- •Master's thesis methodical guide Regulations on procedures for preparation, presentation and defense of master’s thesis
- •Contents
- •1 General Issues
- •2 Master’s Thesis Writing and Defense
- •2.1 Selection of Master’s Thesis Topic
- •2.2 Approval of Thesis Topic and Supervisor
- •2.3 Responsibilities of Master Student and Thesis Supervisor
- •2.4 Individual Plan of Master Student Work
- •2.5 Certification and Interim Evaluation of Master’s Thesis
- •2.6 Final evaluation of Master’s Thesis by Supervisor
- •2.8 Reviewing of Master’s Thesis
- •2.9 Submission of Master’s Thesis by Head of Department
- •2.10 Preparation to Master’s Thesis Defense
- •2.11 Defense of Master’s Thesis
- •3 Reference Guide for Content and Formatting Thesis
- •3.1 General Formatting Rules
- •3.2 Abstract
- •3.3 Contents
- •3.4 Symbols and abbreviations
- •3.5 Introduction
- •3.6 Body text
- •3.7 Visual Content in Text
- •Figure 2.1 — State expenses on education in eu, million euro
- •3.8 Summary
- •3.9 Bibliography
- •3.10 Appendices
- •Appendix a Nomination of Thesis Title and Supervisor form
- •Theoretical foundations of strategic trade policy
- •The commercial disputes in the world information market
- •Dispute Settlement Process
- •Appendix g Formatting Requirements to Thesis
- •Appendix j Abstract sample
- •Abstract
- •Appendix к Table of Contents sample
- •Table of contents
- •Appendix l Symbols and Abbreviations sample symbols and abbreviations
- •Appendix м Specimen of Tables and Figures Formatting
- •Figure м — Share of tourism in total governmental expenditures in developing countries during 2000-2009
- •Appendix n References sample
- •Appendix p Bibliography sample bibliography
- •Appendix q Certificate of Adoption of Master’s Thesis Findings form
2.11 Defense of Master’s Thesis
The master’s thesis defense is held in open at the last semester of the Magistracy on the appointed date in discussion with examiners. The defense is conducted at the meetings of Examining Board.
A master’s degree is granted by the decision of the relevant Examining Board (the jury) created by the higher education establishment – BSEU.
A master's thesis is read by and subsequently defended before the Examining Board of no fewer than two and no more than four examiners. A meeting of the Examining Board shall be validly constituted when absolute 2/3 of its members are present at the meeting. The supervisor and official reviewers may not take part in the defense if they will give a positive view on the thesis.
Prior to the defense, the Chair of the jury receives a file containing the examiners' reports and other documents pertaining to the defense. The defense of each Master’s Thesis lasts 30 to 45 minutes.
The Chair of Board begins the oral defense by inviting the student to present the subject of the thesis. The time allotted for this purpose is specified by the Chair. (10 to 15 minutes is usually sufficient.)
An open defense of the Master’s Thesis should be held in a scientific debate, in a high exacting standards and principled manner. During the defense, the correctness and substantiation of all results, scientific and practical proposals of the thesis should be comprehensively analyzed.
While reporting on thesis matter, try to be short, concrete and not to read but to narrate.
The Chair then invites the examiners to question the student on the thesis. A second round of questions may be appropriate. Finally, the thesis supervisor is given the opportunity to comment or ask questions.
After completing the defense of the thesis the members of the Council hold a vote in a prescribed manner. The members of the Board exchange their views to arrive at a decision. The Chair indicates the decision on the form Thesis Defense Report under the appropriate category and, if appropriate, notes whether the examiners are prepared to recommend the thesis for a prize.
The members of the Examining board will render one of the following three verdicts:
the thesis is accepted for the degree. The thesis supervisor will ensure that all corrections are made, as required by the Examining board;
the thesis must be revised and undergo the evaluation and defense process again;
the thesis is unacceptable and the candidate must withdraw from the program.
The assessment of student knowledge during the thesis defense is taken by a simple majority vote. The defense of master’s thesis is assessed according to 10-points scale: 9-10 as “excellent”, 6-8 as “good”, 4-5 as “satisfactory”, 3 and below as “unsatisfactory”.
The Chair immediately informs the candidate of the verdict.
A candidate who is not recommended for the degree must withdraw from the program.
If the thesis is approved at the defense, the committee will sign the final approval document. Students who have passed the defense and have met all other degree requirements will be eligible for graduation.
In the case of re-enactment of the negative decision, resubmission of the thesis is permitted within the period of the work schedule of the Examining Board, but not earlier than 10 months after the student’s withdrawal.
In the case of the thesis will not be submitted for the defense, the student of Master’s level will be granted a certificate of attendance of the relevant programs.