Topic Selection

Our research group offers many interesting and challenging topics. Most of them are assigned to research projects of the research staff. The topics are mostly more practical in nature, that’s why a prototype implementation is very important. (see current offers for topics)

It is also possible to make your own suggestions for an interesting topic. In this case, we will check if the topic meets our scientific standards and if there is a research staff member interested in supervising the topic. Typically, the topic should somehow fit to the contents of our research projects and/or graduate lectures.

We also frequently supervise topics in cooperation with external industry partners. Normally, a cooperation contract (gratuity for knowledge transfer; exploitation rights) between the company and TU Dresden is needed in these cases. There are also some industry partners with a permanent cooperation contract covering supervision of student theses. External topics also need to be checked for scientific value and a research staff member for supervising the thesis has to be found. We do not accept implementation-only tasks as topics for theses.

Task description, start of work

The task description is created by the supervisor (TU Dresden research staff member) and signed by Prof. Schill. Afterwards, it is forwarded to the exam office by Frau Jarschel (INF 3110).

Together with the task description, a contract regarding the exploitation rights has to be signed by the student. This contract ensures non-exclusive exploitation rights to the TU Dresden while the creatorship and own exploitation rights remain with the student. (contract in German)

The work now starts at the date mentioned in the task description.

If it turns out, that the topic does not fit, it may be returned only once within the first 2 months (Bachelor: 6 weeks) of the working period. A new topic may be handed out in this case.

The working period is based on the information in the examination regularities (Prüfungsordnung) of the different courses of studies.

6 months for Diplom or Master as well as Großer Beleg
12 weeks for Bachelor

Consultations with the supervisor

It is absolutely a must to contact the supervisor regularly (at least every 2 – 3 weeks) to keep the work in track. The supervisor is the “client” for your work and the work has to be adjusted to the needs of the supervisor within the frame set by the topic description. It is also absolutely necessary to start writing as soon as possible. Many students already had to extend the working period because they started writing too late. Ability to work in a team (in this case with the supervisor) is also part of the assessment at the end of the thesis.

Research seminar

After about half of the working period, Diplom and Master students have the possibility to present their work in the research seminar of the Computer Networks group. This is a good exercise for the defense of the thesis and one of the most important milestones within the working period. You should also regularly visit the research seminar to get an impression of other theses in the field. It is also a good opportunity to get in touch to research staff of Computer Networks if you plan to write a thesis in our research group. (see dates of research seminar)

Writing the thesis

Writing the thesis is a challenging task for most students. Again, start writing as soon as possible. Ideas, problems, design alternatives that occur in the course of the work should be part of the thesis – not only a description of the final result. It is especially important to justify your design decisions.

Do not forget the own work declaration (Selbständigkeitserklärung)!

The main part of the thesis (>60%) should describe your own work (concept, implementation, validation).

How many pages?

It is hard to say how many pages your thesis should contain. The topics have different requirements regarding the amount of related work to look at and the design alternatives to be described in the concept. Nevertheless, most students at our research group come out with:

• 50 (+/-10) pages for Bachelor
• 60 (+/-10) pages for Großer Beleg
• 80 pages for Diplom or Master.

Again, this is only a rough guideline.

Please use the following formatting guidelines:

• Font size 10 pt
• In the age of laser printers, double spaced lines are not needed any more – save our environment and print double-sided with normal line spacing.
• Use style sheets for headings and text!
• Reserve margins of about 4 cm at the inner side and 3 cm at the outer side.

Your own concepts should also be validated in the course of the work. We emphasize the value of suitability for daily use. This can be proven by implementing and demonstrating prototypes. A running prototype is an important prerequisite for the successful termination of the work. You have to hand out the sources and a documentation to your supervisor. In the case of external works, it is sufficient to show a running prototype and a glimpse of the source code to the supervisor.

Extension of working period

If you need some extra time, it is possible to apply for an extension only once. An extension for the maximum of 3 months is possible for Diplom, Master and Großer Beleg. A maximum extension of 6 weeks is possible for Bachelor. You have to hand in a form with justification of the extension to Frau Jarschel (INF 3110). The application is then signed by the supervisor and Prof. Schill and handed over to the examination office (Prüfungsamt). (see form)

Delivery of the thesis

The thesis has to be handed in at the last day of your working period. Diplom, Master and Bachelor at the examination office, Großer Beleg at our secretariat (Frau Jarschel) in room INF 3110. In each case, 2 hardback copies and a pdf version on CD are needed. You also have to upload the thesis as a pdf file and the sources at the SVN repository.

The assessment of the thesis consists of 4 independent parts, each contributing 1/4th to the final mark. These are overall impression, state-of-the-art analysis, concept, as well as implementation and validation.

Defense

The defense normally takes place 2 to 4 weeks after handing in the thesis (this does not count into the work period of the thesis). The student should present the results of his work in a presentation of 20 – 30 minutes with subsequent discussion.

The overall mark is calculated like this: overall mark = (3*mark of thesis + 1* mark of defense) / 4

Slides in the corporate design of TU Dresden are to be found under the following link: TUD slides