Bachelor and Master theses

 

Are you interested in writing your bachelor’s or master’s thesis (or your project assignment) under our supervision? Please find all the important information in our StudOn group. There, you will find the list of advertised topics and also a forum for your questions: https://www.studon.fau.de/crs3057469.html

The application deadline for writing your thesis in the winter semester 2024/25 is closing on July 12th, 2024.

 

You choose your topic and research question by yourself or go for a topic where we are currently looking for candidates in specific research projects. Here you’ll find a list of defined topics on StudOn. We welcome your own topic ideas in the same way.

Thesis based on your own research ideas in the following areas are encouraged:

  • Sustainability Management
  • Strategic sustainability and sustainability strategies
  • Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Business Ethics
  • Stakeholder Management
  • Social role of a company
  • Sustainable and Social Entrepreneurship
  • Social, Eco- or Sustainability-oriented innovation
  • Further sustainability related topics

 

Types of graduation theses

In general, we do supervise conceptual as well as empirical bachelor’s and master’s theses.

A cooperation with a company or an organisation is possible. Please do keep in mind that all theses must answer a research question. Thereby it is important that you can show us that your thesis would be interesting not only for your supervisor.

Process

Dates:

You can submit your application regularly by January 20th (for the summer semester) and July 4th (for the winter semester). Students in turn receive our (positive or negative) decision within two weeks and have another week to confirm their interest. In the week before the new semester begins, an initial meeting is held to discuss the thesis project.

Application documents

Please note that applications are now submitted through the following StudOn group: https://www.studon.fau.de/crs3057469.html Use the „Bewerbungen für die Betreuung im Wintersemester 20XX“ to submit a recent transcript of records and a short application containing the following:

  • Description and relevance of the topic (50-100 words)
  • A suggestion of the research question
  • Your methodological approach (literature-based, qualitative empirical, quantitative empirical, …). For empirical work, please provide more detailed information on which method should be used (interviews, surveys, …).
  • Outline/structure of the thesis (max. 2 structure levels)
  • If you are already planning on working with an organization (business/NGO/social enterprise), please fully describe it.
  • Optional, but highly recommended: In one paragraph, explain in the simplest of terms what you want to do (imagine you are explaining this to an 8-year-old).

Assessment criteria

  • In principle, preference is given to students who are studying sustainability management (Bachelor) or who have attended several courses at the chair. In any case, at least one of the lectures must have been attended.
  • Students that develop coherent, well thought and interesting topics in their motivation letter will have preference.
  • Sustainability reference of the thesis: Work that has no recognizable reference to sustainability topics (see list above) will not be considered.
  • Supervision of the thesis: Unfortunately, theses that go too much into natural science or engineering cannot be supervised at the chair.
  • Management or company relation: Work that has no relation to management issues or company-related aspects cannot be supervised either. Management issues can also include management of NGOs, joint ventures between companies and NGOs, etc.
  • For some topics, the supervision process and writing of the thesis is only possible in English. For other topics (and depending on the supervisor assignment), the thesis can be written in German or in English. To help us find a match for your application, please indicate therefore in the application form whether you are flexible to write your thesis in English and/or German.

Further Information: In the context of writing your thesis you are required to attend our weekly seminar on writing a thesis. The seminar usually takes place Wednesdays, 16.45 pm to 18.15 pm.

Contact

For further information please use the StudOn course

Contact Dr. Francisco Layrisse.