Master’s Thesis in Ageing and Social Change (one year), 15 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Course offered for

• Master's Programme in Ageing and Social Change

Entry requirements

• Bachelor's degree equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen
• At least 5 ECTS credits passed in Quantitative Methods or Statistics
• At least 5 ECTS credits passed in Social Sciences
• 22,5 ECTS credits passed from Master's Programme in Ageing and Social Change including at least 15 ECTS credits from the courses Ageing and Social Change as Interdisciplinary Social Science (7,5 ECTS credits) and Research Methods in Ageing and Social Change I (7,5 ECTS credits)
• English corresponding to the level of English in Swedish upper secondary education (Engelska 6)
  Exemption from Swedish

Intended learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student should on an advanced level be able to:

• independently identify and formulate current research questions relevant to the field of Ageing and social change 
• identify, compile and systematically describe relevant previous research in relation to the research questions
• design a research plan in order to answer the research questions within a given time frame 
• collect and analyse empirical material as well as evaluating one’s own results
• describe and apply ethical principles of the research process
• write an academic text with correct referencing, citation and usage of sources
• describe and argue for as well as present the research study 
• write and critically evaluate a research study 

Course content

During the course a written thesis within Ageing and social change is planned and carried out. The focus of the course is on independently formulated research questions and designing a research study, which includes the choice of theory and methodology. Moreover, collection of the empirical data, analysis and evaluation of the data are also parts of the course. Further, relevant previous research is discussed in a systematic way and ethical aspects are applied.  

Teaching and working methods

Teaching methods used consist of independent individual study, group work and active participation in seminars online and on campus. In the course mandatory on campus periods is included. Online tutoring is an integrated part of the course. In addition, the student should conduct self-study. 

The thesis is typically written in pairs. 

Supervision time is limited. The student is entitled to supervision time during the semester in which the student is registered and conducts the master’s thesis. If there are special reasons, and if the supervision resources has not been consumed during the current semester, the course coordinator may, in consultation with the supervisor, decide to offer supervision during the next semester.

The language of instruction and examination is English. 

Examination

Students admitted to the online programme are examined online, students admitted to on campus programme are examined on campus. In addition, there are on campus weeks, where all the students are examined on campus, see note CAMPUS.

The course is examined through:

• active participation in seminars, CAMPUS, grading scale: pass/fail
• active participation in seminars, grading scale: pass/fail
• active participation in a final seminar, CAMPUS, grading scale: pass/fail
• oral opposition in group, CAMPUS, grading scale: pass/fail
• writing, presentation and defence of an independently written thesis in group, CAMPUS, grading scale: ECTS

For a passed final grade (E), a pass is required on all examinations and an E on the individual written examination. Higher grades are based on the independently written examination in group. 

Detailed information about the examination can be found in the study guide.

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