EPN

ENT5900 Master's thesis Emneplan

Engelsk emnenavn
Master's thesis
Studieprogram
Masterstudium i entreprenørskap
Omfang
30.0 stp.
Studieår
2022/2023
Timeplan
Emnehistorikk

Innledning

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 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 or an article manuscript. 

Forkunnskapskrav

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

Læringsutbytte

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 professional, professional and research ethics 

  • disseminate knowledge and their own research results 

  • apply research-based knowledge and skills in the work on the master's thesis 

Arbeids- og undervisningsformer

The students will receive 10 hours of individual or group-based supervision. This supervision helps students to acquire the necessary knowledge and assures the quality of the collection and processing of data and their compliance with research ethics. 

A startup meeting is held at which students must submit a project description for their master's thesis. Each group of students is then assigned an academic supervisor. However, it is not uncommon for students to have been in contact with one or more potential supervisor while preparing the project description in the third semester. 

Arbeidskrav og obligatoriske aktiviteter

The following coursework requirements must have been approved before the student may take the exam: 

  • A project plan of 10 pages (+/- 10 per cent) must be approved before work on the master’s thesis begins in the fourth semester. The project plan must describe the research question and the plan for the thesis. It also forms the basis for the assignment of an academic supervisor. If the project plan is not approved, students will be given one opportunity to submit an improved version.

Vurdering og eksamen

The scope of a master's thesis is normally a maximum of 100 pages. For students who have been granted permission to write an individual thesis, a maximum of 80 pages is normal. The thesis must be written in Arial or Calibri, 12 points. Line spacing: 1.5. All references must follow APA guidelines. The scope is discussed and agreed in more detail with the supervisor. For theses with a large quantitative analysis component, the number of pages may be less important. 

Students who are awarded a fail grade are allowed to submit one new or revised master’s thesis. Students who fail the ordinary exam may be given one hour of academic supervision subject to agreement with the supervisor.

Hjelpemidler ved eksamen

All aids are permitted as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with. 

Vurderingsuttrykk

Grade scale A–F. 

Sensorordning

One internal and one external examiner assess the thesis.