The second year is devoted to individual research work and is not necessarily spent in Leuven. Most of the second-year students work at home; others go abroad. The possibility of combining professional activity with thesis work also exists. Once a year there is a chance to meet each other during the intermediate presentations (research seminars).
The main elements of the second year are:
- Master's Thesis
The Master's Thesis is based on an original and individual reserach work carried out under the guidance of one of the professors associated with the Centre (staff or guest). Depending on the subject selected for this paper, other specialists may also be involved. Students are required to present their work to the staff at least once while it is in progress. Tutoring sessions with the professors who direct the work are of course more frequent. The final paper is submitted ot a jury consisting of the advisors and at least two assessors, chosen by the Centre's Educational Commission in accordance with the subject. Each candidate has to present his or her work during a session open to staff, students and interested members of the public. The presentation is followed by discussion with the jury, which offers a last opportunity for critical feedback.
The choice of subject is, of necessity, an individual one: every aspect of conservation is relevant. Research should be carried out at a sufficiently high level of specialisation. Students are expected to call upon the knowledge acquired during the course and project work, but also upon their initial training. The paper can take the form of a mainly theoretical study or project with practical application, technical research or archaeological and historical analysis, always within the framework of conservation. - Research Seminar and activities in the field of conservation
The Research Seminar offers the most immediate form of interaction between staff and students: it encompasses the student's intermediate presentation of their thesis work. This series of seminars before a public made up of staff, other students and often non-Centre promoters and assessors is usually scheduled in a concentrated series of sessions at the mid-year. It is meant to guide the student (orientation, methodology and scope) beyond the private interaction with the promotor. Secondly, a rapid survey of the master student's activities in the past indicates that most of them complete this guidance by other means, presented here as 'Activities in the Field of Conservation': intensive courses, specialised conferences, etc, in accordance with the specific needs of their subjects. - Paper on selected conservation topics
The first year comprises a one-week study trip, scheduled after Easter. During this intensive seminar students and staff pass one week on site in various conservation topics. The paper would take one of the themes discussed during the study trip as its basis, to be developed into a full research paper. - Professional internship
A survey of the Master student's activities during the second year shows most of them working already to acquire learning experience in the field. A full report will enforce students to reflect upon this contact with the professional world. This apprenticeship can take place in an architect's or engineer's office with a practice in conservation, or in the various administrations responsible for Heritage.
You can find an overview of the courses on onderwijsaanbod.kuleuven.be
