MECH5900 Master thesis Emneplan

The master's thesis is an independent research project where the students employ the knowledge, skills, and competence they have acquired during the study program.

The student will have access to advanced simulation software (e.g., ABAQUS, ANSYS), programming software (e.g., Python) and laboratory to perform analyses and to conduct experiments.

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 theoretical or empirical nature.

All courses must be passed before the written master's thesis can be assessed and the oral presentation conducted.

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

Knowledge

The candidate

• can identify the main scholarly theories, models and methods related to the master’s project
• can explain the scholarly theories and methods of relevance to the topic of the project, and apply it to new areas within the academic field of mechanical engineering
• can determine how different solutions will affect the products life cycle, environmental impact, and sustainability.
• can explain the structure and content of scientific articles and dissertations 
• can assess research ethical issues related to one’s own project 

Skills

The candidate

• can define and limit an academic problem that is addressed through investigation
• can analyze and evaluate various sources of information and use them to structure and formulate the problem covered by the thesis
• can find relevant information in technical and scientific literature
• can analyze existing theories, methods, and research literature on practical and theoretical problems related to the thesis
• can use relevant methods for research and development work in an independent manner

General competence

The candidate:

• can evaluate research literature critically
• can evaluate issues related to research ethics in connection with the master’s project
• can communicate their own research results in both oral and written form
• can apply research-based knowledge and skills in the work on advanced tasks and projects
• can analyze technological issues and contribute to sustainable and innovative solutions
• can conduct independent research work under supervision in accordance with scientific method and applicable norms for research ethics
• can contribute to new thinking and innovation processes and reflect about the role and responsibility as an engineer in working towards sustainable development 

The master’s thesis is an independent research project with supervision. The students will be offered a minimum of 30 hours of individual 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.

None

The scope of a master's thesis is normally 30-80 pages, not including references. The thesis must be written in 12 points font, line spacing: 1.5. This report counts 70 % of the final grade.

The scope is discussed and agreed in more detail with the supervisor.

Individual oral presentations (10-20 minutes) will be given during the defense of the thesis. This will be followed by an oral examination with examiners (30 minutes). This presentation counts for 30 % of the final grade.

Students who are given a fail grade on the master’s thesis are allowed to submit one new or revised thesis.

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

Graded scale A-F

One internal and one external examiner assess the thesis. The supervisor is not a part of the grading.