Master 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
• 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)
• 67.5 credits passed from semesters 1, 2, and 3 within the program including the courses Critical Perspectives on Sustainable Development (7.5 credits), Environmental and Resource Use Challenges (7.5 credits), and Designing Environmental Studies in Sustainable Development (7.5 credits).
  Exemption from Swedish

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

The course is examined by: 

• individual written thesis, grading scale: EC
• individual written thesis disposition, grading scale: EC (P/F)
• active participation in seminars, oral presentation and defence of your own thesis, opposition to another student's thesis, grading scale: EC (P/F)

For Pass (E) as final grade, Pass is required on all elements. Higher grades are based on the individual written thesis.

If special circumstances prevail, and if it is possible with consideration of the nature of the compulsory component, the examiner may decide to replace the compulsory component with another equivalent component.

If the LiU coordinator for students with disabilities has granted a student the right to an adapted examination for a written examination in an examination hall, the student has the right to it.

If the coordinator has recommended for the student an adapted examination or alternative form of examination, the examiner may grant this if the examiner assesses that it is possible, based on consideration of the course objectives.

An examiner may also decide that an adapted examination or alternative form of examination if the examiner assessed that special circumstances prevail, and the examiner assesses that it is possible while maintaining the objectives of the course.

Students failing an exam covering either the entire course or part of the course twice are entitled to have a new examiner appointed for the reexamination.

Students who have passed an examination may not retake it in order to improve their grades.

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 conducted in such a way that there are equal opportunities with regard to sex, transgender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion or other belief, disability, sexual orientation and age.

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