Cooperations

In many degree programs, students carry out project work as part of their academic training. This means that lecturers set individual students or groups of students a task to complete within a certain period of time (usually one semester). In most cases, such project work ends with a short written assignment and/or a final presentation.

Strictly speaking, such work is studies or examinations, so no usable result can be guaranteed. When project work deals with real problems in working life, this is usually associated with a high level of motivation on the part of those involved.

Suitable questions are those that are clearly defined and can be answered unambiguously. This ranges from the collection of empirical data to the evaluation of relevant scientific literature. Such questions could be, for example

• How has the composition of employees in industry xy developed over the last 10 years?
• How has the mobility behavior of employees in region xy developed over the last 10 years?
• What forecasts can be derived from the scientific literature regarding the development in industry xy?
• How have incomes in sector xy in the Rhine-Main region developed in comparison to the rest of Germany in period z?

As a rule, such work is limited to one semester and students have additional courses. On average, students have around 16 weeks per semester to complete their work, including preparation and follow-up work.

Theses are usually tied to the teaching periods (October to February and March to July). Due to the necessary preparations, the appointments with the supervising professors must be completed by the middle of the previous teaching period at the latest.

The suggestion for the topic should come from the company. There must be a willingness to clarify the topic with the supervisor so that it "works" as an examination for a final thesis. In addition, it may be necessary to provide the opportunity for consultation and possibly access to the company and/or employees while working on the topic.

Such project work is not contract research where a specific result is paid for and therefore owed. The assumption of costs is therefore optional. As a rule, reimbursement of travel expenses would be ideal.

Students must write a thesis at the end of their studies. This is an examination in which proof must be provided that students have acquired the ability to work independently and scientifically during their studies. Therefore, a theoretical part must also be included.

In some degree programs, a final presentation is given in addition to the written thesis. These are also studies or examinations, so no usable result can be guaranteed.

In principle, similar questions are suitable as for student project work.

Bachelor's theses take about half a semester to complete, while Master's theses usually take a whole semester. Theses are almost exclusively written by one person, which must be taken into account when considering the scope of the work to be done.

Theses are usually tied to the teaching periods (October to February and March to July). Due to the necessary preparations, the appointments with the supervising professors must be completed by the middle of the previous teaching period at the latest.

The suggestion for the topic should come from the company. There must be a willingness to clarify the topic with the supervisor so that it "works" as an examination for a final thesis. In addition, it may be necessary to provide the opportunity for consultation and possibly access to the company and/or employees while working on the topic.

Such project work is not contract research where a specific result is paid for and therefore owed. The assumption of costs is therefore optional. As a rule, reimbursement of travel expenses would be ideal.