Thesis/Final examination

More information in the Department web site.

The commitment for the realisation of the paper is 9 ECTS credits.
Objectives - the dissertation as a moment of contact between the university, the students and the world of work; - the dissertation as an evolving work: the framing of the topic must be structured within wide-ranging research projects in order to provide the student with an extended field of work in which to find his or her own space for action and to allow the tutor to develop research themes also through the dissertation; - the choice of topic it is advisable to initially consider and discuss with the possible degree tutor several topics in the field of design for the product and communication of the food system, chosen from a shortlist proposed by the tutor, or by the student himself/herself.
The role of tutor is open to tenured professors and researchers who teach in the Degree Course; contract professors who are holders of or collaborators in teaching in the Degree Course in Design.
For each topic, it is also appropriate to assess: 

• The type of topic: whether research or project-related.
• The advisability or necessity of having a co-tutor (in the case of a multidisciplinary final examination).
• The availability of time and its commensuration with the 9 ECTS credits.

Characteristics - elements of originality; - methodological development; - value as pre-contractually relevant work.

Evaluation Criteria The evaluation is carried out taking into account certain fundamental factors such as, but not limited to:

• the coherence with the learning objectives of the degree course undertaken;
• the methodological soundness of the research;
• the path of analysis of the thematic scenario tackled;
• the in-depth design and/or disciplinary research;
• any practical spin-offs and concrete applications; - the ability to synthetise and expound during the discussion phase, also in compliance with the time allocated by the committee.

On request, the Final Examination may be written in English.
The determination of the final grade is assigned to the degree committee, which will examine the overall average of the examinations on a basis of 110. To this average, the committee may normally add up to a maximum of 5 points determined by taking into account:

• the assessment of the written paper;
• the time taken to complete the studies;
• a range of information on the student's degree course: e.g. number of honours awarded, course abroad, any extracurricular activities, etc.

Honours may be awarded upon reaching a score of 110 at the discretion of the committee and by qualified majority, i.e. at least 2/3 of the committee members.

With the preparation and drafting of the final examination (9 ECTS credits), which consists of a research paper that the candidate writes under the guidance of a tutor and possible co-authors and presents to the Degree Committee for discussion, there is an overall assessment of the candidate's ability to apply what has been learnt in the various course units. This final examination, the mark for which will be a grade out of 110 and which delves into and develops an interdisciplinary topic often chosen from the placement experience, requires the integration of knowledge acquired in various course units and the ability to bring new developments to bear, as well as to communicate them concisely and effectively.