Getting a supervisor

FOR STUDENTS

How to get a supervisor?

In the initial phase of the course we will match students and supervisors. In order for this to happen you need to have a Student Project Proposal.

You may approach a teacher that you know has some insight into your area of research. The more developed your idea is the better. Think of the SPP as an supervisor "ad".

In the SPP, specify who you have contacted, or who you aim to contact, or if you need help getting a supervisor.

After handing in your SPP, your assigned supervisor will contact you with further instructions. Please note that you might get another supervisor than you asked for. If you are not contacted within two weeks, come to the tutoring sessions (schedule) and discuss with us.

Communication with your supervisor

Please note that some supervisors may not be active on Slack and may prefer email, contact in person or other ways.

Remember that you as a student have the main responsibility for accessing your allocated supervision hrs. However, you need to ask, not demand! Plan in collaboration with your supervisor. Be flexible, try to find a schedule that suits both sides. We recommend ≈30 minutes per week, saving 5 hrs of the total allocated supervision time for the last part - keep in mind that reading and commenting takes time.

The role of the supervisor is to:

  • Help you plan your work to make sure that it can be completed in time.
  • Give feedback on the SPP
  • Focus the work to make it feasible
  • Meet you regularly to discuss the progress of the degree project and give feedback on your work.
  • Help you develop a scientific methodology, suitable for your problem.
  • Participate in the examiner seminar
  • Answer your emails within a reasonable time frame.
  • Make sure that your project and report is of an acceptable standard before you present your work and, if it is not, inform you of what you need to do to reach an acceptable standard.
  • Notify the course manager if you will be finished in time to present your thesis project at a certain date.

FOR SUPERVISORS - BUT ALSO GOOD TO KNOW FOR STUDENTS

Plan supervision

Plan for 8-10 hours of meetings with your students. Book 10-20 meetings. We recommend weekly 30-min. meetings, preferably on the same weekday and time.

  • If the study pace is for 50% during the full spring term, this would allow approximately ~20-45 minutes each week per student group.
  • If the study pace is for 100% starting in March, i.e. for theses that start in March, then plan for ~60 minutes each week per student group.

Also set aside ≈5 hours for reading and commenting towards the end of the course. Students should submit that version to you on the 21st of May, see the Timeline

We suggest a close reading by you needs to be done twice during the thesis process. Firstly, when the students have the introduction and method chapter ready for the examiner seminar, and secondly just before May 21st. Set deadlines together with your student groups when they should hand in their thesis to you for reading and decide on when they can expect feedback.

PLEASE NOTE! This year we want the students to write shorter - but better! (i.e., more precise, more efficient) - theses. We aim for an absolute maximum of 25 pages. Shorter is OK, but longer is a no go. Talk to Daniel if you have any questions or suggestions on this.