Master’s Thesis in Science for Sustainable Development, 30 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Course offered for

• Master´s Programme in Science for Sustainable Development

Entry requirements

• Bachelor's degree equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen in one of the following areas: 
  - natural sciences, 
  - social sciences, 
  - humanities or
  - engineering
• 15 ECTS credits passed in Environmental Sciences, Sustainable Development or equivalent
• English corresponding to the level of English in Swedish upper secondary education (Engelska 6)
  Exemption from Swedish
• 75 ECTS credits from the programme including the course Designing environmental studies, 7,5 ECTS credits

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:
- write a scientific report in English on an approved topic in Sustainable Development, reporting and analysing the findings of original research, and demonstrating deep knowledge and mastery of the topic;
- defend and discuss the scientific report,
- formulate a research problem, a hypothesis and specific research questions;
- review relevant literature;
- design a research method to examine the specified problem;
- conduct original research.

Course content

The course covers the following areas:
- formulation of a research problem, a hypothesis and specific research questions;
- literature review;
- research design;
- conduct of research;
- preparation and presentation of research findings;
- defence and opposition at a seminar.

Teaching and working methods

The main form of teaching is supervision of the thesis work, complemented with work-in-progress seminars conducted to provide the student with review by staff and fellow students.
Before the acutal thesis work starts, the student is provided with a guide regarding the formal requirements for the thesis. After an initial work plan has been agreed upon, a time schedule for the work is determined. This will include information about period(s) for field work, presentation of drafts and date for the submission of the thesis.
Language of tuition: English.

Examination

Examination is based on the written thesis, presentation and defence of the thesis, opposition on another student’s thesis, and active participation in compulsory seminars.

Grades

Other information

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. 

The course is carried out in such a way that both men´s and women´s experience and knowledge is made visible and developed.

If special circumstances prevail, the vice-chancellor may in a special decision specify the preconditions for temporary deviations from this course syllabus, and delegate the right to take such decisions.

Department