Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Final Master's Degree Project
Other languages of instruction: English, Spanish
Teaching staff
Contact by email:Dr. Boi Ruiz boi.ruiz@uic.es
Introduction
The Master's thesis consists of the defense of a specific applied management project, which may be original or the application of an existing one. In the latter case, it will require the presentation of results from this application.
In the thesis, the application and integration of the knowledge acquired in the theoretical and practical modules must be evident, as well as the effective use of available resources to efficiently solve the problems arising from its development.
Each thesis must contain the maximum number of aspects developed in the theoretical subjects... and must apply them to concrete activities.
For its preparation, the student must demonstrate autonomy, initiative, creativity, synthesis ability, relational skills, and innovation, as well as the development of previously acquired knowledge, skills, and strategies. The "proposal" of the topic to be worked on must be submitted to the Academic Committee for acceptance, including:
- Title of the thesis
- Objective of the thesis
- Description of the methodology to be used
The Committee will take into account the preferences and concerns of the student, their future professional interests, the potential for curricular or career improvement, the evaluation by their tutor during the practical period, the results of the theoretical evaluation, etc.
Once the topic is chosen, a tutor will be assigned (selected from the Master's professors or one of the tutors the student had during the internship period).
The minimum content outline of the project will be:
- Introduction and presentation of the project – Background and justification
- Study and evaluation of the environment
- Definition of objectives and strategic lines
- Methodology and design of the project
- Application and implementation of this planning
- Evaluation system and study of results (if applicable)
- Discussion and conclusions
- Relevant bibliography
The oral defense of the thesis will take place after the completion of the internship period. Therefore, depending on the organization of the internships, defenses of theses will be accepted after the course has ended, always under the consideration of the academic committee.
Pre-course requirements
It is advisable for the student to have received training in the theoretical and methodological module and to have completed the practical rotations in order to carry out the master's thesis with full knowledge, although it is not essential to have the evaluation results of these to begin it. The defense of the thesis before the committee will be contingent upon having passed the other two modules of the Master's program (theoretical and practical).
The evaluation committee will be composed of three professors affiliated with a knowledge area related to the topic and/or methodology of the master's thesis. At least two members of the committee will be professors of the master's program or tutors during the internship period. This committee will be appointed by the Master's Teaching Committee.
In the evaluation of the thesis, the following will be taken into account:
- The content and coherence of the overall work, especially the application of knowledge and acquired concepts.
- The organization and methodology of the presentation of the thesis.
- The innovative contributions of the student. The applicability of the project.
Objectives
The Master's final papers will be a fundamental tool for deepening the general competencies worked on in Modules I and II, and for developing the specific ones of this module, according to the idiosyncrasy of the work.
The integration of all the knowledge acquired throughout the Master's program culminates when the student demonstrates the ability to design a specific management project.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CN01 - Identify sources of financing for health care, payment systems and different health insurance.
- CN02 - Identify the portfolio of services and the key healthcare processes of each organisation and level of health level.
- CP02 - Communicate correctly in a professional and multidisciplinary context, both orally and in writing and with the correct terminology and the specific concepts of the healthcare management environment, in a national or international context, being able to read, understand and synthesise specific literature.
- CP03 - Interpret the needs and expectations of patients, either real or potential, to evaluate management programmes in the healthcare field.
- CP04 - Use the concepts of economic management confidently in a real environment, within the framework of the public and private management of a healthcare company.
- CP05 - Apply the techniques for the correct management of people in a real healthcare management situation, respecting fundamental equal rights between men and women, and the promotion of human rights and the values inherent in a peaceful society of democratic values using inclusive, non-discriminatory language without stereotypes.
- HB02 - Analyse the benefits and potential of each element that makes up the various healthcare models (local, national and international, public and private sectors), prioritising decisions that take into account the benefit of well-being and health for the healthcare system.
- HB03 - Suggest solutions for target requirements to achieve a balance between supply and demand in the field of healthcare management.
- HB04 - Use reliable sources of information for appropriate decision-making at all levels of the healthcare organisation, and use these sources to form the basis for innovation and research management in their centre. In doing so, identify ideas that generate new products or services and that can be transferred to society through patents, the creation of new start-ups, spin-offs or companies.
- HB05 - Propose an action plan to ensure coordination between different levels of care in the field of health management.
- HB06 - Apply assessment and quality control (technical, perceived, overall) and patient safety models.
- HB07 - Relate learned concepts to real situations and apply them properly. Keep informed of the aspects that directly or indirectly influence healthcare organisations (budget management, regulatory applications, environmental health situations, etc.).
Learning outcomes of the subject
The students will be able to:
1. Apply the content and methodologies received in the theoretical and practical modules to a specific health management project.
2. Defend the project by conducting a comprehensive internal and external analysis before stating the objectives, and do so in an orderly manner.
3. Argue with relevant bibliography and well-defined conclusions to support their argumentation.
4. Analyze the available data, providing a reasoned interpretation of its exploitation to reach conclusions and decisions.
5. Synthesize clearly and concisely, both in writing and verbally, when presenting and defending the project.
Syllabus
The final paper Masters is a public defense of a specific management project applied to any of the contents of learning, one or four areas of knowledge.
The work can be unprecedented and exceptionally, be accepted as work, the presentation of a project already developed and in operation, provided that prioritizes the presentation of quantified results.
It is necessary to assess the implementation and integration of learning modules received in the theoretical and practical, and effective use of resources at its disposal to provide efficient solutions to problems arising from their development.
For its preparation, the student must show independence, initiative, capacity building, capacity for synthesis, ability to relate and innovation and development of knowledge, skills and strategies previously acquired.
The work item proposal shall be submitted to the Educational Commission for acceptance and must include a maximum of two pages, the following sections:
-Student ID
-Proposed title of the work
-Rationale and Purpose of labor
-Description of the methodology used
For this assessment, the Commission will take into account the preferences and concerns of students, their future professional interests, the potential for improving curriculum or career, to assess their tutor during practical, theoretical evaluation results, ....
Once chosen the theme will be assigned a mentor (chosen among the professors of the master).
The presentation to the court of final paper Masters shall be subject to successful completion of the other two modules (theoretical and practical).
The script for the minimum content of the project will:
-Project Title
-Introduction and project presentation - Background and Rationale
-Clearly identified objectives
-Methodology and project design, including: Feasibility Assessment. Study and environmental assessment, definition of objectives and strategic lines
-Application and implementation of the project, including: Development of lines and objectives, organization of the system work, Application and / or implementation of planning, strengths and limitations in planning.
-Assessment system plan - LED indicators
-Discussion and conclusions
-Bibliography
As a guide of the work: It should be a maximum of 50 pages (A4, Times New Roman 12, 1.5 spacing, margins default Word program, and bound) and must report to the secretary of the Masters as is scheduled in the calendar, in both paper and electronic format, with the knowledge and acceptance of his tutor.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
Teaching methodologies
The teaching methodologies planned for the Master's Final Project are:
• Supervision of the Master's Final Project (TFM): The student will have an assigned tutor (who will have a direct relationship with the chosen topic) who will guide them, while encouraging autonomy, initiative, and the development of acquired skills and knowledge, ensuring that the student seeks solutions to the problems they encounter.
• Self-learning Activities (AAP): These activities are designed for the student to solve problems independently, with the help of the materials provided, as well as the information gathered in face-to-face classes and/or during the internship period, along with supplementary documentation provided, bibliographic references, etc.
• Feedback: The Master's Teaching Committee provides feedback to the student whenever deemed necessary, to guide, redirect, or encourage the student to take initiative and contribute their opinions, perspectives, or knowledge.
Learging Activities
The Learging Activities planned for the Master's Final Project are:
• Tutorials (TUT): A personalized advisory relationship is established, where the professor attends to, facilitates, and guides one or more students in the training process, whether for theoretical training, practical work, or the master's final project. This helps to identify aspects that require reinforcement or expansion.
• Personal Study and Self-learning Activities (EPA): These activities are designed for the student to analyze, seek information, or solve problems independently, with the help of the materials provided and the information gathered in face-to-face classes and/or during the internship period, as well as the supplementary documentation provided, bibliographic references, etc. This is carried out in all modules and throughout the entire master's program, including internships and the final master's project. The objective is to deepen and consolidate the knowledge received.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
The assessment systems planned for the Master's Final Project are:
• Master's Final Project (TFM): A written work in which the student's ability to read, analyze, and synthesize the bibliography and literature in the field of specialization will be evaluated, as well as the preparation of relevant documentation in their area of knowledge using a research methodological process. It will be structured through the preparation of a report. The evaluation will be conducted by the committee that examines the students (a committee that does not include the TFM supervisor). The weighting interval will be 40-50% of the overall grade for the subject.
• Defense of the TFM (DTFM): A public defense of a research project before a specialized committee. The ability to express oneself in written and oral form will be evaluated in a professional context, using correct terminology and specific concepts. The content and coherence of the entire work will be assessed. The evaluation will be conducted by the committee that examines the students (a committee that does not include the TFM supervisor). Furthermore, passing the oral defense will be an essential requirement to pass the TFM subject. The weighting interval will be 50-60% of the overall grade for the subject.