Supporting students with written work
One key objective of studies is to enable students to take the knowledge they have acquired of scientific theories and methodology and independently apply it to a research problem. This work is designed to demonstrate methodological and specialist skills in processing existing scientific findings and in handling and evaluating data.
Do you want to support your students with their written work (semester dissertations, bachelor's and master’s theses)? You can find useful information plus some useful tips and tricks here.
Lecturers, temporary lecturers and academic members of faculty staff holding a master’s degree are permitted to supervise a semester dissertation. A semester dissertation may be completed in the fields of economics, business management or methodology.
Lecturers, temporary lecturers and academic members of faculty staff holding a PhD are permitted to supervise a bachelor’s thesis. A bachelor’s thesis may be completed in the fields of economics, business management or methodology.
Lecturers, temporary lecturers and academic members of faculty staff holding a PhD are permitted to supervise a master’s thesis. In principle, lecturers offering classes in the relevant specialisation (external lecturers are also permitted to supervise) can be considered for the supervision of master's theses with a specialisation. If in doubt, please contact studienberatung-wf@unilu.ch.
In addition to conducting courses, the supervision of term papers is part of your teaching assignment. The supervision of bachelor’s or master’s theses will be financially compensated (see teaching assignment of the University of Lucerne, contact: Studienberatung-wf@unilu.ch).
The topic can be chosen in discussion with the specialist supervisor, e.g. by the student proposing a topic area and then narrowing the topic down together with the supervisor. Most lecturers require students to develop a proposed topic before they will agree to supervise the thesis. This will generally consist of the following:
- Thesis title
- Research question(s)
- Practical and/or scientific relevance of the topic
- Theory or literature used
- Methodology and analysis method
- Expected results and implications for science and/or practice
At least two meetings are generally offered (either in person or online):
- A kick-off meeting to define and narrow down the topic. If the student and you, as the specialist supervisor, agree at the end of the meeting, you approve the topic and supervision by signing the form (presented by the student). For external lecturers, the form must also be signed by Director of Studies Prof. Lukas Schmid.
- Concept meeting (e.g. after 1/3 of the planned working period) to ensure that the work is heading in the right direction. The following points may also be covered: draft table of contents with weighting (estimated page counts), draft thesis introduction, description of procedure, initial bibliography, thesis preparation timetable.
- A third feedback meeting may also be optionally offered after the work has been marked.
Semester dissertation: The submission deadline must be defined with the supervisor. If the semester dissertation is written in the final semester, it must be submitted no later than the deadline for Bachelor's and Master's theses in order to be considered for the diploma. The exact dates can be found on the examinations page.
Bachelor’s and Master’s theses: There are two deadlines per year for submitting theses (May and December, for exact dates see examinations page).
Students submit their semester dissertation / thesis together with the form to the supervisor. In the case of Bachelor's and Master's theses, the thesis is also sent electronically to the Dean's Office.
The key frameworks for written papers (length, structure, format, references etc.) are governed by our regulations for semester dissertations and bachelor’s and master’s theses.
Available upon request from academic student advisors at studienberatung-wf@unilu.ch
