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Master Thesis III

Course developer

Prior knowledge

VidEN001, Master Thesis

VidEN002, Master Thesis II

Course abstract

The aim of the study course is to develop a master's thesis through creative scientific collaboration with the supervisor in a field related to the chosen sub-study program and the institute's focus area. As part of the study course, the student must prepare a report and presentation on the conducted research and present at an international scientific conference. The master's thesis must demonstrate the student's skills and abilities in solving engineering problems relevant to the economy and conducting research. The student's scientific literacy should be at a level that corresponds to a master's degree globally.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge – Extensive, in-depth theoretical and practical knowledge and understanding of research conducted in the relevant field of science, the latest research technologies and equipment, their potential applications, research result processing, and presentation possibilities.
Skills – The ability to use the acquired knowledge in the development of the master's thesis: analytical situation analysis, evaluation and development of research methodology, creation of new knowledge based on conducted research, summarization, evaluation, and interpretation of results. The ability to defend and scientifically justify decisions made in solving engineering problems.
Competence – The ability to independently work with engineering calculations and analysis of varying complexity and scale, conduct experimental and analytical research related to the chosen thesis topic. The ability to prepare a report and presentation on the conducted research.

Course Content(Calendar)

In full-time on-site studies:
1. Conducting experiments. (50 h)
2. Systematization of all research results. (50 h)
3. Mathematical processing of research results. (50 h)
4. Error evaluation, result discarding. (50 h)
5. Analysis of experiment results. (50 h)
6. Description of experimental equipment and materials used. Description of the experiment programs. (50 h)
7. Development of the final version of the situation analysis. (50 h)
8. Formatting the theoretical part of the thesis. (50 h)
9. Development of the final version of the literature list. (50 h)
10. Conclusions and recommendations. (50 h)
11. Formatting the final version of the thesis according to the methodological guidelines. Preparing the thesis for pre-defense. (50 h)
12. Pre-defense of the thesis. (50 h)
13. Eliminating the shortcomings noticed during the pre-defense. (50 h)
14. Binding the thesis and preparing it for submission to reviewers. (50 h)
15. Preparation for the thesis defense at the relevant MEK meeting. (50 h)
16. Presentation at the “TF Students and Master's Students Scientific Conference” or a similar conference. (60 h)

Requirements for awarding credit points

Assessment. The student reports on the completed work at an extended institute meeting, presenting the work done during the semester. A certificate of participation in the scientific conference must be submitted. All master's thesis preparation tasks must be completed.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Development and formatting of the master's thesis. Preparation of the presentation for the thesis defense. Preparation for the scientific conference.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

To pass the assessment, the development and formatting of all sections of the master's thesis is required, along with a successful presentation at the extended institute meeting and a presentation at the scientific conference.

Compulsory reading

1. Vārtukapteinis K., Berjoza D., Dukulis I. Metodiskie noteikumi maģistra darbu izstrādāšanai un aizstāvēšanai akadēmiskajā maģistra studiju programmā lauksaimniecības inženierzinātne. [tiešsaiste] Jelgava, 2023. [skatīts 20.02.2023.] Pieejams TF mājas lapā: https://www.tf.lbtu.lv/sites/tf/files/files/lapas/Metod_norad_Mg_d_Lauks_inz-zin_2023.pdf

Further reading

1. Frye C. (2015) Microsoft Excel 2016 Step By Step. Microsoft Press, 544 p.
2. Lambert J. (2015) Microsoft PowerPoint 2016 Step By Step. Microsoft Press, 512 p.
2. Kothari C.R. (2012) Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques. 3rd edition. New Age International Pvt Ltd Publishers, 418 p.
3. J. Quirk T. J. (2016) Excel 2016 for Business Statistics: A Guide to Solving Practical Problems (Excel for Statistics). Springer, 260 p.

Notes

Compulsory for the Master's study program in Agricultural Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology.