EPN

TAB3900 Bachelor’s Thesis Course description

Course name in Norwegian
Bacheloroppgave
Study programme
Bachelorstudium i tannteknikk
Weight
15.0 ECTS
Year of study
2021/2022
Schedule
Programme description
Course history

Introduction

The course comprises planning, implementation and documentation of an empirically based project based on a topic of their own choice of relevance to the professional practice of dental technicians. The student will take responsibility for their own knowledge development through literature searches, testing of scientific methods, supervision and cooperation with fellow students in the project group. Through this work, the student will gain experience of studying a delimited area in depth, and will have the possibility to develop skills and knowledge required to be able to cooperate in groups that aim to contribute to developing the discipline. The bachelor’s thesis must demonstrate that the student is capable of disseminating evidence-based results, updating their knowledge in a professional context and critically analyse their own performance in light of general principles for research and development work.

The course is divided into two periods. The first part comprises approx. two weeks at the start of the sixth semester to develop and submit the project description. The second part of the course, writing the project, takes place over the course of approx. nine weeks in the last part of the semester. Detailed guidelines for the bachelor’s thesis will be published on the university's learning platform.

Required preliminary courses

Passed first and second year of the programme or equivalent 

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence: 

Knowledge 

The student can

  • discuss theory and results from up-to-date research relating to the topic of the bachelor's thesis
  • update his/her dental technology knowledge and action competence in accordance with evidence-based practice

Skills 

The student can 

  • write a project description that specifies the topic, relevant research question and schedule for the completion of the bachelor's degree project
  • describe and explain the choice of professional topic, research question and research design based on philosophy of science and methodology literature
  • carry out systematic literature searches and use relevant professional research and subject matter in a way that meets the general academic guidelines
  • carry out the project in accordance with scientific criteria and guidelines for research ethics and data protection
  • answer the research question in a clear conclusion based on the presentation of empirical material, and make active use of empirical data and theory when discussing the research issue/questions
  • present the project in writing and orally using precise academic terminology and reliability

General competence

The student can 

  • criticise the self-chosen research design related to the in-depth topic of the bachelor thesis
  • demonstrate a professional attitude to research and development work
  • present important subject matter and exchange points of view and experience with others in the field of odontology and in this way contribute to developing good practice and innovative thinking
  • discuss general professional principles and challenges based on critical assessment of sources
  • assess relevant academic and professional ethics issues

Teaching and learning methods

The work and teaching methods include seminars, self-study and team-based learning in groups related to the systematic problem-solving process and project cooperation. During the course, the students will receive up to five hours of supervision per project assignment. The project supervision is given in connection with the development of an exam outline and the selection of a topic, research question and research design, and in relation to methodology, data processing and overall thesis structure.

Course requirements

The following must have been approved in order for the student to take the exam: 

  • a minimum attendance of 80 % in seminars, scheduled group work and project supervision
  • project description in accordance with set criteria. The project description must be approved before work on the project can begin to ensure the bachelor thesis’ academic relevance and methodological feasibility.

Assessment

Part 1) Written bachelor assignment in groups of 2-3 students, 7,000 words (+/- 10 per cent)

Part 2) Oral group presentation with individual assessment on the bachelor's project, up to 30 minutes per group.

A pass grade (A-E) must have been awarded for the written exam (part 1) before the students can take the oral exam (part 2). A preliminary grade is awarded for the written exam. An individual grade is awarded after the oral exam based on the student’s academic contribution and understanding. The grade can be adjusted up or down by up to one grade.

Students can appeal the grade awarded for the written part of the exam. If the grade for the written thesis is changed, the student will have to take the oral exam again.

Resits/rescheduled exam: If a fail grade (F) is awarded for the written work (part 1) the student has the right to submit a reworked version once. If the oral presentation is awarded an F, the student must take the oral exam again.

Permitted exam materials and equipment

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.

Grading scale

Grade scale A-F

Examiners

Part 1) Each exam is assessed by one internal and one external examiner.

Part 2) The oral exam is assessed by one internal and one external examiner

Overlapping courses

15 credits overlap with the course TANN3900.