Graduating STPA

The student is required to complete and send by email to the Academic Unit (UF) at pratiche.studenti@vet.unipi.it the Final Paper Application, duly filled out and signed by both the student and the Supervisor, at least three months before the expected date of the defense.

At the same time, the student must send to the same Academic Unit the request for the appointment of the Co-Supervisor, completed and signed by the Supervisor, observing the same deadline.
The Academic Unit will forward the request to the Degree Program Council for approval and the appointment of the Co-Supervisor.

The student must submit a version of the final paper:

• To the Supervisor at least 30 days before the defense date;
• To the Co-Supervisor at least 20 days before the defense date;

At least 15 days before the defense, the student must submit to the Academic Unit:

• The PDF file of the final paper, including the cover page and the definitive title;
• A printed copy of the paper for the use of the Committee (to be returned to the student after the defense).

• Submission of the Final Paper application and request for the appointment of the Co-Supervisor to the Academic Unit: at least 3 months before the expected defense date
• Graduation application to the Student Office: at least 30 days before the Final Exam
• Submission of the paper to the Supervisor for review: at least 30 days before the defense
• Submission of the paper to the Co-Supervisor for review: at least 20 days before the defense.
• Submission to the Academic Unit of the final PDF and a printed copy of the paper: at least 15 days before the defense.

The Final Paper defense takes place before the Final Paper Committee (CEF).
The student has:

• A maximum of 10 minutes for any questions and further discussion from the Committee
• A maximum of 15 minutes for the presentation of the paper, using an electronic format.

The final evaluation is structured as follows:

1. Evaluation of the academic record: the Student Office/Academic Unit calculates the base score based on the weighted average of the exams taken during the Degree Program, expressed out of 110.
2. Evaluation of the Final Paper (maximum 6 points): the evaluation of the paper, agreed upon and proposed by the Supervisor and the Co-Supervisor, is based on the following criteria:
   • relevance and topicality of the topic with respect to the Degree Program (max 2 points);
   • completeness and currency of the bibliographic research (max 2 points);
   • organization, clarity of presentation, and ability for critical analysis (max 2 points).
3. Evaluation of the presentation (maximum 2 points): the Committee assesses:
   • presentation skills and quality of supporting materials (max 1 point);
   • ability to respect the presentation time (max 1 point);

The maximum score that can be awarded for the Final Paper is 8 points.
The final graduation grade is determined by the sum of:

• Of the base grade (weighted average of exams),
• Of the score awarded to the Final Paper.

The maximum achievable grade is 110/110.
In the case of achieving the maximum score, honors (cum laude) may be awarded unanimously by the Committee.