Master thesis, second year, 15 Credits

Contents

In the course the student is given possibilities to apply knowledge and proficiencies acquired during the other courses in the master programme of public health, including the master thesis written during the first year of the programme. The purpose is for the student to be trained in the ability to perform independent scientific work. The master thesis can be a literature review, or an empirical study.

Expected learning outcomes

After completion of the course the student should be able to: – independently plan, carry out and present a scientific work in the form of a thesis, – critically review and be the opponent of a corresponding work

Required Knowledge

To be admitted to the course the applicant must have a passing degree on at least four of the courses given during the first year of the programme. English proficiency equivalent to English A from Swedish Upper secondary education. (IELTS (Academic) with minimum score 5.5 and no individual score below 5.0. TOEFL (Paper based with minimum score 530 and minimum TWE 4). TOEFL (Internet based with minimum score 72 and minimum Written 17)). Basic entrance requirements for higher studies in Swedish language proficiency is also required if the course is taught in Swedish.

Form of instruction

Thesis work is introduced during the fall semester. The student is given the opportunity to discuss the choice of topic for the thesis with teachers and fellow students. A supervisor for the student is also appointed during the fall semester. In the main, thesis work is being done during the second semester. The thesis is being presented at a seminar during the second part of the spring semester of the second programme year. The student shall also be the opponent on another student’s thesis presented in the same way. Attendance on all thesis seminars during the student’s fourth semester on the programme is compulsory.

Examination modes

In the examination the examiner judges both the student’s thesis and the student’s ability to critically review another student’s thesis. Grading The following alternatives exist for the grading: Pass with distinction Pass Fail: (i) Given for theses that are not up to the standard for a passing degree (ii) Given for students who did not submit their theses in time for the seminar (and thus did not present the theses at a seminar) or who did not submit their revised theses within the time frame given for this. Thus, all students receive a grade on the thesis course. For a student receiving the grade Fail because he/she did not submit the thesis in time to have a seminar, the next opportunity to have a seminar is in the following semester. Thesis seminars are only held in the later part of each semester. A student is allowed to re-register on the thesis course one time and thereby receive more supervision (see below). For a student who receives the grade Fail but having had a seminar, the university’s rules for examination on courses apply in the following way. The student is during the academic year entitled to two re-sit exams. For the thesis course this means that the student can turn in another two revised versions of the thesis and have them assessed by the examiner. However, during this period the student is not entitled to supervision. The last meeting between the supervisor and the student is the one being held after the thesis seminar. If a student does not manage to receive a passing degree having, as described above, turned in up to three revised versions of the theses, the student is allowed to re-register for the thesis course in the following semester and have a new supervisor appointed. The same rules apply for this process as for the first thesis course that the student took. If the student does not pass the thesis course in this second attempt, the student is not allowed to any further re-registering on thesis courses.

Other regulations

Start-of-study respite A respite for the start of studies may be granted under special circumstances. Examples of such circumstances are illness, military service, pregnancy, care of children or other nursing responsibilities etc. A negative decision about start-of-study respite may be appealed to Överklagandenämnden för högskolan. Course roll call Attendance is compulsory for the course roll call. A student may be relieved from this obligation only through a decision by the course coordinator and only under special circumstances. Non-attendance without a valid reason may lead to the seat being given to another applicant. A decision about this is made by the course coordinator.

Academic credit transfers are always reviewed individually according to the University’s set of rules and academic credit transfer regulations.