EMTS3900 Bachelor Thesis Course description

The bachelor's thesis is the concluding course in the engineering programme. The students choose the topic for their theses and the work is carried out in groups. It will give students training in carrying out a large project independently and in using relevant methodology tools, and will be organised so that the students are able to use knowledge and skills from several fields.

The bachelor's thesis can be linked to assignments at OsloMet or be written in cooperation with business and industry or other institutions. It must be grounded in real engineering questions that are relevant to the chosen programme option and it can be related to design or contractor operations, orto a research or development project.

The bachelor's thesis is based on knowledge acquired through all five previous semesters.

Students must be registered in the third year of study and have completed at least 100 credits from the first and second years of study by 1 October before they can register for the bachelor's thesis.

All three-semester courses must be passed.

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

Knowledge

The student:

• has good technical knowledge relating to energy and the environment
• knows about different ways of addressing technical energy and environmental challenges
• demonstrates engineering insight and an overall system perspective and different alternative solutions
• is familiar with available literature and ongoing research and development within the problem
• is capable of applying old and new knowledge to generate new knowledge and arrive at practical overall solutions

Skills

The student is capable of:

• carrying out an engineering task and addressing a practical or research question, in an independent and systematic manner
• defining a research question, the scope and goal of the project and planning progress
• mastering appropriate methods and tools
• using relevant academic theory and literature
• describing the thesis, analysing results and discussing them to arrive at a conclusion
• clearly communicating the objective of the thesis, findings and conclusion, both orally and in writing

General competence

The student:

• masters working in a team on planning and executing a project
• demonstrates independence and initiative, creativity and innovation
• assesses technological solutions in a life-cycle/environmental, social and financial context
• analyses and quality assures results and demonstrates an ability to reflect

Project work in groups. The groups will normally consist of three students. In exceptional cases and on application, students can be permitted to write the bachelor's thesis alone.

The project work amounts to 500 hours per student and is concluded with a project report and oral presentation. The assignment of bachelor's theses is based on the guidelines applicable to the faculty and the study programme. This process begins at the end of the fourth semester and lasts until the end of the fifth semester, when information is provided about the guidelines and the groups and assignments are selected. A supervisor from the study programme will be appointed. An external partner will normally also help with supervision and follow-up.

Students are expected to plan and carry out their work in an independent manner and to keep time sheets. The report must be in writing in accordance with the faculty's procedures. Sources must be cited in the correct manner. An abstract must be written in English. A digital version of the bachelor's thesis and all appendices and supporting documents shall be submitted to the internal supervisor.

The course provides an introduction to organisation theory and how different ways of thinking in the organisation of work are linked to the development of society, from the emergence of the industrial society to today’s knowledge society. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding processes that contribute to stability and change in organisations.

Admission to the programme.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and competence:

Knowledge

The student

• has knowledge of the historical emergence of different types of labour organisations
• is familiar with the main characteristics of the Norwegian labour market
• has knowledge of internationalisation and globalisation of the labour market
• has knowledge of different perspectives on organised work
• has knowledge of what is meant by organisational structures and organisational forms and various perspectives on organisational cultures
• knowledge of what is meant by learning organisations, knowledge organisations and organisational change
• has knowledge of group processes, conflicts, power and communication in organisations
• has knowledge of values and ethical conduct in organisations

Skills

The student is capable of

• analysing, discussing and presenting key knowledge in the course
• reflecting on the results gained from group work as a work method

Competence

The student is capable of

• reflecting on how knowledge work and learning takes place in organisations and working life
• making his/her own assessments and developing lines of reasoning relating to these

Work and teaching methods used in the course are lectures, self-study and group work. The groups will work independently on different issues related to the course. The students will present their group’s work at compulsory seminars, encourage discussion and receive guidance for further work.

• Participation in group work and presentations (80%)
• Submission of three group assignments (max. 3,000 words)

The required coursework must be approved before the students can take the written home exam.