FAQ Thesis & Seminar
General
Writing Process & Formatting
You can find templates for LaTeX and Word here.
Usage of AI tools like LLMs
We follow the guidelines of the Informatics Faculty: https://www.informatik.kit.edu/downloads/studium/Leitfaden_Generative_KI_Informatik.pdf
Please read and follow them accordingly. In addition to the guidelines, you are not allowed to generate entire paragraphs using LLMs. However, you may use LLMs to improve your writing, e.g., formatting.
Finally, the aforementioned template contains a table that you need to fill out for transparency.
Questions:
Q: What language should I write my thesis or seminar in, and in what language should I give my presentation?
A: In general, you can choose to write in German or English. However, we recommend writing in English, as it is an important skill to acquire. However, there will be no grading bonus (or malus if not) if you do so. Regarding the presentation, you can also use a combination of languages, e.g. presenting in English and holding the discussion in German.
Q: How often should I contact my supervisor?
A: This depends on your supervisor. In general, we recommend discussing this at the beginning of your seminar/thesis to avoid creating false expectations on either side. A good rule of thumb is to get in touch more often at the beginning if you are unsure about the direction or have made some major changes.
Q: How should I cite?
A: We use the citation style APA 6 or 7. As a good reference, we can recommend scribbr.
Q: Which sections count towards the (standard) page count?
A: All content from the introduction to the final chapter. Excluded are the abstract, tables of contents, references, and appendices.
Q: Must I always cite the primary source, even if I don’t have access to it?
A: It’s preferable to locate and cite the primary source. If the primary source cannot be found and the statement is not critical, you may rely on the secondary source but cite both. Be aware of the risk that a secondary source may not accurately represent the primary source.
Q: May I directly quote in a foreign language in a German thesis?
A: You may quote directly in a language understood by the examiners. For example, English is accepted.
Note: If the quote is longer than 40 words, a direct quote must stand alone in a separate paragraph.
Q: May I place citations at the end of a paragraph?
A: No, paragraph citations are not permitted according to APA style. If an entire paragraph is based on one source, mention the source at the beginning of the paragraph. If the following paragraphs remain thematically tied to the same source, it will be evident that the content derives from that source.
Q: How should I structure a chapter?
A: Every level of subheadings must have at least two elements. Additional guidelines:
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Chapters should generally not exceed three levels of depth (e.g., 2.3.4). For further subdivisions, use non-numerical formatting, such as bold text.
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Subsections should typically be at least half a page long.
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Text between the chapter title (e.g., "2. Theory") and the first subsection (e.g., "2.1") is optional. Consistency across all chapters is recommended.
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The Introduction is usually not subdivided.
Note: These are guidelines meant for orientation and not strict rules. Exceptions are possible.
Q: Which chapters use Roman numerals and which use Arabic numerals?
A: Use Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, etc.) for the main chapters (e.g. Introduction, Conclusion and References). Use Roman numerals for sections such as the appendix. The title page should be counted, but the number is not shown.
Q: How should I format paragraphs without new headings?
A: Separate paragraphs with a blank line. This helps readers clearly distinguish between sections.
Q: Which abbreviations must be included in the list of abbreviations?
A: If you are writing a seminar, you do not need to include a list of abbreviations.
Uncommon abbreviations should always be included. Common abbreviations (e.g., "etc.," "e.g.," "i.e.") should not be listed.
Q: How do I introduce an abbreviation?
A: Introduce an abbreviation at its first occurrence, e.g., "[..] Conversational Agent (CA) [..]". Write the term in full, followed by the abbreviation in parentheses.
Note: Avoid abbreviations if they are used only once or twice.
Submission & Grading
Q: Do I have to submit a physical version of the thesis/seminar paper?
A: In general, your main supervisor decides if a bounded copy is necessary. In the case of Prof. Dr. Jella Pfeiffer being your main supervisor, please always submit a copy. Also submit a copy of your thesis if your supervisor is Luca Bennardo. For Dr. Pascal Heßler, Julia Gutschow, and for seminars, Luca Bennardo, a digital submission suffices. The analog submission may be received up to three business days after the deadline, provided the digital submission is received by the deadline.
Q: Where do I submit my thesis/seminar paper?
A: To submit your thesis/seminar paper digitally, along with any other attachments, please upload them to BW Sync & Share: https://bwsyncandshare.kit.edu/s/wnEWQGHPfJBpL5b.
Please use the following naming convention: {Bachelor/Master}_{Seminar/Thesis}_{student_id}.zip. You should only upload one packed file overall, if you only submit pdf you do not have to zip it. If you are only submitting a single PDF, you do not have to zip it. If your supplementary material includes source code, create a repository on GitLab by KIT and invite your supervisor to it. Give them the Maintainer role for full access.
The written seminar/thesis should also be sent to your supervisor via email.
Q: How strict is the chair regarding the submission deadline?
A: We are very strict, as this is a legal matter, and we are obligated to reject late submissions.
As a recommendation, you can upload a preliminary version one day before the final deadline and submit the final version later. We will consider the latest version, as long as it is submitted within the correct timeframe.
Q: Do I need to submit cited online sources?
A: No, but we recommend saving a PDF of any cited online sources to ensure availability upon request.
Presentation
Q: How long is the final presentation?
A: For a bachelor seminar, the presentation should be 12 minutes long.
For a master seminar, the presentation should be 15 minutes long.
For a Bachelor's thesis, it should be 20 minutes long.
For a Master’s thesis, it should be 20 minutes.
After your presentation, there will be a 10 minute discussion.
Q: Is there a template for the presentation?
A: No, there isn't. Please ensure that your name and the title of your presentation are on the first slide. The slide number should also be included on all slides.
Q: Is the presentation graded?
A: It depends on your course of study. All seminar presentations will be graded. If you study "Wirtschaftsinformatik" at the bachelor's degree level, the final presentation of the thesis will also be graded. For the courses of study in "Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen" and "Digital Economics," the final presentation will not be graded at the bachelor's or master's level. For other courses of study, please refer to your "Prüfungsordnung."
In both the Bachelor's and Master's seminars, the presentation – as well as participation in the discussion (e.g., asking questions during other students' presentations) –accounts for 30% of the final grade.
Seminar
Q: Do I need to give a presentation in addition to submitting the paper?
A: Yes, the presentation date is before the final submission. For more details, take a look into the Kick-off slides.
Q: When do I have to set the title for my paper, and can I change it afterward?
A: A title is helpful from the start, but in the seminar you can change the title until the last day.
Writing Process & Formatting
Q: What should I do in case I get sick during the time I am supposed to write my paper?
A: We need proof that you have actually been absent, for example, in the form of a medical certificate. With this request, the submission deadline for your final submission can be extended by up to one month.
Q: How many pages do I have to write?
A: For seminars, we expect 18 standard pages. For reference: 300 words equal one standard page.
Note: Deviations of ±10 % are allowed without prior approval, resulting in [4860; 5940] words. For larger deviations, approval from your supervisor is necessary.
Submission & Grading
Q: When will my seminar paper be graded?
A: Within 6 weeks after your final submission.
Thesis
For the general procedure, please take a look at https://wi3.win.kit.edu/65.php.
Q: Do I have to do a presentation of my thesis in addition to the written submission?
A: In general, you always need to give a presentation. The presentation will take place before the final submission.
For the Bachelor's thesis in the "Wirtschaftsinformatik" course of study, the presentation will be graded (presentation: 3 ECTS; thesis: 12 ECTS).
Q: When do I have to decide on the title for my thesis, and can I change it afterward?
A: You need to have decided on a title for the registration of your thesis. You may change your title until your final submission, but please always discuss it with your supervisor.
Q: How much time do I have for my thesis?
A: This again depends on your course of study and degree level. At the master's level, you have six months from the official registration date. If your course of study is "Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen" or "Digital Economics," you have six months; if your course of study is "Wirtschaftsinformatik," you have four months..
Q: Do I need to write an abstract?
A: Yes, you need to write one. It should be max 300 Words long.
Writing Process & Formatting
Q: What should I do in case I get sick during the time I am supposed to write my thesis?
A: For an extension of the processing time, you will have to submit a request to the examination board. For this request, you will additionally need an approving statement from your supervising examiner. The application is sent via an online form on the WiWi portal and will be processed within approximately 3 weeks.
With this request, the submission deadline for a Bachelor’s thesis can be extended by up to one month (see e.g., WI Bachelor's Examination Regulations §14 Section 6 and WiIng Bachelor's Examination Regulations §14 Section 6), while the one for a Master’s thesis can be extended by up to 3 months (see e.g., WI Master's Examination Regulations §14 Section 6 and WiIng Master's Examination Regulations §14 Section 6).
For further information, e.g., the contents of the supervisor’s statement, please visit the faculty website.
Q: Is a medical certificate required for an approving statement by the supervisor?
A: No, please refrain from sharing any medical certificates with us. This process goes mainly over the examination board.
Q: How many pages do I have to write?
A: A Bachelor's thesis is expected to have 40 to 60 pages (excluding the cover, table of contents, list of figures and tables, references, and appendices).
A Master's thesis is expected to have 60 to 80 pages (excluding the cover, table of contents, list of figures and tables, references, and appendices).
Submission & Grading
Q: When will my thesis be graded?
A: This depends on your degree.
For a Bachelor’s Thesis in Information Systems, your thesis will be graded within six weeks after submission and presentation, whichever date is later (see WI Bachelor's Examination Regulations §14 Section 7 and WiIng Bachelor's Examination Regulations §14 Section 7 ).
The grading for Master’s theses takes up to eight weeks (see e.g., WI Master's Examination Regulations §14 Section 7 and WiIng Master's Examination Regulations §14 Section 7).