STRÅL6200 Thesis Course description

Students will study research and development work in the field of radiotherapy. The purpose of the thesis is for the students to develop their ability to work systematically towards a goal using scientific work methods to elucidate a research question.

The students must choose a relevant research question themselves, and initiate and carry out independent project work. Projects in radiotherapy departments often take the form of collaborative assignments. The thesis must therefore be written as a group assignment, so that the students further develop their collaborative skills.

Scope of the course: 10 credits

• Research methods: 2 credits
• Thesis: 8 credits

STRÅL6020 must be approved before the student can take the exam in the course STRÅL6200

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and competence:

Knowledge

The student

• has knowledge of scientific methods and work methods
• has knowledge of guidelines for research ethics
• has broad knowledge of new research relating to the topic of the thesis

Skills

The student

• is capable of defining and developing a research question and project description
• is capable of making and justifying choices of method in relation to the chosen research question
• is capable of obtaining, analysing and taking a critical approach to different sources of information
• is capable of planning and carrying out a scientific project
• is capable of structuring theory, method, discussion and a conclusion into a scholarly text

Competence

The student

• is capable of critically reflecting on questions relating to research ethics
• is capable of communicating and discussing issues, analyses and conclusions of research results in the field of radiotherapy
• is capable of communicating, discussing and critically assessing the results of their own project work
• is capable of applying their knowledge to new areas to carry out tasks and projects, and contribute new ideas to further develop the field

The work and teaching methods consist of seminars, self-study and project work. The thesis is normally carried out as a project in groups of two to five students. Each group will receive up to ten hours’ supervision in connection with the thesis.

The following required coursework must be approved before the student can take the exam:

• minimum 80 per cent attendance at seminars

Exam content: Learning outcomes

Exam form: Written assignment in groups of 2-5 students and individual oral exam lasting up to 30 min.

The assignment must have a scope of approx. 7,500 words

One overall grade is awarded. Students will only be allowed to take the oral exam if the written assignment is awarded a pass grade (A-E). The whole grade scale (A-F) can be used when the overall grade is set.

Students can appeal the grade awarded for the written part of the exam.

All aids are permitted for the written part of the exam. The students will receive a copy of their own thesis at the oral exam.

Grade scale A-F.

All the exam papers will be assessed by an external and an internal examiner.