Bachelor Thesis, International Business Administration, 15 Credits

Contents

The course aims to develop the student's ability to independently address a problem in Business Administration. Furthermore, the course aims to provide knowledge about, and experience of how to independently plan and conduct a study in Business Administration using scientifically grounded methods. The course also aims to develop the student´s ability to critically review and assess other scientific reports. The course consists of four modules: a work seminar, the bachelor thesis, a main opposition and a side opposition. 

Expected learning outcomes

After completing this course, the student should be able to:
Knowledge and understanding

• formulate and argue for a research question within business administration, 
• develop a relevant theoretical framework, 
• choose relevant research methods considering the research question.

Skills and ability

• collect empirical material relevant to answer the research question,
• communicate the main arguments, contents and results of the thesis,
• defend the thesis at a seminar and critically examine other theses both orally and in writing,
• communicate central concepts for the course in English, both orally and in writing.

Judgement and approach

• discuss relevant ethical aspects of the research process,
• analyse empirical material consistent with the research approach,
• discuss research findings in relation to a theoretical framework, 
• draw conclusions and formulate practical recommendations, 
• discuss ethical and/or societal implications of findings and practical recommendations. 
  

Required Knowledge

90 credits completed courses whereof 60 credits in Business Administration, excluding internship courses. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6.

Form of instruction

The thesis work is largely an independent task, which means that the student's individual freedom, creativity, and personal responsibility are emphasised. It is expected that the ongoing bachelor thesis manuscript is presented and discussed with the supervisor at least three times during the course. The teaching consists of a work seminar where an oral and written review of a previous thesis is carried out. The purpose of the work seminar is partly to clarify the scope and requirements of the thesis work, and partly to train the student for the side-opposition and main opposition. The course structure is described in the department's thesis manual.

Examination modes

For the course, a three-grade scale is used: Pass with distinction (Väl godkänd, Pass (Godkänd, G) and Fail (Underkänd, U). Grades on the course are awarded when students have passed all examinations and compulsory course elements. To obtain the grade Pass with Distinction, all examinations must be passed, and Pass with Distinction must be achieved on the Bachelor thesis. 

For the grade to be registered in ladok, an archive copy of the thesis must be registered in DiVA. Examinations take place during specified periods of the semester.

Work seminar (1 credit) is examined through seminar participation and delivery of written material. The work seminar is graded as Pass or Fail.

Bachelor thesis (12 credits) is examined through the writing and defence of an independent work. The defence cannot take place until the student has passed the work seminar. The Bachelor thesis is graded as Pass with distinction (Väl godkänd, Pass (Godkänd) or Fail (Underkänd, U). The thesis is assessed and graded by a grading teacher and an examiner, while an individual assessment of the defence is made by the supervisor at the seminar. 

Main opposition (1 credit) is examined through an oral and written main opposition on another bachelor thesis. The written main opposition is an individual examination. The main oppoisition is grades as Pass (Godkänd) or Fail (Underkänd, U). 

Side-opposition (1 credit) is examined through an written individual side-opposition on another bachelor thesis and active participation in the relevant thesis seminar. The written side-opposition is an individual examination. The side-opposition is graded as Pass (Godkänd) or Fail (Underkänd).

Other regulations

The thesis course is a campus course, which implies physical presence for supervision, participation in seminars, and collaboration with a thesis partner. Supervision is only guaranteed during the first semester the student is registered for the course.

The scope of the bachelor thesis is usually between 40 and 60 pages. The thesis is jointly written by two or three students. If there are special reasons, the course responsible may decide that the thesis can be written individually. It is not possible for students who jointly write a thesis, to be registered for different types of theses (e.g. one student writing a bachelor's and the other a master's thesis).

The supervisor must be given access to all material during the course. The empirical data used must be available to the supervisor, main opponent, grading teacher and examiner in its complete form (raw data).

This document has been translated from Swedish into English. If the English version differs from the original, the Swedish version takes precedence.

Adaptations
Examiners may decide to deviate from the modes of assessment in the course syllabus. Individual adaptation of modes of assessment must give due consideration to the student's needs. The adaptation of modes of assessment must remain within the framework of the intended learning outcomes in the course syllabus. Students who require an adapted examination - and have received a decision on the right to support from the coordinator at the Student Services Office for students with disabilities - must submit a request to the department holding the course no later than 10 days before the examination. The examiner decides on the adaptation of the examination, after which the student will be notified.

Academic integrity and cheating
As a student, you are expected to act with academic integrity. This means writing and presenting within the limits of the academic rules and expectations communicated in the university's regulations and what is otherwise specified by the responsible department. Disciplinary action may be taken against students who use unauthorized help aids or in some other way try to mislead on a test or on another type of task for examination. Rules and regulations concerning the production of academic texts and correct referencing will be applicable to written assignments. Submitted material may be subject to plagiarism control. In addition, Umeå University rules and regulations for education and research apply.

Transfer of credits:
Student who considers themselves to possess knowledge from previous relevant studies or professional or vocational experience that can be comparable to a course or part of a course, can apply for transfer of credits. Approved transfer of credits means that the student does not need to take the or those parts of the course that the decision covers. Information about transfer of credits can be found on Umeå University's web site.