Learning outcome

After successfully completing the course, the candidate will have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence.

The candidate can:

• Apply knowledge within the fields of scientific theory, research methodology and research ethics when undertaking work on his/her Master’s thesis that is in accordance with scientific and ethical requirements

Course Description

The course includes:

- Methodology seminars

- Work on the Master’s thesis

Teaching and Learning Methods

Students are entitled to supervision for their Master’s thesis. The Master’s thesis may be completed individually or in pairs. Students are entitled to up to 12 hours of individual supervision. If two students work together, they are entitled up to 18 hours of supervision in total. A mutually binding agreement will be drafted at the beginning of the supervision describing how the supervision will be carried out.

Students will be offered up to 4 methodology seminars of up to 1 week’s duration in this course. Attendance at the seminars is not compulsory.

Full-time students will take course 5 in their 3^rd and 4^th semesters. Part-time students will be given the opportunity of using four semesters (3^rd – 6^th semesters) for course 5. Part-time students may, in consultation with their supervisor, determine in which year it is appropriate to attend seminars in methodology specialization.

Assessment Methods

Course code: 981-E5: Master’s Thesis

Students will prepare and submit a Master’s thesis of 80-100 pages. If two students work together, the thesis should comprise 130-150 pages. The summary, table of contents, bibliography and appendices are not included in the specified number of pages.

A committee consisting of an external and an internal examiner will assess the Master’s thesis and assign a lettered grade, which may be adjusted after the oral examination. The thesis must be awarded a passing grade before the student will be allowed to take the oral examination. The primary basis for the grade is the written thesis. The oral examination must also be awarded a passing grade for the Master’s thesis as a whole to gain a passing grade. The supervisor will organise the oral examination, but is not included in the committee.

An overall grade is given for the Master’s thesis and the oral examination (A – F). The grade will be entered separately on the diploma. Students who are given a failing grade will be given one opportunity to re-submit a revised version of their thesis.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean