Bachelor's and Master's Theses
Thesis Process
The thesis process is generally divided into the following phases:
- Initial Meeting
- Topic clarification, preferred supervisor, requirements for the exposé
- Preparation and Submission of the Exposé
- Please observe the submission periods listed below
- Coordination and Finalization of the Exposé
- Acceptance or Rejection of Supervision
- Registration of the Thesis with the Central Examination Office in Coordination with Our Chair
- Send your thesis application via email to Ms. Westermann
- Writing the Thesis (Template for the thesis: [WORD] | [PDF])
- Submission of the Thesis
- The final thesis must be submitted to the Examination Office.
- Preferably print your thesis double-sided on recycled paper.
- Binding type of your choice.
- Thesis Evaluation
- Evaluation criteria include: research question, content/theory, methodology, results, formal aspects & structure.
- Gender and diversity must be explicitly addressed – a general disclaimer such as "for better readability..." is not sufficient to counter unconscious bias!
- Thesis Defense
- Depending on your study and examination regulations
- Grade Notification
Finding a Topic for Bachelor's and Master's Theses
The topics for Bachelor's and Master's theses are based on the courses offered and the research focus of the chair. Below you will find specific and collaborative topics suggested by the chair that you may work on.
We also warmly welcome your own ideas and topics for Bachelor's or Master's theses. Collaborative theses are encouraged as well. Please get in touch with a staff member of the chair to discuss your ideas!
Specific Topics Offered by the Chair
- Waste & E-Waste (literature reviews, political/legal context, barriers, current trends, etc.)
- Analysis of integrative management tools
- Calculation of climate impact / climate neutrality of selected factors (at the university and in companies)
- CO2e calculation of TU Chemnitz consumption data
- Integration of TEEB (The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity) into management decisions
- Climate risk analysis for TU Chemnitz
- Concepts for actual measurement of socio-ecological consumption (import-export)
- Circularity of specific automobile components (passenger cars)
- Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of various materials, products, processes, etc., including comparisons in the automotive sector
- Nudging (behavior change strategies) at TU Chemnitz
- Potential analysis of cooperative models in the textile industry in Saxony
- Pricing strategies for automotive innovations
- Implementation of circular economy principles in the automotive sector
- Credence goods across different industries
- Materiality analysis for TU Chemnitz
Exposé
The research question for your thesis is always defined in close and individual coordination with your supervisor. To prepare for this, you are required to create an exposé based on the guidelines below. Please also take note of the possible submission dates for the exposé via email and the subsequent thesis registration.
- Submitting an exposé is mandatory.
- Writing the exposé helps you structure and specify your thesis project. It also supports us in providing effective supervision.
- The exposé serves as a guide for presenting the core idea, content outline, and milestones of your thesis.
- It should be 2 to 4 pages in length and written in full sentences.
- Please follow the guidelines for academic writing provided by the Chair of Business Administration – Environmental Management and Sustainability (e.g., citation, formatting, etc.).
Structure of an Exposés
The following structure serves as a guideline to help you organize the content of your exposé:
- Cover Page: Name, student ID number, TUC email address, study program, first and second supervisors
- Preliminary Title of the Thesis
- Problem Statement or Solution Approach
- Motivation for choosing the topic: Why is it relevant?
- What is the problem area or the intended solution approach?
- Derivation of the research gap based on academic sources
- Objective and Research Question(s)
- What is the goal of your thesis? What is not? How does it differ from similar work?
- What is the starting point of your research question?
- Which question(s) should be answered?
- Thematic Link to Sustainability
- Method and Approach
- Rough Outline
- Relevant Academic Literature for Your Thesis
- Bibliography of the Exposé
- Tabular Timeline
- Key milestones (e.g., registration, literature review, data collection, data processing and analysis, finalization and formatting, proofreading, submission)
- Your Questions / Open Issues
Submission of the Exposé
We kindly ask you to submit your exposé as both a *.docx and *.pdf file via email during one of the following periods of your choice
- January 1–15 → Thesis registration by February 28/29 of the same calendar year
- March 1–15 → Thesis registration by April 30 of the same calendar year
- June 1–15 → Thesis registration by July 31 of the same calendar year
- October 1–15 → Thesis registration by November 30 of the same calendar year
Exposés submitted for the first time outside of these periods will not be reviewed.
Principles of Academic Writing
Adhering to the principles of academic writing is a fundamental requirement for preparing your thesis.
Please refer to the guidelines provided by our Chair.
In addition, we recommend the following literature (and other relevant sources):
- Bryman, Alan. Social Research Methods, Oxford, latest edition
We also invite you to attend our workshops and resources on academic writing.
