Master’s Thesis in Computational Social Science, 30 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Course offered for

• Master´s Programme in Computational Social Science

Entry requirements

• A bachelor's degree or equivalent in the humanities, social-, cultural-, behavioural-, natural-, computer-, or engineering-sciences
• English corresponding to the level of English in Swedish upper secondary education (English 6/B)
• 45 ECTS credits completed from the Master´s Programme in Computational Social Science, or equivalent

Intended learning outcomes

After completion of the course, the student should at an advanced level be able to:

• independently formulate a relevant research task in computational social science
• plan, implement and report in writing an in-depth and qualified independent work in computational social science
• demonstrate and apply in-depth subject and method knowledge in computational social science
• defend a scientific project with a scientific approach
• critically review, evaluate and discuss other scientific work

Course content

The course involves an independent project in which students design and implement a scientific study. The student will formulate a computational social science research relevant task, select a suitable method, and report the results in a written essay. 

Teaching and working methods

The teaching consists of supervision and seminars. In addition, students should exercise self-study. 

Language of instruction: English

Examination

The course is examined by:

• Active participation in seminars, UG
• Individual oral presentation, EC
• Individual oral opposition, EC
• Individually written essay, EC

 
To earn grade E as the final course grade, at least E is required for all examination parts, and G for active seminar participation.
For grade D, the student must have obtained at least D on the individually written essay, and at least G / E for the other examinations.
For grade C, the student must have obtained at least C on the individually written essay, and at least G / D for the other examinations.
For the grade B, the student must have obtained at least B on the individually written essay, and at least G / C for the other examinations.
For grade A, the student must have received A on the individually written essay, and at least G / B for other examination parts.

Detailed information on 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