Master's Degree Dissertation
Code: 44795 ECTS Credits: 12| Degree | Type | Year | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4318288 Paleobiology and Fossil Record | OB | 0 | 2 |
Contact
- Name:
- Judit Marigo Cortes
- Email:
- judit.marigo@uab.cat
Teaching groups languages
You can check it through this link. To consult the language you will need to enter the CODE of the subject. Please note that this information is provisional until 30 November 2023.
Prerequisites
- Having satisfactorily completed the rest of the master's modules.
- Completion of the Final Master's Thesis will necessarily be carried out during the second semester. Exceptionally, students may be authorized to carry out and defend their Final Master's Thesis during the first semester, if the rest of the modules have been satisfactorily completed during the previous year, and for some justified circumstance the alumni have not been was able to complete the Final Master's Project during the second semester of the previous year.
Objectives and Contextualisation
- Delimitation of the problem. Contextualization of a scientific objective to be solved based on previous scientific debates.
- Setting up a working hypothesis. Determination of suitable methods or likely to be used to demonstrate or refute the validity of the initial working hypothesis.
- Obtaining primary data. Statistical or discriminant treatment of numerical data. Descriptive work and development of qualitative data. Discussion of the data obtained and contextualization within a previously defined scientific debate.
- Obtaining conclusions. Elaboration of a scientific report in article format. Oral presentation of the most relevant results derived from the research tasks carried out.
Learning Outcomes
- CA14 (Competence) Produce a written and illustrated document related to palaeontology and observing specific format parameters.
- CA15 (Competence) Acquire the appropriate verbal communication and body expression techniques to make an efficient public presentation on the study of fossils.
- KA14 (Knowledge) Identify the importance of fossils as tangible evidence of the evolution of life on Earth.
- KA15 (Knowledge) Recognise the cross-cutting nature of palaeontology as an instrument for resolving problems and debates of a biological and/or geological nature.
- KA16 (Knowledge) Recognise modern techniques for fossil analysis and consequent processing of the data obtained.
- KA16 (Knowledge) Recognise modern techniques for fossil analysis and consequent processing of the data obtained.
- KA16 (Knowledge) Recognise modern techniques for fossil analysis and consequent processing of the data obtained.
- KA16 (Knowledge) Recognise modern techniques for fossil analysis and consequent processing of the data obtained.
- SA15 (Skill) Define a problem based on an active debate in specialist palaeontological literature and actively search for fossil material that might offer new evidence to help solve the issue.
- SA16 (Skill) Select the most appropriate analyses or experiments to solve a problem posed in palaeontology.
- SA17 (Skill) Summarise the most important aspects of one's own research and convey them to an audience that is specialised in the field of palaeontology.
Content
- Will depend upon Final Master's thesis project
Methodology
- Will depend upon Final Master's thesis project
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Activities
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Final Master's degree Thesis | 5 | 0.2 | CA14, CA15, KA14, KA15, KA16, SA15, SA16, SA17, CA14 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Final Master's degree Thesis | 120 | 4.8 | CA14, CA15, KA14, KA15, KA16, SA15, SA16, SA17, CA14 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Final Master's degree Thesis | 25 | 1 | CA14, CA15, KA14, KA15, KA16, SA15, SA16, SA17, CA14 |
Assessment
▪ Global evaluation of the work 40%:
• Clarity in the formulation of objectives and problems
• Internal coherence of the work
• The work shows the use of critical thinking
• Importance: utility, originality and/or innovation
▪ Use of theories 20%:
• Explanation of the theories underlying the work
• Synthesis and integration of theories and the theme
• Contribution to theoretical progress
• Clear explanation of the working hypothesis
▪ Research methodology (purpose for) 10%:
• Adequacy of the methodology to the theme
• Appropriate research instruments
• Description of the methods used
• Interpretation of data and results
• Consistency and adequacy of the conclusions
▪ Formal aspects 10%:
• Order and transparency in the work structure
• Regulations (spelling, syntactic, etc.) and formal correctness
• Updated and adequate bibliographical references
▪ Defense of the TFM 20%:
• Oral explanation: communicative and informative ability
• Adequacy in the use of new technologies
• Quality of arguments and debate
• Ability to defend one's own ideas
• Capacity for synthesis and adaptation to the assigned time.
In the evaluation of the TFM, the panel will be made up of three professors of the Master's degree, representing each of the institutions involved in teaching.
Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Autonomous hours | 16,66% | 25 | 1 | CA14, CA15, KA14, KA15, KA16, SA15, SA16, SA17 |
| Directed hours | 3% | 5 | 0.2 | CA14, CA15, KA14, KA15, KA16, SA15, SA16, SA17 |
| Supervised hours | 80,33% | 120 | 4.8 | CA14, CA15, KA14, KA15, KA16, SA15, SA16, SA17 |
Bibliography
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Software
- Word, Power Point