https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2025-2026/XM_405083The Master Project is the culmination of the Information Sciences Master's programme. During the project, students will:Develop a deep understanding of the specific aspects that are at the core of the thesis topic (Knowledge & understanding)Develop scientific and professional skills (Lifelong learning skills)Demonstrate the ability to incorporate an element of originality or creativity into their research, for example, in performing a design task or in contributing to the solution or the analysis of a scientific problem; (Apply knowledge and understanding) (Make judgements)Be able to interact with other academics or professionals from industry (and possibly with other students); (Lifelong learning skills) (Communication)Develop the ability to plan a project (Apply knowledge and understanding) (Make judgements)Develop the ability to document and present the final results. (Apply knowledge and understanding) (Communication)Judge and engage in critical discussion about the digital transformation and sustainability in society and business dimensions, threats, and opportunities (Applying knowledge and understanding)(Making judgments).Reflect on the knowledge and competence acquired during the Master’s program (Learning skills).The Master Project IS concludes the Master IS programme. In the Information Science programme, the master's thesis course has the following two main parts: A. Master Thesis: The master's thesis can be carried out:As an internal graduation project under the supervision of one of the research groups of the Department of Computer Science. A master's thesis can be done as a DUO thesis or individually. in case of DUO thesis, the individual contribution must be clearly identified.As an internship thesis within a professional organisation. A formal agreement (UNL) is signed by all parties between VU and the respective organisation to conduct the internship thesis. For additional information and rules, we refer to the website of the Faculty of Science. There, you will also be able to find links to the web pages of the research groups of the Department of Computer Science, with options for master's projects. B. (DTS) portfolio: This course also includes the Digital Transition and Sustainability (DTS) portfolio that the students keep throughout the entire Master programme. In this portfolio they reflect on the education followed in relation to the principles and practice of the Master Information Sciences. To create the portfolio, the students are given a set of guidelines and reflective questions. These are used each teaching period to reflect on the courses they have just attended and to identify and analyze challenges and solutions related to the topics of digital transition and digital sustainability. The portfolio and the peer groups are in line with constructivist principles whereby students themselves—but together—construct the knowledge and coherence around their package.Master Thesis: For the master's project, the students need to find a project with a VU staff member as their supervisor by the end of period 2. The department shares a list of available projects and supervisors via Canvas each year before the start of the Master thesis. The students select a supervisor and thesis topic either from the shared list or they may come up with their own idea. The project idea is discussed and agreed upon between students and supervisor before the formal start of the thesis. Students will then work on their projects individually and interact with their supervisor in regular meetings (individually or in groups), as agreed with the supervisor. There are no lectures for the Master IS course, but joint meetings may happen when necessary and are announced via Canvas. DTS Portfolio: For the portfolio, the students will follow an introductory lecture in the first teaching period. The portfolio will be incrementally built by the individual work of each student which is broken down into six assignments, one for each teaching period. At the end of each teaching period (six times in total), students form peer groups to meet (on-site or online) and discuss progress. The last meeting will be a poster event where students have the chance to present their portfolio to their peers and staff members. The progress of the portfolio will be monitored by a mentor.The final grade of this course corresponds to the grade of the Master thesis. It will be based on the quality of the performed research, the written thesis, the oral presentation, and the student's attitude. These are the weights of the different components:Attitude (1/6)Research (2/6)Thesis (2/6)Presentation (1/6)The final portfolio is submitted together with the thesis. It is evaluated with a pass/no-pass based on the poster presentation (20%) and the assessment of the submitted portfolio (80%). If the student receives a no-pass for the portfolio, she or he can resubmit the portfolio within a 2-month period for a final assessment. The minimum passing grade for each component is 5.5.Master Information Science Students.You will find useful documentation on all aspects of internships and the Master Project at the website of the Internship Office. This office can also give you advise about internships. It also makes sense to check out the web profiles of potential supervisors, e.g. to gather ideas on projects.It is advised to join the Master IS Canvas page because the announcements about Portfolio sessions, deadlines, thesis opportunities, and upcoming events for thesis students are made on Canvas. All the deadlines are mentioned for corresponding activities on Canvas.