Supporting students with written work
An important aim of the programme is to enable students to independently apply their acquired knowledge of economic theories and methods to a scientific question. The thesis serves to demonstrate methodological and technical competences in the processing of existing scientific knowledge as well as in the handling and analysis of data.
Have you been asked to supervise a written thesis (term paper, Bachelor's or Master's thesis)? You can find helpful information here.
Lecturers, lecturers and research assistants of the faculty with a Master's degree are authorised to supervise a term paper. The term paper can be completed in the field of economics, business administration or methods.
Lecturers, lecturers and research assistants of the Faculty with a doctorate are admitted to supervise a Bachelor's thesis. The Bachelor's thesis can be completed in the field of economics, business administration or methods.
Lecturers, lecturers and research assistants of the Faculty with a doctorate are admitted to supervise a Master's thesis. Lecturers who offer courses within the specialisation (external lecturers are also admitted) are generally eligible to supervise Master's theses in a specialisation. In case of doubt, please contact studienberatung-wf@unilu.ch.
In addition to teaching the course, your teaching assignment includes supervising semester projects. Supervision of final theses is additionally compensated. (see teaching assignment at the University of Lucerne. Contact: studienberatung-wf@unilu.ch).
The topic can be chosen in consultation with the supervising expert, e.g., by students suggesting a subject area and then narrowing down the topic with the supervising expert. Most lecturers require students to submit a detailed topic proposal before agreeing to supervise the thesis. This usually includes the following:
- Title of the thesis
- 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
As a rule, at least two meetings are offered, either in person or online:
- An initial meeting to define and narrow down the topic. If both you and the student agree by the end of the meeting, the topic and supervision are formally approved. For Bachelor’s or Master’s theses, the topic agreement is recorded with signatures on a form provided by the student. External lecturers must also have the form signed by the study delegate, Professor Lukas Schmid.
- A concept discussion (typically after about one-third of the planned working time) to ensure the work is progressing in the right direction. Topics for discussion may include: a draft table of contents with estimated page distribution, a draft introduction, description of the approach, initial bibliography, and schedule for completion.
- A third feedback meeting after the thesis has been graded is recommended, especially for Bachelor's and Master's theses, and must be held if requested by the author.
Semester paper: The submission deadline must be agreed with the supervisor. If the semester paper is written in the last semester, it must be submitted by the deadline for Bachelor's and Master's theses at the latest so that it can be taken into account for the degree certificate. 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; see the examination page for exact dates).
Students submit their theses together with the form to their supervisor. In the case of Bachelor's and Master's theses, the thesis must also be submitted electronically to the Dean's Office.
After the correction, enter the grade on the form and write a written overall assessment. It should be formulated in such a way that any deficits are clear to the author and the grade is comprehensible. The overall assessment can be in text form or based on an assessment grid. If required, you can obtain a template of a possible assessment grid from the Student Advisory Service (studienberatung-wf@unilu.ch). The written overall assessment contains the following information in addition to the reasons for the assessment: Title and date of submission of the thesis, name of author, name of supervisor, date and signature.
Please send the written overall assessment together with the completed and signed form to the Dean's Office of the Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics and to the author for the purpose of performance recording.
