Research Project

The Research Project is split into Part 1 and Part 2, of which you can choose a shorter or longer version, respectively 2A and 2B:

• Master Research Chemistry Part 1, Introduction to the research project including Go-No Go meeting (15 EC)
• Master Research Chemistry Part 2A, Research and thesis project (22.5 EC) or Master Research Chemistry Part 2B, Research and thesis project (37.5 EC)

Completing Part 1 is a mandatory prerequisite to continuing with Part 2. Both parts are supervised by the same staff members. It is not possible to change from part 2A to part 2B or vice versa after starting the Research Project except with the approval of the programme's coordinator and director.

You can start you research project already during the first period. You will discuss the start date of your research project with your supervisor/examiner and daily supervisor, this depends on your course schedule and your supervisors’ schedules. Your start date can be any date that is convenient for all three of you and doesn’t necessarily have to be at the start of a new period.

The length of the Research Project corresponds to 0.7 x the number of credits, which results in the number of full-time weeks.

Holidays, courses or other activities that lead to time off or part-time work on your Research Project will result in a longer Research Project, respectively. Keep this in mind when planning your studies and the Research Project deadline. Please see below what to do when your Research Project is delayed and you have to apply for a Research Project deadline extension.

If your project takes place outside UU, for example at a company, an internship contract is required.

Arrange the internship contract before submitting your application form in Osiris.

The internship contract has to be checked and signed by the Research Project Coordinators, Rebecca Puyk and Noor Weelink, on behalf of the UU via science.internshipcontracts@uu.nl. Once your internship contract has been checked and signed by the UU, you can upload it with your application form in Osiris (for more information on that, go to the page 'Getting Started').

The contract options are as follows:

• The Universities of the Netherlands (UNL) internship contract is preferred for an external project inside the Netherlands.
• The EAIE contract is preferred for an external project outside of the Netherlands.
• The host organisation may have their own internship contract, provided that it meets the requirements of Utrecht University.
• If you are a non-EU student, then you should use the NUFFIC agreement.

There can only be one internship contract, so please discuss this with the host organisation carefully. We advise students to first discuss their internship (contract) with their supervisor before signing.

Penalty clause (a fine)

The Faculty and Utrecht University strongly discourage signing an internship contract provided by an external organisation which contains a penalty clause (a fine).

Please be aware: We will not co-sign any internship contract which contains a penalty clause (fine).

Going abroad? You need to take these extra steps:

• If your project is outside of the Netherlands, you also have to do a Stay Abroad request in Osiris after receiving approval by the Board of Examiners. Information about this can be found on the webpage Stay Abroad.
• Please read the whole page carefully. If you have questions please contact the International Office. Be aware that arranging a project abroad takes time.
• You might find this checklist useful during the organisation of your traineeship abroad.
• It is important to check the travel advice for your destination given by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Please type in your destination on the website (in Dutch). If your country has orange or red areas your Stay Abroad request cannot be validated.

This is what you need to do if you foresee a delay of your Research Project or extension/addition to the project is necessary.

The protocol*

1. The student and examiners need to finish the Research Project before the in Osiris Zaak specified end date. The end date is the last date by which the final grade is determined. The end date is based on full-time study.
2. If the end date cannot be met, the student, first and second examiner agree on a new end date. This new end date will be passed on to the Board of Examiners by the student via Osiris Student > ‘My Cases’> ‘Start Case’  > ‘Request to the Board of Examiners’ > ‘request type 7 'Delay of research or thesis project'. This needs to happen before the initial end date is reached. Valid reasons for agreeing on a new end date can be both personal circumstances and research-related circumstances.
3. The student and examiners can impose an examination on the agreed end date. In the case the other party does not agree with this, they can turn to the programme leader. A student who due to circumstances beyond their control cannot be present during examination can request the Board of Examiners for a special testing provision.

The student and/or examiners can turn to the Board of Examiners in cases of disagreement on the implementation of this protocol or other conflicts not covered by this protocol. In these cases, the Board of Examiners decides in line with the spirit of this protocol.

*This protocol is translated from the Dutch version in the EER/OER and no rights can be derived from any errors in translation.