Master's thesis

Language

French

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
Mémoire	At LSM, the thesis is an autonomous, objective and methodical work that leads the student to implement several key skills of their training (as described in the skills framework XXX): in particular, mastering knowledge, applying a scientific approach, acting as a socially responsible actor, developing, managing a project, and communicating. To achieve these training objectives, the Master's thesis 120 in Management Sciences and Management Engineering must combine two approaches:  1. It must be based on a critical review of the theoretical knowledge and methods specific to the subject covered in the thesis. The theoretical foundations of the work must be clearly presented and discussed. 2. It must include systematic work to produce original results. This work may consist, for example, in the collection or production of new data, the original exploitation of existing data or the application of an existing methodology to a new field. The methodology used must be clearly explained.  In addition, the thesis should contain three reflections on its potential contributions: 1. Scientific contribution: to propose an independent and critical investigation, starting with the formulation of research questions and objectives and leading to individual contribution, clearly based on current knowledge (concepts, theories, models, methods, limitations etc.). 2. Managerial contribution: provide an analysis of the problem and propose the development (at least partial) of a solution or formulate proposals useful for managerial decision-making. 3. Societal contribution: reflect on the societal impact of the project or research.

Content

The thesis in Management Sciences and Management Engineering can take two forms, all of which will ensure, regardless of their specificities, that they meet the above objectives but which will also evaluate other more specific skills.  (Each thesis type may or may not be linked to a traineeship).

	Thesis-research	Thesis-project
Specific Objectives	Master the research process and produce rigorous research-related output	Propose a sufficiently sophisticated application of the theoretical teachings and specific methods acquired during the studies
Content (for information purposes only)	1. Literature review 2. Research questions 3. Analysis model or analysis methodology 4. Observation/data collection/modelling 5. Presentation of the analysis and discussion of the results 6. Critical setback and implications	1. Research questions 2. Review of literature anchoring the issue addressed in a field of management knowledge 3. Methodology related to the project or intervention 4. Presentation of the project or problem  5. Presentation of the analysis or solutions  6. Critical perspectives and implications
Contribution	A contribution to the production of scientific knowledge or methodologies	A contribution to the solution / analysis of a concrete problem of one or more organizations/companies
Approach if thesis related to an internship	-  Link to the research internship at the Research Institute to which the sponsor is affiliated. - Contribution within an existing field of research or aimed at exploring new themes.	- Link between the thesis topic and field experience during the internship in a company or organization.  - Linking practical experience with theory.
Approach if thesis not related to an internship	The thesis will be based on the literature and scientific methodologies.	The thesis may consist of a case study related to a company or companies but without having completed an internship.

Unless expressly authorised and justified by the promoter and the programme manager on a cover page (not counted in the thesis), the text of a thesis may not exceed 80 pages outside the annexes (maximum 120 pages for a joint thesis). However, it can be less than 80 pages long. 

Evaluation methods

A Master 120 thesis at the LSM must be distinguished by:
-The scientific quality and relevance of the literature consulted and the research methodology
- A sufficiently sophisticated application of specific theoretical teachings and methods
- The quality of managerial and societal reflection.
The thesis evaluation panel shall be composed of at least the supervisor and a reader designated by the Chair of the Juries. The jury of the thesis evaluates the work produced on the basis of:
1. the interaction between the student(s) and the supervisor (and the co-supervisor) throughout the course of the teaching activity (including compliance with deadlines and, where appropriate, the submission of the thesis for the June session);
2. the handwritten document submitted by the student(s);
3. an oral presentation and defense of the work (each lasting about fifteen minutes) in the presence of this jury.
The supervisor first assesses the value of the work provided by the student(s) since the beginning of the teaching activity. On this basis, he/she shall determine, within the time limits prescribed by the faculty, whether the thesis can be defended orally at the next examination session. If the answer is yes, the supervisor signs the authorisation to print. It is important to note that the authorisation to print is in no way synonymous with the success of the teaching activity; indeed, the written work and the oral defense must still be evaluated by the jury, as described below. In the event that the supervisor considers that the work done so far is not sufficient enough to organise an oral defense, he/she invites the student(s) to continue the work and defend at the next examination session, always subject to his/her prior agreement.
The objective of the public defense is to evaluate:
- Students' understanding and mastery of the subject;
- Their creativity in the proposed solutions;
- Their ability to synthesize and their mastery of oral presentation techniques;
- Their ability to manage/overcome any obstacles and difficulties throughout their work.

Other information

Deadlines for submitting thesis (paper and electronic versions) are:
- Early January for the January session,
- End of May for the June session, 
- Mid-August for the September session.
The precise dates for submission of the thesis may be found in the LSM academic calendar (https://intranet.uclouvain.be/fr/myucl/facultes/lsm/calendrier-aca-admin.html), available on the intranet.
Students who submit their thesis in September should be aware that during the July and August periods, professors are much less available. It is therefore imperative that each student ask his/her supervisor for their availability as early as May and agree upon a schedule for the final reading of the thesis. 
No additional time will be allowed for the submission of the thesis, but students will be given the opportunity to send additions or corrections to the members of the jury by whatever means he or she deems appropriate before or during the defense.
E-filing: Each student must submit an electronic version of their thesis to the DIAL library platform of the UCL.
Paper filing: Submission of the complete file (in accordance with the checklist) is required; the "checklist - submission of the thesis" informs students of all the details and documents to be provided.The application can be submitted by a third party, but the student must ensure that the application is complete to avoid its refusal. 
The following programs have special provisions:  CPME, CEMS, DD, IB, IB, Digital Marketing. These are included in the "Memory Brochure" accessible via the intranet.

Bibliography

L’étudiant effectuera les recherches bibliographiques nécessaires à son travail, avec le soutien de son promoteur académique.
Dans la rédaction du mémoire, les étudiants sont tenus de respecter le Code de déontologie en matière d'emprunts, de citations et d'exploitation de sources diverses défini par le Conseil académique du 9 février 1998 (annexe 1). En particulier, il est de votre seule responsabilité d’étudiant d’éviter toute forme de plagiat https://uclouvain.be/fr/etudier/plagiat
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The student will carry out the bibliographic research necessary for his work, with the support of his academic supervisor.
In writing the thesis, students are required to comply with the Code of Ethics for Borrowing, Quoting and Exploitation of Various Sources defined by the Academic Council of February 9, 1998 (Appendix 1). In particular, it is your sole responsibility as a student to avoid any form of plagiarism https://uclouvain.be/fr/etudier/plagiat

Faculty or entity

CLSM