OpinnäyteohjausThesis supervisionHandledning av examensarbete Mikko Suominen 2021-2023

Before you start working with the thesis, organize a kick-off meeting with the supervisor and advisor. This meeting can be the same where you discuss about the thesis topic (see Step 1.3).

In the meeting, discuss at least about the following things

• Goals for the thesis
• What are your personnal aims for the thesis (acquire a job from "the thesis company", grade etc.)
• If possible, describe what you would like to do after the thesis
• The clearer goals for the thesis and time after the thesis you have you, the better the supervisor can guide the thesis towards that direction
• Schedule
• The duration of the thesis is 6 months in Aalto
• Agree a rough schedule with deadlines with the supervisor and advisor (Note that deadlines should not change!)
  
• Agree about the practicalities
• How often you shall meet the superviser and advisor?
• Where or how you will meet?
  
• Who summons the meeting?
  

This is the main part of the thesis work that should last 6 months in Aalto University. Before you start the actual work it is good to:

• Familiarize yourself with evaluation criteria
• It is good to have a brief look to the existing master's thesis to have examples
• Attend to the master's thesis seminar organized by your programme or Learning center
• This is volunteer and the seminars may be organized in times not suited for your thesis schedule
  

Start writing the thesis:

• Familiarize yourself with the topic literatur
• Literature sources may help you to get started in ships in ice related topics
• Write and return research plan
• Length is approximately 4 pages
• Should contain:
•  A brief overlook to the state of the art
• Research Questions
• Plan for the work to be conducted
• Structure of the thesis in topic level
• Ask comments from the supervisor and adviser on this and, preferably, organize a meeting
  
• Write your thesis
• It is good to start using the official templates from the beginning
• Check also thesis style guide and template for abstract
  
• Ask comments at different stages as agreed in the beginning of the process
  
• E.g. 1st draft after 1-2 chapters are ready, 2nd draft aftermajor parts are ready, 3rd draft when full version is ready
• Note! If you get stuck in the process and do not know how to get forward, contact your supervisor and/or advisor to discuss about the difficulties
• There are few options offered by Aalto that may help you in writing process
• Course on Thesis writing (not mandatory, but highly recommended)
• Writing clinic (individual tutoring)
• Grammarly (AI povered writing assistance)
  
• Submit your thesis to supervisor for evaluation

• Must be completed before you can fill an application for the approval of the thesis, and it must be approved before the degree programme committee meeting where your thesis is to be approved.
• Guidelines for the presentation can be found from here