Regarding Master-Thesis at the Institute for Economic Policy
If you plan to write a master thesis at the Institute for Economic Policy please note (details: see rules.html ):
1. Provide a note to the secretary, that you may plan to write a master thesis at this institute. Provide a printout of your grades from the "Prüfungsamt". "Quantitative Macro and Numerical Methods I, II" is required or (NEW!) - alternatively, since fall 2005 - "Introduction to Advanced Macroeconomic Analysis" followed by "Quantitative Macroeconomics and Numerical Methods" taught in the summer semester. If you have not attended these classes, provide an explanation. You will be assigned a supervisor.
2. Next, speak to your assigned supervisor during his or her office hour to discuss possible topics for your master thesis. Between this conversation and the official assignment of the topic via the "Prüfungsamt"-form, no more than 30 days should elapse. Otherwise, there will be no future possibility to write a master thesis at this Institute.
3. For official registration, see your assigned supervisor and bring the official "Prüfungsamt"-Form with you.
4. The master thesis should have between 60 and 80 pages, including all graphics, tables, etc.. The master thesis should be answering some economic question. This provides the "red thread" running through the thesis.
5. The master thesis should have the following structure.
i) "Executive Summary" or "Abstract", up to one page.
ii) "Introduction": 1 to 4 pages.
iii) "Literature".
iv) "Facts" or "Theory". If your thesis proceeds mainly
on the basis of theoretical models, you should provide the key facts
here. If your thesis proceeds mainly empirically, you should provide
the (microeconomic or macroeconomic) theoretical basis for your
emprical approach.
v) "The Model". Here, introduce, precisely define and explain
your model.
vi) "Model analysis".
vii) "Model Results and Answer". Answer your question.
viii) "Variations". Possibly further models or
variations.
ix) "Discussion" . Are you convinced by your own answer? What
else could be tried?
x) "Summary and concluding remarks".
xi) "References".
xii) "Appendix".
6. Please be very precise with the sources used. In case of plagiarism, you will receive the worst possible grade, and further consequences may be drawn. Do not bring yourself and us into this unpleasant situation!
7. Handing in your master thesis: at the Prüfungsamt. Additionally, we ask that you provide the institute with a CD-ROM, containing your master thesis as a source file as well as a .pdf-file, plus all data and programmes used. Please provide information on what you will do after receiving your masters and how you can be contacted in the future by e-mail. Unless requested otherwise, we will post your thesis as .pdf file and contact address on the net, see http://www.wiwi.hu-berlin.de/wpol/html/diplom.html.