MAEN5900 Master's Thesis Course description

No requirements over and above the admission requirements.

Learning outcomes

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 knowledge about

• various renewable energy sources, the difference between these and fossil fuel energy sources
• technologies used to exploit renewable energy sources for thermal energy application in buildings and for the production of electricity.
• the most important processes and components used in various renewable energy based energy conversion systems
• the environmental performance of renewable energy systems

Skills

The student is capable of

• linking renewable energy and fossil fuel with a view to achieving sustainability
• comparing environmental assessments of renewable energy systems and conventional fossil fuel systems
• carrying out simple techno-economic assessments of renewable energy systems
• carrying out necessary calculations for energy production from renewable energy sources
• dimensioning solar energy systems for heating systems and electricity production

General competence

The student is capable of:

• contributing to develop renewable energy sources in complex energy systems
• working in a project on planning, building and operation of renewable energy systems integrated in buildings
• contributing to fresh thinking and innovation processes

The master's thesis will be related to energy and environment in buildings by the student making the right choice of system and technology solutions. The thesis can promote the development of new solutions and technologies, and can be carried out either in an academic environment or in connection with business. The master's thesis should be a specialization in one or a synthesis between several of the core areas of the master's degree. After completing the master's thesis, the student has the following learning outcomes, defined as knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• has advanced knowledge of a specialised field in the area of energy and environment in buildings
• has in-depth knowledge of relevant acts and regulations on energy and environment in buildings
• has in-depth knowledge of theories of relevance to the topic of the master's thesis

Skills

The student

• is capable of using relevant scientific theories and methods in research and development projects, either in a professional context or in further studies
• is capable of critically assessing the analytical methods and simulations chosen and their limitations, and collecting data to provide a basis for the decisions to be made
• is capable of collecting data to provide a basis for the decisions to be made

• is capable of carrying out an independent, limited research or development project under supervision and in accordance with applicable research ethical standards
• is capable of formulating arguments in the field

General competence

The student

• has an understanding of the importance of the indoor and outdoors environment to people's everyday lives
• know how scientifically based knowledge can be applied in a systematic and critical way to map, formulate and analyze a current issue in the field.
• can obtain and interpret results from recent research literature

• can present issues in the field of study, written and oral, with a view to critical analysis of measurement data and research results
• has awareness of the following factors - how research can contribute positively to the development of society - professionalism, ethical conduct and tolerance in execution of work

None

Exam autumn 2020 due to Covid-19:

Individual digital home exam, three hours.

The exam grade can be appealed.

In the event of a resit or rescheduled individual written exam, oral examination may be used instead. If oral exams are used for resit and rescheduled exams, the result cannot be appealed

[Exam earlier:]

Individual written exam, three hours.

The exam grade can be appealed.

In the event of a resit or rescheduled individual written exam, oral examination may be used instead. If oral exams are used for resit and rescheduled exams, the result cannot be appealed

Exam spring 2021 due to Covid-19: The thesis will count 100 % of the grade.

[Exam earlier:]

Master's thesis, a written report of approx. 60 pages. Prototypes and/or other products that the student has developed can be included as part of the submission. Oral presentation of the thesis after which the examiners ask the candidate questions. The examiners will set the grade for the master's thesis after the oral presentation and query.

The report, resentation, answers and eventual prototype will be graded as one unit.

Students can complain about a given grade in accordance with § 5-3 of the Act on Universities and Colleges. In case of complaint, the written report (as well as any prototype) will be reassessed. If the grade after reassessment differs from the original, the student must retake oral presentation and questioning, and the grade can be adjusted up or down, based on the presentation and answers to questions.

Pass/Fail

One internal examiner. External examiners are used regularly.

Habtamu Bayera Madessa