Dissertation

Code:

M.EMAT020

Acronym:

D

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Science and Technology of Materials

Instance: 2025/2026 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Metallurgy, Materials and Technological Processes Section
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Materials Engineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
M.EMAT	24	Syllabus	2	-	30	6,5	810

Teaching language

Portuguese and english

Objectives

The aim of this curricular unit is to evaluate the ability of the students to develop a dissertation in a topic of their specialization. The dissertation can be performed in a corporate or academic and corporate environment in accordance to the regulation “Dissertações de Mestrado-Normas para o funcionamento”.

Learning outcomes and competences

This is the last course of the M.EMAT programme in which students are evaluated on the ability to use their in-depth knowledge, integrate knowledge from different disciplines and the ability to design solutions for engineering problems. In this curricular unit, students:
- develop their ability to plan, carry out, present and defend their individual work;
- deepen specific knowledge within their specialisation;
- assimilate processes, practices and methodologies associated with scientific research and/or applied in a business context;
- become aware of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and assess the impact of their work on the SDGs.
- Develop critical thinking skills;
- Develop written, multimedia and oral communication and time management skills.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Depending on the theme, students apply the knowledge acquired during the master´s programme.

Program

This curricular unit does not have a specific syllabus. Students undertake a dissertation work in their area of specialization, under the supervision of a professor, although there might also exist a supervisor from another participating institution, national or abroad.
During the first or second semester, students attend a training course entitled "How to Write a Master's Thesis in Engineering". This course is taught by specialists in information sources from the FEUP library.

Mandatory literature

_; _ (Each topic has its own bibliography.)

Comments from the literature

The bibliography is specific of each student's dissertation topic.

Teaching methods and learning activities

The dissertation work is an individual work, conducted in academic environment or academic and corporate environment and that is focused on research, development and innovation activities, with a duration of 20 weeks. The dissertation topics are proposed and presented by the advisers in a meeting promoted by the Director of M.EMAT and and before the beginning of the semester. The students then choose one topic from the whole list of topics available. The dissertation report is written according to laid down rules, assuring the protection of the privacy and confidentiality of the host company/institution´s data. The assessment of the dissertation is done by a jury, nominated by the Scientific Commission of the M.EMAT according to specific regulation. Grading will be based on the technical and scientific quality of the work, quality of the written document and quality of presentation and discussion, according to the regulation “Dissertações de Mestrado-Normas para o funcionamento”.

keywords

Technological sciences > Engineering > Mechanical engineering > Metalurgia Metallurgy
Technological sciences > Engineering > Materials engineering
Technological sciences > Technology
Technological sciences > Engineering
Technological sciences
Technological sciences > Technology > Materials technology

Evaluation Type

Evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Defesa pública de dissertação, de relatório de projeto ou estágio, ou de tese	100,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de relatório/dissertação/tese	154,00
Estudo autónomo	200,00
Frequência das aulas	56,00
Trabalho de investigação	200,00
Trabalho laboratorial	200,00
Total:	810,00

Eligibility for exams

The dissertation is an individual work, on an exclusive basis, lasting 20 weeks. The student must carry out the proposed dissertation work plan and, at the end, submit the preliminary version of the dissertation for assessment.

Calculation formula of final grade

The 0-20 scale is used for the final grade attributed by the jury panel according to the regulation “Dissertações de Mestrado-Normas para o funcionamento”.

Examinations or Special Assignments

Not applicable.

Internship work/project

Not applicable.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Not applicable.

Classification improvement

It is not possible to improve the final grade of this course.

Observations

• The Dissertation work can take place in a national or foreign institution.


• The dissertations that take place in a business environment are subject to an agreement between the company and FEUP (see agreement form for Dissertations in a business environment).


• The dissertation is written in Portuguese or English, according to the instructions given in the document "Dissertation - Instructions", available in the UC contents.


•  The preliminary digital version of the dissertation must be submitted in the "Dissertations" module of Sigarra, on a date set by the EC Director, and publicly defended during the examination season, on a date also set by the EC Director.


•  The public session is organised so that the student has 10 minutes for presentation and 35 minutes for discussion.


• After the defence, the final digital version of the dissertation, validated by the supervisor, and the dissertation submission form must be submitted to the EC secretariat by the last working day of July.