ACIT5910 Master's Thesis, Phase 1 Course description

Phase 1 (MT-1) of the master's thesis lays the foundation for conducting a successful master project and writing the master's thesis. In this phase, you will study the relevant literature, map out the area of your master project, find and formulate problem statement and research questions, and plan the research you will conduct in your master project.

In addition, there will be a series of workshops on the academic writing and effective communication of the thesis project. Students will develop an awareness of the conventions of academic writing and the writing process and use a range of analytical tools and methods to develop their writing and writing practices as part of writing their thesis.

Phase 2 (MT-2) is dedicated to the continued development of the master's project work, for example, planning and implementation of the methdology, development, data collection and analysis. The precise nature and status of the work will be dependant on the specific project. 

In addition, there will be a series of workshops on the academic writing and effective communication of the thesis project, building on the workshops in Phase 1. Students will develop an awareness of the conventions of academic writing and the writing process and use a range of analytical tools and methods to develop their writing and writing practices as part of writing their thesis.

Master's Thesis, Long - MT1 (Phase 1) must have been passed before the student can start work with MT2.

Each student is appointed a supervisor when starting MT1. The work is carried out under the guidance of the appointed supervisor.

In addition to the project work, there will be a series of working during which students will be provided with a range of analytical tools and methods to help develop their writing skills. Students will also receive formative feedback on draft versions of their texts from the course instructor and their peers.;

Phase 2 is dedicated to the continued development of the master's project work, for example, planning and implementation of the methdology, development, data collection and analysis. The precise nature and status of the work will be dependant on the specific project.

In addition, there will be a series of workshops on the academic writing and effective communication of the thesis project, building on the workshops in Phase 1. Students will develop an awareness of the conventions of academic writing and the writing process and use a range of analytical tools and methods to develop their writing and writing practices as part of writing their thesis.Guildeline for master's theses at the Faculty can be found here: Retningslinjer for masteroppgaver ved Fakultet for teknologi, kunst og design - Student - minside (oslomet.no)

The following required coursework must be approved before the student can take the exam: 

• Five assignments composed of the following: search for information, find vulnerabilities in virtual servers, scan/attack virtual machines, find attack patterns, competitive exercises (capture the flag, red-blue-teaming). Assignments may need presence or collaboration with other students on campus. 
• Participation in a round of hacking or defense-attack competition and a written report based on the activity  

The project plan, literature study, problem statement and research questions from Phase 1 forms the basis for Phase 2. The work is carried out under the guidance of the supervisor appointed at the start of Phase 1.

In addition to the project work, there will be a series of online, asynchronous classes during which students will be provided with a range of analytical tools and methods to help develop their writing skills. Students will also receive formative feedback on draft versions of their texts from the course instructor and their peers, with a focus on the Phase 2 report.

All aids are permitted, provided the rules for plagiarism and source referencing are complied with.

The course consists of lectures, assignments, group consultations, presentation seminars, and project work. In the seminars, students will read papers, present, and also actively participate in other presentations. This will facilitate research-oriented education in the field. Research projects will be aimed at cultivating the students towards good future researchers.

Two internal examiners. External examiners are used regularly.