Below, Mr. Siegert provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding the thesis process.

01. When should a student begin preparing for the thesis?

Writing a Bachelor's or Master's thesis is a substantial undertaking that benefits from early preparation. It is highly recommended to explore potential topics and review the timeline at least three to six months before the mandatory start date. If a student feels they are already behind schedule, workable solutions can often be found, but early communication ensures the widest range of options. For detailed submission and duration rules, please consult the Regulations & Procedures page.

02. How many theses does Mr. Siegert supervise simultaneously?

Supervision capacities vary each semester based on ongoing research projects and academic commitments. Mr. Siegert does not set a rigid maximum in advance. To determine current availability, students should first check the status notice on the Thesis Topics page. If the directory is under review, a brief inquiry via the Contact page is welcome.

03. What if a student wishes to write under Mr. Siegert’s supervision but does not have a specific topic?

This is a common and easily managed scenario. Students can apply without a predetermined topic by choosing Option 1 ("General Application") on the Regulations & Procedures page. In this case, Mr. Siegert will suggest suitable topics based on the student's academic background and interests. Alternatively, students can choose Option 2 ("Announced Topics") and select up to two specific titles from the currently available Thesis Topics directory.

04. Are custom topic suggestions from students accepted?

Independent research initiatives are highly welcome. Writing on a topic of genuine personal interest is one of the strongest predictors of a successful thesis. Students wishing to pursue their own ideas should review Option 3 ("Propose Your Own") on the Regulations & Procedures page, which requires an initial literature review and a clearly defined research question. If the project involves an external company, students must follow Option 4 ("Corporate Partner") to ensure all scientific and anonymization requirements are formally met before applying.

05. What if a student feels hesitant, uncertain, or anxious about starting?

Students are encouraged not to delay the process. A supervisor’s role is not only to evaluate the final product but to provide structured guidance to build academic confidence from day one. Many common anxieties surrounding thesis writing are greatly exaggerated. Students should review the formal application options first and then reach out via the Contact page to initiate the process.

06. Who is eligible to choose Mr. Siegert as an examiner or primary supervisor?

Mr. Siegert is currently an officially recognized and registered examiner at the following institutions:

• Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Göttingen
  (Fully registered and permanently authorized examiner; active from April 2022 through late 2027)

Past Registrations & Recognitions:

• Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, University of Göttingen
  (Authorized via multiple case-by-case / ad-hoc recognitions from February 2023 through 2025)

07. What options exist if Mr. Siegert cannot be chosen as the primary examiner?

Administrative hurdles of this nature are often straightforward to resolve. In most cases, appointing a secondary examiner from the student's own faculty satisfies institutional requirements. This process frequently requires minimal paperwork. Students facing this situation should address it during their initial email inquiry.

08. Is Mr. Siegert available to serve as a secondary examiner?

Yes. Depending on the specific research area and current capacities, Mr. Siegert is open to serving as a secondary examiner (Zweitprüfer). Inquiries should be submitted via the Contact page, including a brief summary of the thesis topic.

09. Can Mr. Siegert be involved as a third or background supervisor?

While this is an unconventional arrangement, it is possible depending on the scientific scope of the project. Interested students should send a detailed request outlining why the lab's specific expertise is required for their research.

10. Is it mandatory to write the thesis in English, or are other languages accepted?

While Mr. Siegert highly encourages submissions in English to align with global scientific standards and maximize international research impact, writing the thesis in German is generally accepted. 

Note on Upcoming Language Tracks: Depending on institutional accreditations and evaluation capacities for upcoming terms, the lab is currently preparing to expand its supervision framework to include French-language options for Bachelor’s theses in the near future.

Mandatory Operational & Examination Languages:

All active communication, including individual supervision meetings, project alignment, and the mandatory oral presentations or defense talks (e.g., within the weekly research colloquium), must be conducted entirely in either English or German. Fluent, advanced proficiency in one of these two operational languages is a strict prerequisite for supervision.

Mandatory Requirement for Scientific Publications:

Independent of the language chosen for the examination manuscript, any subsequent scientific papers, or journal publications resulting from the thesis framework must be drafted exclusively in English, without exception.

The final language choice for the thesis must be formally aligned during the preliminary consultation phase. 

Regardless of the language chosen, academic clarity, precise terminology, and professional syntax are mandatory requirements for the final evaluation.

10. What is the best way to submit further questions or a formal inquiry?

The submission protocol depends entirely on the nature of your request:

• For Official Thesis Applications: Students must strictly follow the step-by-step application tracks outlined on the Regulations & Procedures page. Your email inquiry must utilize the specific, mandatory subject line format designated for your chosen option (Option 1–4, including the [BT or MT] degree abbreviation). Non-compliant emails will significantly delay processing.

• For General or Supplementary Questions regarding Supervision: If you have an administrative or scientific question that is not covered by the FAQ or the guidelines, please reach out via the Contact page.

Important: For general inquiries regarding supervision, you must use the exact subject line format: "Supervision / General Inquiry / [Your Name]". Non-compliant emails will significantly delay processing.