MAFAR5900 Master´s Thesis Course description

The following coursework requirements must have been approved for the student to take the exam:

• Submit an individual, written paper of 5 pages (+/- 10 percent). Font and font size: Calibri 12 pt. Line spacing: 1,5. The paper is based on a selected question from a list of questions.

The aim of the coursework requirement is to get training in academic writing with feedback from teachers. The writing training should provide better insight into the use of theory and the theory's relevance to practice.

All required coursework must be completed and approved by the given deadline for the student to take the exam. If the coursework requirements have not been approved, the student will be given one opportunity to submit an improved version by a given deadline.

Students must have passed all exams in the first year of study before they can begin the course.

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 acquire advanced knowledge in the subject area of the master’s thesis from relevant research and specialist literature
• can explain the theoretical basis for the topic of the master’s thesis and for the methods included in the work
• can critically evaluate previous research, existing theory and methods that form the basis for the research questions in the master’s thesis
• can assess previous research as a basis for critically evaluating own results

Skills

The student 

• can develop a project description for the master’s degree project under supervision and in line with research methods
• can carry out an independent, limited research or development project under supervision and in accordance with applicable standards of research ethics
• can explore methods, calculations, analyses and examinations of relevance to the master’s thesis in an independent manner
• can quality assure his/her own work
• can present results in a scientific manner and discuss these in relation to previous research

General competence

The student

• can apply research methods to new and unknown disciplines and formulate new research questions
• can carry out critical analyses of and combine knowledge from different sources
• can communicate an extensive independent work, both orally and in writing, in relation to applicable conventions for scientific reporting 
• can communicate research results to both specialists and the general public
• can identify and discuss ethical issues in research in accordance with applicable laws and international conventions

Grade scale A-F.

The exams are assessed by one internal and one external examiner.

At least 25% of the exam papers will be assessed by two examiners. The grades awarded for the papers assessed by two examiners form the basis for determining the level for all the exam papers.

Randi Wærdahl and Wenche Bekken

For those who take this course as an elective, it is recommended that students have SSA4000 Social Work Theories from Department of Social Work, Child Welfare and Social Policy, or similar course from somewhere else, which provides a basis for applying different theories and perspectives in the analysis of social issues.

Grade scale A-F 

All the exams are assessed by an external and an internal examiner.