24 ECTS credits
600 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 4016380FNR for all students in the 1st and 2nd semester at a (F) Master - specialised level.
The Master thesis consists of a personal and original manuscript demonstrating the student's ability to identify scientific or technological issues and to apply his/her knowledge, skills and competences while adopting a logical and coherent scientific methodology. The Master thesis must be written in English. The lenght of the main body (without appendices) must be limited to 60 pages. The Master thesis is a work that integrates skills and knowledge. Whether directed to academic research and/or industry, it must be a personal and original contribution to the field.
The thesis subjects from all research groups involved in the specialization are communicated to the students in the 2nd half of May of the academic year preceding the academic year of the Master thesis. Master theses have an orientation towards academic and/or industrial research.
The student is followed by a supervisor (promoter), who is a member of the ZAP of VUB or ULB. In addition, the student may have one or more co-supervisors from other departments, other universities, or from industry. An extensive research infrastructure within both VUB and ULB is available for the master theses research.
Can reformulate complex engineering problems in order to solve them (simplifying assumptions, reducing complexity).
Having consciousness of the ethical, social, environmental and economic context of his/her work and strives for sustainable solutions to engineering problems including safety and quality assurance aspects.
Having the flexibility and adaptability to work in an international and/or intercultural context.
Havin an attitude of life-long learning as needed for the future development of his/her career.
Can conceive, plan and execute a research project, based on an analysis of its objectives, existing knowledge and the relevant literature, with attention to innovation and valorization in industry and society.
Can correctly report on research or design results in the form of a technical report or in the form of a scientific paper.
Can present and defend results in a scientifically sound way, using contemporary communication tools, for a national as well as for an international professional or lay audience.
Can collaborate in a (multidisciplinary) team.
Can work in an industrial environment with attention to safety, quality assurance, communication and reporting.
Can think critically about and evaluate projects, systems and processes, particularly when based on incomplete, contradictory and/or redundant information
Having a critical attitude towards one's own results and those of others.
Having a creative, problem-solving, result-driven and evidence-based attitude, aiming at innovation and applicability in industry and society.
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Master Thesis determines 100% of the final mark.
Within the Master Thesis category, the following assignments need to be completed:
At the end of the academic year, the students give an oral presentation and defend their master thesis in front of a jury, in which external jury members may be present. For this assessment, a mini-jury is composed for each Master thesis by the Curriculum Council. Each min-jury is composed of minimum 4 voting members, including at least : the chairperson, the supervisor, the co-supervisor (if relevant), and two independent reviewers (among which preferably at least one from the other university than the supervisor).
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Electromechanical Engineering: Aeronautics
Master of Electromechanical Engineering: Robotics and Mechanical Construction
Master of Electromechanical Engineering: Energy
Master of Electromechanical Engineering: Sustainable Transport and Automotive Engineering