Learning goals

After passing the graduation project, students are able to:

  • Set up, plan and successfully execute the project. Setting up and planning the graduation work is expressed in the formulation of a project goal, research plan and project planning written down in the preparation phase report. Successfully executing the project also means regularly reviewing and updating the research plan if needed, showing a proactive attitude in informing your company and/or university supervisor about the status of your project, seeking help from your daily supervisor and/or fellow students, integrate into a team (if applicable).
  • Work independently on a large individual research- or design project, relevant to their master’s degree program, within a predefined time period. Independently implies that the students are able to solve many problems independently, but know when to ask for help. Moreover, the students are able to search for relevant literature and to apply the knowledge from this literature in the project.
  • Analyze the results (experimental, numerical, qualitative, or mixed-method) of the research and, where relevant, are able to perform an analysis of the required design or model of the project. The students are able to combine the new knowledge, acquired during the project, with the relevant knowledge obtained during their master’s program.  
  • Create or adapt tools, for example software, experimental set-up, theoretical model, conceptual framework, assessment tool or simulation model, required to carry out their project and come up with solutions for the problems encountered.
  • Write a report or scientific paper in English about the project, that is understandable to the members of the graduation committee, that satisfies the standards written down in the TU/e code of scientific conduct, that shows how study-related knowledge and newly acquired knowledge have been applied and that exhibits the student’s critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Present the work to an audience consisting of fellow master students, unfamiliar with the graduation project. Answer questions raised by the audience. Interact with the audience and make good use of facilities during the presentation.
  • Discuss the project with the members of the graduation committee and show in their answers to questions of the committee members that they are aware of the boundaries of their knowledge and that they have a broader understanding of the implications of technologies/sources as part of the energy supply chain and/or as part of the economic/societal energy system, considering sustainability aspects.