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Research Project

All students of the Master Brain and Cognitive Sciences have to conduct two research projects. These are a mandatory part of the Master programme.

For more information about the research project, please read the research project information and procedure guide.

Aim

The general aim of the thesis is that students display adequate knowledge, skills, understanding, and ability in the field of study to successfully participate in academic discussions, and contribute to these with their own research.

Research Project Opportunities Database

During the year all research labs offer different projects for master students to conduct for their master's programme. It gives a good insight in projects available at the UvA, NIN and AMC. Please note that this overview is never complete so you can also contact (other) researchers of the different research labs to see what they have to offer. If you don’t find the right Research Project for you in this document, please search in the Research Project Database of 2008/2009. Some projects might be in need of interns.

Overview of Research Opportunities
update: 26 August 2010

Research Project Database 2008/2009

Approval

All research projects are subject to approval from the Board of Examiners. Students should apply for approval of a research project by filling out the Research Project Approval Form. This form consists of two parts: 1) Approval Form, in which the research project is explained, 2) Master Study Plan, on which you fill out the components you have already completed or are still planning to commence in the master phase.

There is a monthly deadline for applications to the Board of Examiners. This deadline is each last weekday of the month. The Board of Examiners will report back to you on the outcome of the assessment before the end of the next month. You need the approval in order to graduate as a MSc. in Brain and Cognitive Sciences.

Submit approval to:
Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies
Board of Examiners - Master Brain and Cognitive Sciences
Sarphatistraat 104
1018 GV Amsterdam

Or hand your form in at the secretary’s office (room 0.13 at the Sarphatistraat 104, c/o the Board of Examiners) or via studieadviseur-iis@uva.nl.

Please be aware that you have to submit all the supplements that are mentioned on the form

Guidance and Supervision

Students should select a supervisor, a co-assessor and an examiner for their research projects. During the research project the supervisor should be available or ensure that there is always someone available to discuss problems within a reasonable time.

  • Supervisor: Is responsible for the research project and is a permanent member of staff, a PhD or post doc at the research institute where the research project takes place. The supervisor assesses and grades the research project. 
  • Co-assessor: Is a permanent member of academic staff, a PhD student or post doc at the UvA (preferably from a different discipline than the supervisor). The co-assessor reads, assesses, and grades the research project. The co-assessor and UvA representative can be the same person
  • UvA representative: Is a permanent member of academic staff at the UvA. The UvA representative guards the level of the research project if necessary. The UvA representative doesn’t grade the project unless the roles of UvA representative and co-assessor are combined. The UvA representative can mediate between student and supervisor if necessary.

Grading / Assessment

The grading consists of three components: experimental work, research report and presentation. The results of the project should be reported in a scientific journal article. The results of the project should be presented and defended in public.

Please find the research project grading form below, you can hand this over to your supervisor.
Research Project Grading Form

Important forms:

Presentation/Colloquium

All students have to hold a final public presentation of their research project. This presentation (colloquium) is part of the final grading. The supervisor has to be present, preferably your co-assessor and/or UvA representative is present as well, though this is not mandatory. The colloquium consists of two parts: 30 minutes presentation, 30 minutes defense. Students have to conduct the colloquium in the final stage of their research though they don't have to have finished the research project. It is the responsibility of the student to set a date and time for the colloquium with the supervisor (and/or co-assessor) and to inform the study advisor three weeks in advance. This way a room can be booked if necessary and it can be made public.

Weight factors 
Student and supervisor should agree in advance on the relative weight of the various parts of the project (experimental work, research report and colloquium). The weight factors should be stated on the research project approval form. Some research groups use a standard allocation of EC. The final grading takes place after the research report has been submitted and the colloquium has been held. Experimental work, report and colloquium are assessed and graded by the supervisor. The co-assessor reads and grades the research report and possibly the colloquium. The supervisor and co-assessor decide on a final grade, which is then communicated to student and to the Education Office of the Master Brain and Cognitive Sciences. The student should receive an explanation of the mark/grade.

Please find more information about colloquium dates here.