognitive Neurosciences: Molecular & Clinical Neurosciences  (Compulsory course units) 2 semester II verplicht