KJTS3900 Bachelor Thesis Course description

In this course, students will apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired throughout their studies to an independent project, preferably in collaboration with a company or public institution. They should demonstrate the ability to further develop their knowledge and skills in theoretical and/or practical scientific question. The work includes oral presentations, as well as the preparation of a written report and a poster.

Teaching language: depends on the supervisor (Norwegian or English).

The course is based on the first and second years of study in the study programme.

Students must be registered in the third year and have completed at least 100 credits from the first and second years by the 1st of October before they are assigned a topic for their bachelor's thesis.

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 is able to:

• apply and/or process knowledge in science and technology to solve biotechnological and/or chemistry-related engineering problems
• critically analyse different solution options and ensure the quality of results with respect to methodology and, where relevant, ethical standards
• evaluate and explain the principles behind the methods used in project work

Skills

The student is able to:

• translate their knowledge into practical solutions
• apply or have extensive knowledge of relevant, modern methods and possess knowledge of safe laboratory practices
• ensure the quality and analyse results obtained in a project or study using appropriate statistical tools where relevant
• document and discuss results in a way that addresses a specific issue, both in written and oral form
• gather literature and other background information relevant to the project, and write reports following standardised methods

General competence

The student is able to:

• independently and systematically carry out an engineering task involving a practical industrial or research-related problem
• work effectively both independently and in teams on the planning and execution of engineering projects
• contextualise their own work within a broader engineering framework
• communicate results both orally and in writing in Norwegian and English

The bachelor's thesis is an independent project assignment carried out by students working in groups. The thesis must address content relevant to the specific field of study. It should be method- and problem-oriented, and structured in a way that allows students to apply knowledge and skills from multiple subject areas.

The Bachelor's thesis may be conducted in collaboration with a company or a research laboratory. It may also be carried out in a laboratory at OsloMet or take the form of a literature review.

The following coursework is compulsory and must be approved before the student can sit the exam:

• one oral presentation

Assessment of the group bachelor's thesis (2-4 students) will be based on the project execution, the report, oral presentation and a poster in English:

- Part 1: The project execution and oral presentation account for 40% of the final grade. This part is assessed based on the ability to plan, progress, take initiative, demonstrate practical skills (where relevant), show sound judgement, work independently and collaborate effectively. This part of the assessment cannot be appealed.

- Part 2: The report (20-50 pages, maximum 50 pages) and the poster account for 60% of the grade and are assessed based on academic quality, clarity, structure, language and academic references. The report is usually written in Norwegian, but can be written in English if preferred. The poster must be written in English.

All parts of the exam must be passed in order to pass the course. In the case of a grade appeal, only Part 2, the report and poster, are subject to appeal.

In group work, the individual contributions of students must be specified in what is submitted. Usually, all members of the group receive the same grade, but in exceptional cases, individual grades may be assigned within the group following further assessment. In such cases, all students in the group in question will be informed that grades will be given individually before the results are published.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used for brainstorming and language editing/rewriting of text, but not for generating text directly copied into the slides or the report. Which AI tools and how they have been used must be specified in a mandatory attachment in the submission of the report. The use of AI must comply with the guidelines for the use of AI tools in the study programme (see page on Canvas for the KJM3500 course) and the guidelines at OsloMet (AI policy and guidelines for using AI in student assignments).

Grade scale A-F.

Two internal examiners. External examiners are used regularly.

Viola H. Lobert