Abstract:

A final degree project (TFG by its Spanish acronym) has been implemented in a newly created degree of Pharmacy at the University of Castilla-La Mancha (Spain). The new subject aims to carry out activities to ensure that students can get the second cycle educational level (MECES 3).

According to each students records, pharmacy students select a specific TFG from a pull previously designed by professors of the School of Pharmacy. Each professor proposes a TFG with a specific title accompanied by a short description of the main objectives. Once each student selects a specific TFG, the professor becomes the mentor of the student leading him to reach the aims proposed in the TFG and, in parallel, the MECES level 3 competencies.

This student-mentor framework is possible thanks to TFG procedures which include the TFG report guidelines, the TFG progress report, and the Supervisor evaluation report, among others, and evaluation criteria developed by an ad hoc committee.

To get a better insight into the potential of the TFG as a tool to aid students, a survey was conducted to gather the student’s feelings and experiences. Interestingly, the questionnaire revealed that most of the students (more than 90%) think that they have acquired a high achievement on each one of the seven MECES level 3 competencies thanks to the collaborative student-mentor work.