General Information
Thank you for your interest in writing a Bachelor Thesis in the area of Supply Chain Management. As part of our program, we offer you individual support and an interactive working environment. In detail, the program includes:
Assistence with finding a topic
- Fascinating and challenging issues of current SCM topics in research and in the field
- Selection from a multitude of specific topics
Intensive and well-structured support process
- Regular feedback and discussion sessions with your academic advisor
- Workshops covering scientific working (in the course of the Bachelor seminar)
- Professional one-day presentation skills workshopPresentation of your key results during the common final colloquium
Networking with fellow bachelor students
- You have the opportunity to confer with fellow students during the Kick off-Meeting, the workshop and the final colloquium
Your Bachelor Thesis can either be drafted in German or English. For further information on formal criteria please refer to this document.
Application
The admission to our Bachelor Working Program is regulated by a central allocation procedure of the WiSo faculty. Application is conducted via KLIPS 2.0. In KLIPS 2.0 you will be given further information concerning the correct procedure as well as dates and deadlines.
Topics
Preparing your Bachelor Thesis, you can choose from a wide range of topics in the area of Supply Chain Management. Please find a list of topic suggestions here.
You can find more information about the procedure and allocation on the WiSo website here
FAQs
Language
In which language is the Bachelor thesis written?
- The Bachelor thesis can be written in German or English - if not specified in advance.
In which language will the midterm presentation be held?
- Regardless of the language in which the Bachelor thesis is written, the presentation can be held in German or English. However, please discuss this again with your supervisor..
Allocation and Application
How do I apply?
- You apply via Klips during the first enrolment phase. You can find schedules for upcoming semesters with the corresponding enrolment phases here:: https://klips2-support.uni-koeln.de/en/klips-20-support/news-and-dates.
Do I have to apply for both starting dates?
- That is not necessary. It is sufficient to apply for the date for which you would like to write. You will generally get a place if you meet the requirements..
Which requirements do I have to fulfil?
- To be able to apply for a Bachelor's thesis, you must have passed a Bachelorseminar in the SCM Area and have accumulated 100 LP at the time of exam registration.
Are there enough places?
- Yes, there are enough places for all applicants.
When will I find out who is my supervisor?
- At the kick-off you will be assigned to your supervisor and the corresponding subject area.
Can I prepare anything before the kick-off?
- You can work on the learning modules for scientific work in the Ilias course for the Bachelor's thesis.
In addition, the University and City Library of Cologne and the WiSo Faculty offer courses on scientific work that can be attended free of charge. You can find an overview of these courses here: https://www.ub.uni-koeln.de/lernen_arbeiten/lernen/kurse/index_ger.html#akkordeon_oeffner58224_uzk15__akkordeon4-titel1.
Topics
How does topic allocation work?
- For topic allocation, you fill out a preference list with six topic preferences on Ilias. This preference list is based on the superordinate topics from the topic list. The main topics (depending on availability) are then allocated accordingly.
Do I have to decide on my topic in advance?
- You will be assigned to your superordinate topic in the kick-off. You will then determine the detailed topic together with your supervisor
- You will be assigned to your superordinate topic in the kick-off. You will then determine the detailed topic together with your supervisor.
Can I bring in my own topics?
- Yes, you can bring in your own topics if they fit in with your assigned topic area. Discuss your proposal with your supervisor at your first meeting.
Can I write with a company?
- In principle, you can write your Bachelor's thesis in cooperation with a company. However, we do not recommend this, as the short duration of a Bachelor's thesis makes this difficult. Experience has shown that it is very difficult to find and work out a topic in such a short period of time and to do justice to the ideas and expectations of the company as well as to the academic standards of our department.
Can I still change the title after registration?
- The title of the Bachelor's thesis can still be adjusted - in consultation with your supervisor - until it is submitted. However, the overall topic can no longer be changed.
Submission, colloquium and assessment
Is there a colloquium?
- No, there is no colloquium. However, there is a voluntary and unassessed interim presentation. This serves to provide feedback on your work so far. If you do not wish to take part in the interim presentation, you must deregister beforehand.
How do I hand in the work?
- Please refer to the information provided by the Examinations Office. You can find it here: https://wiso.uni-koeln.de/de/fakultaet/dekanat/pruefungsaemter/po-2015-po-2021/abschlussarbeiten.
When do I have to hand in the paper?
- You can find your submission deadline on Klips.
How long does it take for my work to be assessed?
- The assessment of your work takes a maximum of 8 weeks.
How will I know my grade?
- The grade of your work will be entered in Klips as usual, but many supervisors will send you an email with your grade in advance.
Is there a feedback session?
- Yes, there is the possibility of a feedback meeting.
Supervision
When does the processing start?
- The processing period starts on two fixed dates in the semester. The dates depend on the terms. You can apply for either the early or the late processing time in the semester.
What is the rough procedure?
- The following exemplary plan can give you an indication, see PDF. Please note, however, that the procedure may vary depending on the topic and the supervisor.
Can the processing period be adjusted individually?
- There are two fixed time slots for the bachelor theses per semester. An individual adjustment of the processing period, e.g. due to internships or semesters abroad, is not possible. However, you can distribute the workload within the processing period and apply for an extension of the deadline in case of illness.
Can I do an internship, write exams or travel during the Bachelor thesis?
- The Bachelor's thesis is valued at 12 ECTS in the course of study. This corresponds to a workload of approximately 360 hours. How you divide the workload during the processing period is up to you. We recommend a constant workload of about 30 hours/week