The two-year MSc programme Regional Studies is offered in English. Table 3.1 provides a detailed overview of the programme for each year and also provides the names of the lecturer(s) for each module. They are responsible for the content, the organization and the coordination of the modules. In Semester 1a, research Master students are allotted a mentor, i.e. an URSI researcher of the desired specialization who will coach the student about the programme, courses to be selected, workshops to be followed, year plan, etc.
Research Master in Regional Studies; Spaces and Places, Analysis and Intervention • The first two modules in the Research Master focus on the philosophical and
methodological background to advanced research in Regional Studies, more specifically in the field of human geography, demography, spatial planning, and development studies and their research frontiers.
• The basis for the entire Research Master’s programme (REG1) is the module The Research Process (GEMRESPR, 5 EC). Research frontiers (REG2) include participation in national and international research conferences and workshops. Participation is discussed with the mentor and the coordinator of the Research Master. Research Master students participate in URSI / Graduate School conferences and seminars. Students in the development specialization are advised to participate also in workshops and conferences organized by Dutch NGOs on development issues.
• Three modules (REG3) worth 10 EC (3 x 10 EC = 30 EC) have to be chosen from the following four options for theoretical specialization in regions: cultural dimensions; economic dimensions; demographic dimensions; spatial planning and policy dimensions; development dimensions.
• Examples of theoretical modules provided by the Faculty are presented in Table 3.2. Modules from outside the faculty can be selected after approval by the coordinator.
• The Board of the Graduate School of Spatial Sciences may allow the substitution of one of the specializations by another 10 EC course in order to facilitate more specialization.
• Individual research training (REG4). Each student participates actively in a current research project of URSI in order to experience how scientific research works in practice (10 EC). Ideally, the outcome of the training is an international joint article.
• Modules worth at least 15 EC focus on advanced and specialized research methods and techniques (REG6) which are relevant for research in human geography, demography , spatial planning and development studies. Examples of methodological modules provided by the Faculty are presented in Table 3.3. In addition, special short-term methodology workshops are occasionally organized, either within the Faculty of Spatial Sciences, NETHUR or another research network. The workshops are organized for both Research Master and PhD students. For students in the development specialization, there are possibilities –in consultation with the coordinator- to practice the application of qualitative research methods in other cultures at Karnatak University Dharwad, in India.
• Early in the second year, students prepare The Research Proposal and Study Design for the Master Thesis, based on theoretical and methodological modules from the first year. Meetings are organized for groups of students on research questions, theoretical framework, study design, analysis method, etc (REG6) (3 EC).
• One module focuses on research management, scientific and personal competences (4 EC (REG7). Participation in the organization of an internal conference or workshop may be part of this.
• Scientific writing and presentation in English (5 EC) (REG8). Ideally, a link is made with the report / article of the individual research training.
• A study period abroad (8 EC) (REG9). Bearing in mind the objective to train students in research at an international level, a stay abroad is a compulsory part of the Research Master’s programme. The stay abroad is either linked to
Research Master in Regional Studies; Spaces and Places, Analysis and Intervention following modules, the individual research training or the Master thesis. Students in the development specialization can make use of the collaborations of FRW and CDS in China, India, Indonesia, Uganda, Mexico, etc.
• A Master Thesis research project (30 EC) (REG10). Ideally, an international article based on the Master Thesis will be written. The thesis and article must reflect what has been learnt in the Research Master’s programme.
• A preliminary research proposal for a PhD project (3 EC) (REG11). Students prepare a PhD research proposal for a subsequent PhD research, usually on the same or a closely related topic as the Master Thesis. The proposal must reflect all that is learnt in the Research Master programme and show that the student is qualified to follow a PhD project (independently of whether a PhD programme will be followed or not).
Writing a Master Thesis under individual supervision is a major element in the Research Master’s programme in Regional Studies. The thematic theoretical and methodological specializations and the study abroad period are important preparations for this part of the programme. Obviously, hypothesis testing and data analysis as well as communicating the results are major factors in this work. In combination with the work on their theses, students will ideally write an article based on the thesis that meets the standards of an international scientific journal. At the end of the programme, students prepare a PhD research proposal for a possible subsequent PhD research, usually on the same or a closely related topic. The above combination of modules provides the necessary theoretical and methodological background to acquire the qualifications set out in the previous section. Because regions are influenced by cultural, economic and demographic factors, by planning and policy, and are in a certain stage of development, the functioning of regions can only be studied with advanced knowledge of several disciplines. Therefore, knowledge of three of the four theoretical specializations is required in the Research Master’s programme in Regional Studies. More choice is offered by the modules on research methods in order to facilitate the research project for the Master Thesis in an optimal way. All modules, including the Master Thesis research project, will be given or supervised by active, qualified researchers from the Urban and Regional Studies Institute (URSI). The formal regulations of the programme are set out in the ‘Teaching and Examination Regulations’ (OER) Research Master’s programme in Regional Studies.
Some modules (see Table 3.2) are jointly organized with research partners in the research school NETHUR. In order to maximize the use of the existing knowledge of all research fellows in NETHUR, exchange of fellows as lecturers in advanced theoretical and methodological modules among the participants in NETHUR is promoted and students can follow modules offered by the partner institutes.
Modes of instruction: lectures, seminars and workshops, small group projects, computer workgroups, literature study.
Examinations/assessments: papers, presentations, tests, exams, participation, thesis. A mentor, selected from the staff of the research group in which the student plans to specialize, is assigned to each student at the start of the programme. A detailed study plan is formulated by the student and the mentor together and submitted to the coordinator. Depending on the expertise needed for the topic of the Master Thesis, supervision can also be carried out by a team of two supervisors.
Research Master in Regional Studies; Spaces and Places, Analysis and Intervention
Student assistants
Each year, some student assistant places are available for Research Master students. This applies especially to methodological courses in the Bachelors Human Geography and Planning and Environmental and Infrastructure Planning. Also in other courses, student assistants preferably come from the Research Master cohort.