Master’s thesis organization

The aim of a Master's thesis is to work independently on a scientific question or topic in the field of organization using an experimental research method or to work on a question posed by a cooperation partner.

There are two application and allocation rounds per year (see below under Procedure). Master's thesis topics are published here on 23 April and 23 October (see below under Topics), which you can apply for. 

Contact

Basic Information
Requirements

The requirements for a Master’s thesis at the Institute of Organization and Human Resource Management are transcript of records (achievements) in at least one of the following courses:

 

  • Advanced Organization I (formerly: Experimental Organization)
  • Advanced Organization II

 

In addition to at least one of these courses a transcript of records from one of the three seminars must be presented:

 

  • Seminar Organisational Practice
  • Seminar Field Experiments in Organizations
  • Seminar Field Experiments on Sustainability in Organizations

 

Should there still be places available, these will also be allocated to students who have not completed a seminar but have completed at least one of the courses. The regular registration period applies. 
Crediting 20 ECTS
Scope of the work
 30 - 50 pages
Language see Topics
Time for completion Maximum 20 weeks

Legal regulations

Declaration of Obligations IOP Organization (PDF, 165KB) Information Sheet Working with Artificial Intelligence - Version 1 (PDF, 140KB) Declaration of Academic Integrity Artificial Intelligence (PDF, 72KB) ‘IOP’ Information sheet Master’s theses Department of Organization (PDF, 372KB)

Procedure

If you would like to write your Master's thesis at the IOP, there are two dates each year when you can apply for an announced topic or with your own chosen topic.

  1. Publication of possible topics
    • 1st date: 23.04.
    • 2nd date: 23.10.
  2. Registration for Master’s thesis (student)
    • Registration period:
    • 1st period: 25.04. (12:00) - 02.05. (12:00)
    • 2nd period: 25.10. (12:00) - 02.11. (12:00)
    • Via e-mail to andrea.essl@unibe.ch

      Content: Name, matriculation number, contact details, transcript of records, at least 3 prioritized topics (see topics) or a short proposal for your own choice of topic or for a practical master’s thesis.
      Exception: For practical master's theses, it is possible to submit short proposals on an ongoing basis. Please ensure that you observe the guidelines in section 1.5 of the information sheet.

  3. Feedback (IOP-O)
    • 1st date: 11.05.
    • 2nd date: 11.11.
    • Via email to the student
      Content: Confirmation or rejection of supervision, assignment of the supervisor.
  4. Choice of initial meeting (student)
    • Registration period:
    • 1st period: 12.05. - 19.05.
    • 2nd period: 12.11. - 19.11.
    • Via email to the supervisor
      Content: Name, matriculation number, contact details, preferred dates (see period for kick-off dates in the announcement of topics)
    • Attention: If you register late for the kick-off meeting, your supervision confirmation will become invalid. By registering for the kick-off meeting, you accept a binding place for supervision. Withdrawal after acceptance will result in failure of the thesis and grading of 1
  5. Feedback (IOP-O)
    • Via email to the student Mail
      Content: Appointment scheduling
  6. Kick-off meeting (student, supervisor)
    • Possible time periods:
    • Period 1: 22.05. - 20.10.
    • Period 2: 22.11. - 20.04.
    • Place: online-meeting or supervisor’s office
      Content: Clarification of the topic
  7. Submission of the proposal (student)
    • When: 3 weeks following the kick-off meeting (see point 6)
      Via email to the supervisor
      Content: proposal according to “IOP” information sheet Master’s Theses Department Organization (see under Legal Principles)
  8. Discussion of proposal (student, supervisor)
    • When: Following submission of proposal (see point 7)
      Place: online-meeting or supervisor’s office
      Content: feedback, discussions, revision requests, if applicable
  9. Submission of revised proposal (student), if applicable
    • When: 2 weeks following discussion of proposal (see point 8)
      Via email to supervisor
      Content: revised proposal according to discussion
  10. Approval and start of the completion period (supervisor)
    • When: period starts on the day of the first proposal meeting
      Via email to student
      Content: approval and any comments on the revised proposal
  11. Optional interim meeting (student, supervisor)
    • Date: can be chosen any time within the twenty-week completion period
      Place: online-meeting or supervisor’s office
      Content: freely selectable
  12. Submission of Master’s thesis (student)
    • When: 20 weeks after discussion of the proposal (see point 10)
      Content: One bound copy AND one PDF
      By e-mail to supervisor and submission to supervisor’s office / IOP secretariat
      Attention: die thesis is considered failed if the submission deadline is not met.
  13. Notification of grades to Dean’s office (supervisor)
    • When: no later than three months after submission of the Master’s thesis (see point 12)
  14. Optional feedback meeting (student, supervisor)
    • When: in consultation with supervisor
      Place: online-meeting or supervisor’s office

Topics