Originally Posted by
lin821
I believe that's the general convention for the U.S. colleges and universities. I recall reading at least three similar threads "authored" by non US-based FTers that asked for input for their "dissertations." Two turned out to be for undergrad requirement and another for master's. Oh, there's one more. Once a newbie indicated writing a "thesis" for his college course work.
One more data point when dissertation being used in non-Ph.D. degree requirement in UK. See
this most recent thread. If I am not mistaken, the degree OP's pursuing seems to be equivalent to a undergrad (or a vocational) degree in the U.S., but OP used "dissertation" to describe the research project.
To the best of my knowledge, dissertation is the degree requirement for Ph.D (or doctoral) degree in the States and only Ph.D. degree candidates can self-identify as writing or working on dissertation. Even though I am not that familiar with the educational systems in Europe, but the threads I read on FT gave me the impression that European degree seekers tend to use the term "dissertation" in a much loose sense than Americans.
Meaning in Europe, any research project to complete the final degree requirements, ranging from undergrad, masters, and doctoral, can be called a "dissertation." That makes it difficult for the US-dominated IBB to effectively communicate w/r/t research purposes/methods/expectations fitting the level of degree in question.
Maybe our fellow European or other non-US FTers can clear up my confusion: "Is dissertation used in all levels of degree requirements in your country? Or dissertation is strictly for Ph.D., just like the American higher education?"
