ENT5900 Master's thesis Course description

The master's thesis is a final independent, limited research project that shall be based on the knowledge, skills and competence the student has acquired during the programme. Preparations for work on the master's thesis should begin at an early stage of the programme but is attended to mostly in the fourth semester. The master's thesis is an independent project in groups of two-three students. Students may be allowed, on application, to write an individual thesis.

The master's thesis should be an analytical work with relevance to the subject areas in the programme. The students must choose a topic that will be highlighted through systematic use of qualitative and/or quantitative methodologies. The research question can be of either a theoretical or an empirical nature. The master's thesis is submitted in the form of a monograph.

Language of instruction is Norwegian and English.

All compulsory courses included in the master's degree and all three elective courses - total 90 ECTS - must be passed before the student may submit the master's thesis for assessment.

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

Knowledge

The student has

• advanced knowledge of a specialised field in the area of entrepreneurship
• in-depth knowledge of theories relevant to the topic of the master's thesis
• in-depth insight into a topic or phenomenon seen from different perspectives
• in-depth knowledge, and application of academic requirements for analysis and written production

Skills

The student is capable of

• delimiting a larger topic or phenomenon and making it the subject of research
• selecting and using one or more methods to explore the problem of the master's thesis
• developing a design for an empirical study
• analysing a data material using theoretical perspectives and concepts
• carrying out a systematic and critical analysis, applying key research principles and providing a clear academic presentation of the results
• assessing research ethics issues related to their own project

General competence

The student can

• read research literature critically and reflectively
• assess issues related to research ethics
• disseminate knowledge and their own research results
• apply research-based knowledge and skills in the work on the master's thesis

This course provides a detailed introduction to relevant chemical analysis methods and how they are used to perform chemical quality control of pharmaceutical ingredients and preparations, as well as shelf-life.

The student may lack a maximum of one passed course from the first year of study. The partial exam in drug calculations in the course FARB1400 is exempt from the progression requirement.

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 describe key pharmaceutical analysis methods, including sample preparation
• can explain the possibilities and limitations of different analysis techniques used to analyse natural products and pharmaceuticals

Skills

The student

• can select and apply methods of pharmaceutical analysis under supervision, based on knowledge of the substance’s structure and chemical properties
• can use these methods in quantitative and qualitative analysis, as well as in the chemical quality control and shelf-life control of pharmaceutical ingredients and pharmaceutical preparations
• can analyse selected pharmaceuticals in biological trials

General competence

The student

• has insight into and can select suitable equipment for analyses and handle the equipment based on specifications given

The work and teaching methods consist of lectures, seminars, group work and laboratory work. Digital learning resources, such as video lectures, are an important part of the teaching activities. Practical skills are acquired through laboratory work.

The following coursework must have been approved in order for a student to be permitted to take the exam:

• Minimum of 80% attendance at the laboratory course
• Minimum of 80% attendance in other compulsory activities
• Laboratory reports in accordance with specified criteria

Supervised individual written exam, 4 hours