Syllabus, Master´s thesis (two-year), Food and Nutrition, 2015-08-17

This course provides opportunities to acquire a deeper understanding and practical application of research in the field of food and nutrition. During the course, students will demonstrate their ability to independently plan, carry out and present their research on a food and nutrition related topic. This involves formulating a research problem and objectives, selecting appropriate methods, analysing data and presenting results in relation to scientific articles and other relevant literature. The course includes a final seminar where the thesis is presented and discussed.

The expected learning outcomes are consistent with the corresponding course on ground level but this course on advanced level calls for a greater degree of autonomy, and, if appropriate, more advanced analysis.

The course consists of two parts:

Project planning, data collection and initial analysis 6 credits.
Analysis and production, presentation and defense of thesis 24 credits

Expected learning outcomes

Part 1. Project planning, data collection and initial analysis, 6 hp
On successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
Skills

Identify and formulate a defined research question within the field of food and nutrition.
Plan, and carry out a data analysis in accordance with the chosen research method within a given time frame.
Analytical ability and attitude.
Choose and motivate appropriate research methods in accordance with the chosen research question within a given time frame.
Apply an ethical approach towards own research.

Part 2. Analysis, and production, presentation and defence of thesis, 24 hp.
On successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
Skills

Search, collect and integrate relevant scientific literaure in relation to own research question.
Process and analyse collected data with appropriate scientific methods.
Present results relating to own research question.
Independently produce a thesis within a given time frame and in accordance with established scientific standards for language and format.

Analytical ability and attitude

Evaluate and discuss strengths and limitations of the selected research method in relation to own research question.
Evaluate, critically interpret and discuss own research question in relation to relevant scientific literature..
Draw conclusions based on own results
Discuss gender perspective and professional relevance in relation to own results.
Apply an ethical approach towards own research.
Independently present, discuss and defend own thesis
Review, evaluate and discuss another student's thesis.

Required Knowledge

Univ: Pass grades in at least 90 ECTS in Food and Nutrition, including 15 credits thesis and at least 7.5 ECTS skill courses at advanced level or equivalent.

Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English A (IELTS (Academic) with a minimum overall score of 5.5 and no individual score below 5.0. TOEFL PBT (Paper-based Test) with a minimum total score of 530 and a minimum TWE score of 4. TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) with a minimum total score of 72 and a minimum score of 17 on the Writing Section). Where the language of instruction is Swedish, applicants must prove proficiency in Swedish to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies.

Form of instruction

Preliminary choice of subject of the thesis is made by the student in consultation with the course coordinator. Choice of research question and relevant research method/s is made by the student in consultation with the supervisor. The thesis is carried out individually with continuous supervision and mandatory participation in seminars. If students want to write together it should be discussed with the teacher acting as course coordinator.

Examination modes

Part 1. Examination is based on submission of supporting documents (a project plan and a preliminary analysis) and participation in mandatory supervision. This part of the course is graded pass (G) or fails (U).

Part 2. Examination is based on assessment of the thesis including work process, writing, presentation and defence. Also, a pass grade is required as an opponent for another thesis at the same level. This part of the course is graded pass with distinction (VG), pass (G) or fail (U).

To pass the course, pass grades must have been achieved in all the required parts of the assessment within time limits defined by the examinor. To pass the course with distinction (VG) part 2 must be graded VG.

For rules and regulations about the examination/assessment see the Universitys Code of Rules and Procedures.

Equivalency credits
The equivalence of course credits (completely or partially) can be assessed (see the Universitys Code of Rules and Procedures). An application can be made on a special form according to the Student Services directive.

Literature

Valid from: 2016 week 1

Att skriva PM/ Rapporter/ Uppsatser. Umeå: Institutionen för kostvetenskap
Senaste versionen :
Mandatory

Backman Jarl
Rapporter och uppsatser
2., uppdaterade [och utök.]. uppl. : Lund : Studentlitteratur : 2008 : 223 s. :
ISBN: 978-91-44-04826-0
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Introduktion till forskningsmetodik
Bell Judith, Nilsson Björn
4., [uppdaterade] uppl. : Lund : Studentlitteratur : 2006 : 265 s. :
ISBN: 91-44-04645-6 och 978-91-44-04645-7
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Seminarieboken : att skriva, presentera och opponera
Björklund Maria, Paulsson Ulf
2. uppl. : Lund : Studentlitteratur : 2012 : 147 s. :
ISBN: 978-91-44-05985-3
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Samhällsvetenskapliga metoder
Bryman Alan, Nilsson Björn
2., [rev.] uppl. : Malmö : Liber : 2011 : 690 s. :
ISBN: 978-91-47-09068-6
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Forsman Birgitta
Forskningsetik : en introduktion
Lund : Studentlitteratur : 1997 : 138 s. :
ISBN: 91-44-00484-2
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Från tanke till text : en språkhandbok för uppsatsskrivande studenter
Jarrick Arne, Josephson Olle
2., [översedda] uppl. : Lund : Studentlitteratur : 1996 : 133 s. :
ISBN: 91-44-26842-4 ; 240:00
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Strömquist Siv
Uppsatshandboken : råd och regler för utformningen av examensarbeten och vetenskapliga uppsatser
6., [utök., uppdaterade och förtydligade] uppl. : Uppsala : Hallgren & Fallgren : 2014 : 142 s. :
ISBN: 9789173828710
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Schött Kristina
Studentens skrivhandbok
3. [bearb.] uppl. : Stockholm : Liber : 2015 : 185 s. :
ISBN: 9789147114085
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Trost Jan
Att vara opponent
2., [uppdaterade] uppl. : Lund : Studentlitteratur : 2013 : 66 s. :
ISBN: 9789144095066
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Förståelse, beskrivning och förklaring : introduktion till samhällsvetenskaplig metod för hälsovård och socialt arbete
Jacobsen Dag Ingvar, Järvå Håkan, Wallin Bitte
2., uppdaterade och utök. uppl. : Lund : Studentlitteratur : 2012 : 327 s. :
ISBN: 978-91-44-08142-7
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Ejlertsson Göran
Enkäten i praktiken : en handbok i enkätmetodik
3. [rev.] uppl. : Lund : Studentlitteratur : 2014 : 163 s. :
ISBN: 9789144101637
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Ejlertsson Göran
Statistik för hälsovetenskaperna
2. uppl. : Studentlitteratur AB : 2012 :
ISBN: 978-91-44-07048-3
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Introduktion till SPSS 15 - senaste versionen
Inst för kostvetenskap, Umeå :

Trost Jan
Enkätboken
4., uppdaterade och utök. uppl. : Lund : Studentlitteratur : 2012 : 178 s. :
ISBN: 978-91-44-07643-0
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Wahlgren Lars
SPSS steg för steg
3. uppl. : Lund : Studentlitteratur : 2012 : 198 s. :
ISBN: 978-91-44-08340-7
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Malterud Kirsti
Kvalitativa metoder i medicinsk forskning : en introduktion
3., [uppdaterade] uppl. : Lund : Studentlitteratur : 2014 : 286 s. :
ISBN: 9789144094984
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Forskningsintervjun : tekniker och genomförande
Gillham Bill, Jamison Gromark Emily
1. uppl. : Lund : Studentlitteratur : 2008 : 229 s. :
ISBN: 978-91-44-04012-7
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Wibeck Victoria
Fokusgrupper : om fokuserade gruppintervjuer som undersökningsmetod
2., uppdaterade och utök. uppl. : Lund : Studentlitteratur : 2010 : 178 s. :
ISBN: 978-91-44-05856-6
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Trost Jan
Kvalitativa intervjuer
4., [omarb.] uppl. : Lund : Studentlitteratur : 2010 : 165 s. :
ISBN: 978-91-44-06216-7
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Valid from: 2015 week 34