Rubric for Bachelor's Theses (TFG)

This page summarizes the assessment procedure for Bachelor's Theses. The complete document with the regulations can be found following this link.

The rubric

The Bachelor's Thesis will be assessed according to 4 dimensions, divided into sub-dimensions, each of which will receive an independent rating.

The 4 major dimensions subject to assessment, and their respective sub-dimensions are:

Considers:

  1. Overall impression of the work from the viewpoint of the supervisor(s). The student has demonstrated the ability to work autonomously in completing the tasks associated with the project. The student has shown the ability to make decisions or propose reasoned alternatives to unexpected difficulties/problems. The student has shown initiative to go beyond the specific tasks set out and propose new lines of research to enhance the relevance of the study and the potential impact of the results.

Considers:

  1. Format and structure. The report adheres to the format established in the template regarding font type and size, alignment and spacing, margins, indexing, bibliographic style, etc. The report contains, in the appropriate order, although not necessarily grouped or distributed under the same titles, the following items: abstract, index, introduction and objectives, methodology, results, discussion, conclusions, bibliography, and, if applicable, appendix(es). The contents are distributed approximately equally (in terms of relative relevance) between literature review (state of the art: introduction and methodology), own work (results and possibly part of the methodology), and exploitation of own work (discussion and conclusions). The report is transparent regarding the authorship of the contents and clarifies at all times what corresponds to the results of others and what is the student's own contribution. The report also includes a chapter/section on "sustainability and social commitment" in which the economic, social, and environmental impact of the project is specifically addressed.

  2. Writing and linguistic correctness. The text is clear, concise and linear, and the writing is understandable and consistent throughout the report. There are no orthographic, morphosyntactic or typographical errors. The language register used corresponds to that of a technical or academic document. The vocabulary and nomenclature specific to the scientific/technical field in which the work is framed are duly used.

  3. Relevance of the contents. All contributions are appropriately contextualized. Each result or discussion of a result is supported by elements of theory or literature properly introduced. The contents are appropriate for the purposes of the work. No space is dedicated in the main text to inessential subjects that do not add value or support any relevant aspect of the results, discussion, or conclusions. There are no unrelated and/or superfluous sections/paragraphs/sentences. There are no absurd, insufficiently grounded, or contradictory statements. The appendices, if present, are self-contained, properly presented and justified, and add value to the work.

  4. Figures, tables, equations, acronyms, and symbols. The figures are legible, self-contained, and self-explanatory. In the case of graphs, the choice of type (lines, symbols, bars, etc.) is adapted to the data to be represented. The following elements are present, clearly visible, and easily interpretable: title, labeled axes, annotations, lines/bars/symbols, caption, etc. The tables are well-structured, present the information in an orderly manner, and include the following elements: title, labels for all columns and rows, caption, etc. All figures and tables are referenced in the text and properly explained/commented on. The caption contains all the necessary details to interpret the figure/table. The sources of all elements of the figure/table that are taken from elsewher are duly cited (if applicable). All equations are properly numbered and referenced/explained in the text. There are no redundant or unnecessary equations. All symbols and acronyms have been properly presented textually before their use and listed in a specific section on notation/acronyms. The style of figures and tables is consistent throughout the report.

Considers:

  1. Structure. The presentation contains, in the appropriate order but not necessarily grouped or distributed under the same titles, the following items: title page, index, introduction, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusions. The presentation may also include ad hoc practical demonstrations, on-site or in other audiovisual media.

  2. Timing. The presentation adheres to the times indicated by the regulations and adequately summarizes the work. The choice of contents is appropriate for the presentation time and is distributed between literature review and own work in proportions consistent with the report.

  3. Visual quality. The slides are clearly and visibly numbered. The text is easily readable, with a font type and size suitable for projection and not excessively dense. All slides have a title. Textual lists are properly itemized. The text is clear and concise. The figures are easily readable (according to the limitations of the projector) and self-contained/self-explanatory. The following items are present, clearly visible, and easily interpretable: title, properly labeled axes, annotations, lines (appropriate thickness and colors), legend, etc. The tables are well-structured and present the information in an orderly manner. They include a title, properly labeled columns and rows, etc. The style of the figures and tables is consistent throughout the presentation. Demonstrations, if any, are relevant, and the choice of support/medium for conducting them is appropriate.

  4. Communication skills. The presentation is adequately paced, delivered with good diction, appropriately directed at the audience, and the transition from one slide or section to the next is smooth. The body language is appropriate. The speaker presents the work done convincingly and attractively. The student is receptive to comments and responds to questions confidently, clearly, and securely.

Considers:

  1. Complexity and scope. The level and quantity of work done correspond to what is expected of a Bachelor's Thesis of the corresponding degree program (taking into account the number of ECTS credits assigned to the Bachelor's Thesis).

  2. Originality, creativity, and innovation. The student contributes new elements, new tools, or new methodologies to the field in which the work is framed.

  3. Contextualization. The introductory chapters and sections make a complete and adequate presentation of the problem. The work is properly contextualized and addresses the problem posed by the project from all relevant perspectives, including, if applicable, environmental, social, economic, sustainability, and ethical aspects, in addition to the scientific and/or technological viewpoints.

  4. Methodology and tools. The methodology and tools used in achieving the objectives of the Bachelor's Thesis are the most appropriate.

  5. Results. The results obtained correspond to the objectives/challenges set by the project.

  6. Analysis, discussion, and reflection. The student systematically and rationally analyzes and discusses the literature and the results, and is able to make a critical assessment of the outcome.

  7. Synthesis (summary and conclusions). The student is able to synthesize concisely and pertinently the main findings of the work and proposes, if applicable, future lines for exploration.

  8. Mastery of the subject matter. The student demonstrates the attainment and consolidation of the knowledge obtained throughout the development of the project. The work documents an adequate level of knowledge of the state-of-the-art in the subject matter treated.

The weights that will be applied to each of the dimensions are specified in parentheses. The weight of each dimension is equally distributed among the corresponding sub-dimensions .

Each dimension/sub-dimension will be qualitatively assessed within one of the qualitative grade levels detailed below (see regulations):

  1. Exceptional. The aspects of the work evaluated in the scope of the dimension/sub-dimension subject to assessment exceptionally meet the standards set for the corresponding dimension/sub-dimension.
  2. Very good. The aspects of the work evaluated in the scope of the dimension/sub-dimension subject to assessment meet very well the standards set for the corresponding dimension/sub-dimension.
  3. Good. The aspects of the work evaluated in the scope of the dimension/sub-dimension subject to assessment meet well the standards set for the corresponding dimension/sub-dimension.
  4. Satisfactory. The aspects of the work evaluated in the scope of the dimension/sub-dimension subject to assessment meet satisfactorily the standards set for the corresponding dimension/sub-dimension.
  5. Sufficient. The aspects of the work evaluated in the scope of the dimension/sub-dimension subject to assessment meet sufficiently the standards set for the corresponding dimension/sub-dimension.
  6. Insufficient. The aspects of the work evaluated in the scope of the dimension/sub-dimension subject to assessment are not quite sufficient to meet the standards set for the corresponding dimension/sub-dimension.
  7. Deficient. The aspects of the work evaluated in the scope of the dimension/sub-dimension subject to assessment are utterly deficient relative to the standards set for the corresponding dimension/sub-dimension.

The evaluation procedure

The project supervisor (who may or may not act as secretary of the committee) assesses dimension 1 quantitatively at the time of giving approval to the deposit of the report and setting the defense date and time. This grade will be entered by the academic tutor of the project in SIA by delegation of the project supervisor in case they are different persons.

Before the defense, each committee member individually assesses (via SIA) each of the sub-dimensions of dimension 2 of the rubric, related to the formal quality of the report.

Once the defense and ensuing deliberation are completed, each panel member individually assesses (via SIA) each of the sub-dimensions that make up dimensions 3, related to the formal quality of the presentation, and 4, related to the technical quality of the work as a whole, through a qualitative grade.

Finally, the TFE assessment application will propose to each committee member, based on the qualitative grades issued for each and every one of the sub-dimensions, a numerical interval from which to choose the overall quantitative grade. Each member will issue a global numerical grade within the proposed interval and may recommend the award of Distinction with Honors (MH) if the chosen grade is equal to or higher than 9. The upper and lower ends of the proposed quantitative grade interval made by the application result from the weighted average of the upper and lower limits of the intervals corresponding to the qualitative grades chosen for each sub-dimension.

The final numerical grade results from the arithmetic mean of the global quantitative grades issued by the committee members, properly weighed with the quantitative grade issued by the project supervisor. The detailed qualitative feedback that the student will have access to will follow the format of a qualitative grade for each sub-dimension. A numeric value will be calculated for each sub-dimension based on the reference values corresponding to the qualitative grades issued by the panel members, using the arithmetic mean. The qualitative grade of the sub-dimension will be the one corresponding to the interval containing this arithmetic mean, rounded to the midpoint.