Understanding the BTR program and what it means for MSP students
BTR Overview
The Bachelor Thesis Research (BTR) is a one-semester-long piece of research that bachelor students in the Maastricht Science Programme (MSP) carry out at the end of their studies as the final part of their scientific training.
30
ECTS Credits
1
Semester Long
180
Total Credits for Degree
145
Min. ECTS to Start
Key Characteristics
Complete scientific cycle: Starting with a problem, formulating a scientific question and hypotheses, experimentation, and reporting
Student responsibility: It is the student's responsibility to organize their BTR
Specialization: Students specialize in a scientific area of their choosing
Flexible location: Students may study with MSP staff, at other Maastricht University locations, or at another institution within or outside the Netherlands
Start Times
BTR projects typically begin at the start of semesters:
September Cohort: Starts September, ends January
February Cohort: Starts February, ends June
Alternative Start Dates
Under special circumstances and with permission from the BTR Coordinator, alternative start dates may be considered, with students receiving a personalized timetable.
Aims of the Bachelor Thesis Research
The BTR is designed to achieve the following objectives:
To give students an opportunity to individually perform high-level academic research
To gather independent research skills while working in a research team
To gain insight into the process of scientific research
To understand how to write a research proposal
To write and defend a research thesis
To communicate scientific issues to non-scientists
To further specialize in one or more areas of the natural sciences
To prepare for admission to (research) masters in the natural sciences
Independence is Key
A particular premium is placed on the independence of the research carried out:
Thesis subjects are selected by a student in close collaboration with the research supervisor
Topics are quite likely a part of a wider programme of the supervisor's ongoing research
Notwithstanding this, a student should formulate their own research plan, carry out research as an independent member of a group, and interpret the results themselves in the context of the relevant scientific literature
Student Eligibility & Requirements
Academic Requirements
Students need at least 145 ECTS credits (of the 150 non-BTR credits) to start their Bachelor Thesis Research.
Courses Under Grading
A maximum of 12.5 ECTS worth of courses AND a Project Period may be under grading when starting the BTR.
Where BTRs Can Take Place
Students have flexibility in choosing their research location:
1. Within Maastricht University
MSP staff research groups
Other UM faculties and locations
UM-affiliated research institutes
2. Other Netherlands Institutions
Other Dutch universities
Research institutes
Other educational and research facilities
3. International Institutions
Universities abroad
International research centers
External institutions worldwide
Important for External BTRs
For all students doing theses outside of Maastricht University:
Internship agreement required: Must be signed between Maastricht University, the host institution, and the student
Cannot start until signed: The student cannot start the BTR until this document is fully agreed and signed
Submit early: Documents should be submitted at the earliest available opportunity to allow time for legal review
Documents submitted less than 1 month before BTR start are considered too close and may cause a delay in being allowed to start
NDAs also require review: Non-Disclosure Agreements must be legally checked before signing
Qualifications: Research supervisors should have a number of years of research experience and are generally expected to have a PhD
Primary role: Provide support, feedback, and assessment for the student
Support includes: Introduction to research area, experimental design guidance, use of equipment/approaches, good working practices, and results analysis
Regular contact essential: Maintain regular contact for monitoring student progress
Day-to-day supervision: PhD students in groups may act as day-to-day supervisors, but should not be official supervisors with final responsibility for the BTR
2. Internal Advisor
Who they are: Usually a member of MSP or allied staff
Appointed by: BTR Coordinator before submission of the proposal
Role: Verify that the scientific level of proposed experiments, actual research, and final outcomes are of sufficient academic quality
Likely familiar with student: Will likely be a member of staff familiar with the student and their academic background, such as an academic advisor
NOT necessarily an expert: Not necessarily experts in the research area of the thesis
Does NOT contribute to development: Do not generally contribute to development of the thesis except in general terms
Grading: Grade the proposal and final thesis; also discuss BTR progress with student at certain key points by request
3. BTR Coordinator (Dr. Panos Christakoglou)
Oversees the overall quality of the Bachelor Thesis Research program
Handles special circumstances (deadline extensions, personal circumstances problems, disputes)
Makes final decisions on the advice of research supervisor and internal advisor
Officially awards final BTR grades
4. BTR Administrator (Martijn Jeurissen)
Manages day-to-day administration
Oversees collection and distribution of grades
Typically the first point of contact for a range of issues
Important Note on Contact
In most cases, the responsibility for contacting the BTR Office in cases of special circumstances or requirements lies with the student, not the supervisor. If necessary, the coordinator will discuss any issues with the supervisor after the student's initial contact with BTR administration.
Additional Modules During BTR
Students may take one additional module (maximum 5 ECTS) during their BTR if working in or near Maastricht.
Requirements
Requires approval from both the Research Supervisor and the MSP Board of Examiners
Research Supervisors are NOT obligated to support additional module requests and must be consulted before the BTR begins
Students should discuss how they will manage the extra workload with their supervisor
If the supervisor does not approve, or if requested after the BTR starts, the additional module must be completed after the BTR ends
You Are NOT Obligated to Approve
It is at your discretion whether to grant support for additional modules. There is no obligation to do so, especially if it is requested after the thesis has begun.
