GRA 1970 Master thesis
GRA 1970 Master thesis
| Course code | Semester |
|---|---|
GRA 1971 | 2023 Autumn |
GRA 1972 | 2024 Spring |
GRA 1973 | 2024 Autumn |
GRA 1974 | 2025 Spring |
This is the course description for master thesis for students admitted to a MSc programme autumn 2017 and later. If you are a student admitted before autumn 2017, please see the course description for GRA 1950.
All students are required by Norwegian regulations (Masterforskriften Section 6) to write a master thesis as a part of their MSc programme. The thesis must be the equivalent of 30 ECTS, and should be written in groups of 2 students.
The master thesis process, requires the students to apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired during their MSc studies by conducting a research task.
Through the master thesis process, students are given the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired during their MSc studies in conducting a scientifically-based research task.
The objective of the master thesis is to have the student
- define and limit a problem within their field of investigation and study,
- collect and analyze data based on the problem identified
- apply the relevant methods and theories to answer the problem defined
- present a well-argued conclusion
Students must write a master thesis within their major field of study.
All students must write a master thesis within their major field of study. For MSc in Business students, this refers to the major that the student is studying.
Given that differences exist between academic fields in terms of how research is performed, students must refer to the prevailing norms/framework for their field of study when developing their master thesis. They should seek advice from their supervisor regarding this, if necessary.
At the end of the master thesis process, students should demonstrate that they have in-depth knowledge of the theories and methods used in their field of study.
They should also demonstrate the capability to perform a piece of independent research at MSc level, from study design to learning how to analyse the specifically collected primary and secondary data.
In the master thesis project, the student should demonstrate their analytical skills through
- formulating a clear research question
- the ability to use methodology relevant to the research question, taking into consideration existing contraints such as time/availability of data/standards of protection
- the use of different sources of information and to use these in structured way that clearly articulate academic arguments
- the ability to analyse/interpret collected data effectively and to interpret the result critically
- proficiency in academic writing, and communicate research results
Through the process of writing a master thesis, the students should demonstrate the capability to use a holistic view in order to
- critically, independently and creatively identify, formulate and deal with complex issues in an independent manner and within the norms of university level research ethics
- to reflect on what we can know through scientific investigation and the limits of research
- evaluate the quality of research in their own field
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Students are expected to work with their thesis for the duration of the programme, and to develop the thesis through different activities such as
- Thesis seminars - up to 10 hours
- Supervision – up to 10 hours per group
- Methodology courses
- Other activities organized by their programme/major to support the process
In order to get the master thesis accepted and evaluated, the following must be submitted during the process:
- Request for supervisor
- Thesis Proposal
- Preliminary thesis report
- Final Thesis
For further information about the activities to support the development of a master thesis, about the elements to submit, and relevant dates, please see:
https://portal.bi.no/en/examination/assignment-thesis/master-thesis/
Master thesis organisation/structure/content/supervision
How you should structure your thesis must always be aligned with the norms of the field of study you are writing a master thesis in, and thus must be discussed with your supervisor/Associate Dean/Academic Coordinator. A plan for supervision must be agreed and updated throughout the thesis process in coordination with your supervisor.
The thesis is normally written in groups of two students, and must be written in English. Any student who wants to write the thesis alone, must contact the student administration for advice on the correct application procedure. (This is only permitted in specific, limited circumstances). Students in MSc Law and Business can choose to write the thesis either in Norwegian or English.
All parts of the assessment must be passed in order to get a grade in the course.
Resit examination
In case of “Fail”, the student may: 1) write a new thesis, or 2) rewrite the thesis and attain a maximum grade of E.
If you choose to write a new thesis, a full tuition fee for a whole semester will be charged.
If you choose to rewrite your thesis, the ordinary retake fees will apply.
Please see Academic regulations for further information.
All courses in the Masters programme will assume that students have fulfilled the admission requirements for the programme. In addition, courses in second, third and/or fourth semester can have specific prerequisites and will assume that students have followed normal study progression. For double degree and exchange students, please note that equivalent courses are accepted.
Disclaimer
Deviations in teaching and exams may occur if external conditions or unforeseen events call for this.
| Assessments |
|---|
Exam category: Submission Form of assessment: Written submission Grouping: Group/Individual (1 - 2) Duration: 1 Semester(s) Comment: Thesis proposal (2-3 pages) Exam code: GRA 19701 Grading scale: Pass/fail |
Exam category: Submission Form of assessment: Written submission Grouping: Group/Individual (1 - 2) Duration: 1 Semester(s) Comment: Preliminary thesis report An oral presentation may be expected as part of assessing the preliminary thesis report. Exam code: GRA 19702 Grading scale: Pass/fail |
Exam category: Submission Form of assessment: Written submission Weight: 100 Grouping: Group/Individual (1 - 2) Duration: 1 Semester(s) Comment: Final Thesis In case of “Fail”, the student may: 1) write a new thesis, or 2) rewrite the thesis and attain a maximum grade of E. If you choose to write a new thesis, a full tuition fee for a whole semester will be charged. If you choose to rewrite your thesis, the ordinary retake fees will apply. Please see Academic regulations for further information. Exam code: GRA 19703 Grading scale: ECTS |
All exams must be passed to get a grade in this course.
A course of 1 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of 26-30 hours. Therefore a course of 30 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of at least 800 hours.