Swedish name: Magisteruppsats i kognitionsvetenskap
This syllabus is valid: 2024-11-04 and until further notice
Course code: 2KO018
Credit points: 15
Education level: Second cycle
Main Field of Study and progress level:
Cognitive Science: Second cycle, contains degree project for Master of Arts/Master of Science (60 credits)
Grading scale: Pass with distinction, Pass, Fail
Responsible department: Department of Psychology
Revised by: Head of Department of Psychology, 2024-10-10
The Course involves students planning and conducting, under supervision, with independent responsibility, an empirical Thesis based on a scientific basis within the current main area and subject orientation. The thesis work includes independently formulating problems, carrying out a scientific study, processing data with qualitative and/or quantitative methods and orally discussing and presenting the results in writing in a scientific manner. The course is divided into two modules where the first focuses on planning and motivating the thesis topic and the second focuses on conducting and reporting the thesis.
After completing the course for the current main field of cognitive science and the subject area, the student must independently be able to
Module 1, 3 credits
Knowledge and understanding
Module 2, 12 credits
Knowledge and understanding
Skills and ability
Evaluation ability and approach
Finished courses corresponding to 90 credits (hp) in cognitive science or equivalent, including 30 credits at an advanced level in cognitive science including the courses Research design and data collection, 7.5 credits, Higher cognitive functions, 7.5 credits, Language, brain and cognition, 7.5 credits, and The problem of consciousness: Philosophical and empirical aspects, 7.5 credits, or equivalent.
Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English A/6 (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.
The teaching mainly takes place in the form of supervision given at booked meetings and through seminars. The course requires mandatory attendance at the thesis project plan seminar as well as at the opposition and respondent seminars.
The right to receive teaching, including supervision, is only guaranteed for registered student during the course period. This applies regardless of how often the students have met with their supervisor.
The course is divided into two modules. The examination consists of five parts: a thesis project plan, a written thesis, defense of your own thesis, a presentation and critical discussion/opposition of another student thesis and registration of the thesis in DiVA.
Module 1. Thesis project plan, 3 credits
Thesis project plans is written prior to the mandatory seminar and assessed at the seminar. Assessment of thesis project plan is done individually and given the grades Pass or Fail.
The opportunity to supplement the thesis-project plan is decided individually based on the assessment criteria or criteria for which the student's thesis project plan did not achieve a passing grade. The supplement must be submitted no later than 10 working days after the student has been notified of the result of the regular examination. In cases where the student has been given the opportunity to supplement the thesis project plan and has not submitted it in time or has not been approved for the supplement, the grade is set to Fail and an additional exam will be arranged according to the rules that apply to re-examination (see below).
Module 2. Degree project/Thesis, Opposition, Respondentship, DiVA, 12 credits
Examination elements that are assessed during Module 2 is the written thesis work that is defended by the student at an thesis seminar where the oral defense is assessed. Furthermore, an approved completed presentation and opposition of another student thesis are required. Examination of the written thesis work takes place through review in an thesis committee where the thesis and the work process are reviewed based on grading criteria established in advance. A combined grade is assigned to both the work process and the finished written thesis, with one of the grades Fail, Pass or Pass with distinction. For thesis courses, a three-point grading scale applies Fail, Pass or Pass with distinction. For thesis project plan, opposition, presentation and defense of own thesis, grades are given Pass or Fail for each part. The assessment of the thesis project plan, the thesis as well as opposition and response is done individually. Assessment of DiVA registration takes place individually or in pairs, depending on whether the thesis was written individually or in pairs.
In the case that the thesis has individual/minor flaws (some or a few assessment criteria that are failed), the student is offered the opportunity to supplement the thesis before the thesis is graded. The supplement is adapted individually based on the assessment criteria or criteria for which the student's thesis did not achieve a passing grade. The supplement must be submitted no later than 10 working days after the student has been notified of the result of the regular examination. In cases where the student has been given the opportunity to supplement his thesis and has not submitted it in time or has not been approved for his supplement, the grade is given Fail and a further exam is arranged according to the rules that apply to re-examination (see below). For cases where the deficiencies are more extensive, the student receives a grade of Fail and is not offered the opportunity to supplement. An additional re-examination is organized according to the rules that apply to re-examination (see below).
Completion of the opposition, defense of the thesis and registration in DiVA is adapted individually based on the goal or goals that the student has not achieved and takes place no earlier than two weeks after the students have been notified of the examination results and no later than two months after the regular examination.
Grades for the course/respective elements/modules are set when all examination parts are approved. At least the grade of Pass must be achieved in each of the five examination parts in order to receive a passing grade for the entire course. The grade on the written thesis determines the grade on the course.
The examining elements is indicated in the schedule.
Students are entitled to five examination opportunities. For students who have not been approved at the original examination, an additional re-examination will be arranged according to the University's "Rules for grades and examinations at undergraduate and advanced level". A student who has passed two re-examinations for a course or part of a course without a passing result has the right to have another examiner appointed, unless special reasons speak against it. The request for a new examiner is made to the head of the Department of Psychology.
The provisions of the Discrimination Act (2008:567) mean, among other things, that the universities must offer the possibility of adapted examination or alternative forms of examination. Deviations from the syllabus examination format can be made for a student who has a decision on educational support due to a disability. Individual adaptation of the form of examination must be considered based on the student's needs. The form of examination is adapted within the framework of the curriculum's expected study results. Students who need an adapted examination must request adaptation from the department responsible for the course no later than 10 days before the examination. After the student's request, the teacher responsible for the course, in consultation with the examiner, must quickly decide on an adapted form of examination. The decision must then be communicated to the student.
Transfer of credits takes place according to Umeå University's rules and regulations.
The student is expected to use different sources of knowledge that increase, deepens and clarifies the subject area. Literature is sought out individually and selection can be made in discussion with the supervisor. More information and guidelines can be found on the course Canvas page.