GRA 6998 Master Thesis
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APPLIES TO ACADEMIC YEAR 2016/2017 |
GRA 6998 Master Thesis
Responsible for the course
Debbie Harrison
Department
Department of Strategy
Term
According to study plan
ECTS Credits
18
Language of instruction
English
Introduction
In the course of the MSc Program all students are required to write a thesis. The thesis shall be written in groups of two students, but may upon application be written individually. The thesis work consists of thesis seminars, guidance, a thesis proposal, a preliminary thesis report, and the final thesis.
Learning outcome
The thesis work forms a process of learning where students are given the opportunity to apply knowledge in scientific research and/or survey work. The purpose is to provide the student with knowledge and skills in survey methods and/or scientifically based research. Students are expected to treat a broadly formulated problem and prepare and submit a report, which will contribute to a solution of the problem and/or provide a sound basis for decision-making within a given time and resource framework.
Prerequisites
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 spesific prerequisites and will assume that students have followed normal study progression. For double degree and exchange students, please note that equivalent courses are accepted.
Compulsory reading
Recommended reading
Course outline
Students admitted to the +1 MSc in Business and Economics or MSc in Marketing program, continuing with their major from the 4 year degree program (‘Siviløkonom’ or ‘Sivilmarkedsfører’), should write a thesis equivalent to the workload of 18 ECTS credits.
The students may a) Expand their 'sivil' thesis (new and/or unresolved issues) b) Develop their thesis into an academic article or c) Write a literature review.
The student is responsible for selecting a topic/problem area which is suitable for a thesis in the major area. The student needs to fill in a thesis registration form by September 15th, and have the topic and advisor approved by the major responsible. An oral presentation can be a part of the thesis seminar and count for a part of the grade of the preliminary thesis project.
Computer-based tools
Learning process and workload
The Schedule
Students are expected to hand in the thesis registration by September 15 in the first semester and the preliminary thesis report by January 15th in the second semester. The final thesis should be submitted no later than September 1 of your final year. An extension is only given by approval of the Dean and must be supported by relevant documentation. Read BI’s Academic Regulations carefully for more information on thesis extension and late submission.
Examination
The thesis registration form is a part of the thesis process and is graded pass/fail. The preliminary thesis report (20%) is given a grade in points by the thesis advisor. The final thesis (80%) is evaluated by the thesis advisor and an external grader. Students may be called upon to orally defend their thesis. Students will not be given a grade on their thesis unless the thesis registration and preliminary thesis report, as well as the thesis, are passed.
| Form of assessment | Weight | Group size |
| Thesis Registration Form | Pass/fail | |
| Preliminary thesis report | 20% | |
| Final master thesis | 80% | |
Specific information regarding student assessment will be provided in class. This information may be relevant to requirements for term papers or other hand-ins, and/or where class participation can be one of several components of the overall assessment. This is a course with continuous assessment (several exam components) and one final exam code. Each exam component is graded using points on a scale from 0-100. The final grade for the course is based on the aggregated mark of the course components. Each component is weighted as detailed in the course description. Students who fail to participate in one/some/all exam components will get a lower grade or may fail the course. You will find detailed information about the points system and the mapping scale in the student portal @bi. Candidates may be called in for an oral hearing as a verification/control of written assignments.
Examination code(s)
GRA69981 Thesis proposal (Thesis registration form)
GRA69982 Preliminary thesis report and the final thesis (Æ)
Examination support materials
Not applicable
Permitted examination support materials for written examinations are detailed under examination information in the student portal @bi. The section on support materials and the use of calculators and dictionaries should be paid special attention to.
Re-sit 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.
Additional information
Honour code. Academic honesty and trust are important to all of us as individuals, and are values that are integral to BI's honour code system. Students are responsible for familiarising themselves with the honour code system, to which the faculty is deeply committed. Any violation of the honour code will be dealt with in accordance with BI’s procedures for academic misconduct. Issues of academic integrity are taken seriously by everyone associated with the programmes at BI and are at the heart of the honour code. If you have any questions about your responsibilities under the honour code, please ask. The learning platform itslearning is used in the teaching of all courses at BI. All students are expected to make use of itslearning.