MAEMP5900 Master Thesis Course description

Language of instruction: Norwegian/English

Under supervision, the students will conduct an independent research or development project, or a literaturestudy. Students can choose to write the master’s thesis individually or in pairs. On application, large, interdisciplinary innovation projects can be written in groups of up to four students. Students can also apply to write the master’s thesis with students from other specialisations if they so wish, provided that the scope of the master’s thesis is the same. If more than one student work on the master’s thesis together, each student’s contributions must be documented. The thesis can be written as a monograph or as a scientific article on a specialised topic.

Development of the project description in preparation for the master’s thesis is part of the course MAVIT4070 Research Design and Project Description, 10 ECTS credits.

MAVIT4070/MAxxx4070 must be passed before the student can start to work on the master's thesis.

All compulsory courses in the programme must be passed before the student can submit their master's thesis for assessment.

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

Knowledge

The student

• has advanced knowledge of their area of specialisation and can analyse academic problems to identify the need for research and professional development
• has in-depth knowledge of the research process

Skills

The student

• can analyse relevant theories and issues to initiate and carry out a limited research, quality improvement or development work
• can use relevant methods for research, quality improvement or development work in their own work
• can analyse and deal critically with various sources of information and use them in scholarly arguments in their own research, quality improvement or development work
• can carry out an independent, limited research, quality improvement or development work in accordance with the approved project description and the applicable norms for research ethics

General competence

The student

• can communicate relevant issues, analyses and conclusions from their own research, quality improvement or development work to both the general public and academia
• can contribute to new thinking, innovation processes and evidence-based practice in the health services and in health-promoting work

Work and teaching methods used in the course are self-study, three to six master’s seminars with presentations, and an offer of 20 hours’ supervision per thesis, regardless of whether it is written individually or in a group.

The seminars are an arena for sharing experience from all stages of the project work. Students will take part in academic discussion and practise structuring and wording academic argumentation and communicating constructive criticism. Presenting their work, giving feedback to fellow students, and receiving feedback from fellow students and teachers, are important parts of the seminars.

The supervision agreement is signed by the students and supervisors at the start of the supervision.

When a group of students work together, an overview of each student’s individual contribution must be enclosed with the assignment.

The student must have been admitted to the Master’s Programme in Health Sciences.

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 analyse current theories, examination methods and exercise/rehabilitation measures intended to improve/maintain health and physical function
• can assess relevant exercise principles and theories related to components, frequency, intensity, type and duration
• can describe the body’s structure and function considering the preconditions for physical activity and exercise
• can assess which factors can impede or promote physical activity and exercise
• can analyse and assess theory, concepts and problems related to the advisory role in physical activity and exercise
• can interpret basic scientific methodology and critically assess the use of sources

Skills

The student

• can assess and test physical condition and functioning using relevant assessment methods
• can identify persons with clinical conditions who require special consideration when exercising and being tested
• can adapt different exercise programmes individually and in groups for persons with various levels of functioning and health condition, based on the user’s wishes and needs, current research/guidelines and own clinical experience (evidence-based practice)
• can critically assess and implement research-based and experience-based knowledge considering contextual factors and individual preferences

General competence

The student

• can integrate knowledge and skills from relevant disciplines and professions in a common perspective on physical activity, exercise and rehabilitation

The course will use varied, student-active work methods. Work methods include flipped classroom, seminars with group work that will include round-table discussions, presentations and discussions. Lectures will be in both traditional and digital form. The course assumes a high degree of self-study and supervision on assignments. Skills training also forms part of the course, where the students will be taught how to determine the dosing of exercise.

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

• a minimum of 80% attendance in group supervision and seminars where students present their assignments
• an individual written and oral presentation of an individually-adapted exercise programme with appropriate dosage for an older adult.

Individual home examination over three weeks, including a description of an exercise program for an elderly person with reduced function. Scope: 2,500 words (+/- 10 %).

If the course is taught in English, students who wish to do so can answer the exam in Norwegian.