Business Administration, Master's Thesis I (one-year), 15 credits

Contents

The course aims to develop the student's ability to independently address a problem within Business Administration. Furthermore, the course aims to provide knowledge about, and experience of how to independently plan and conduct a study using scientifically grounded methods. The course also aims to develop the student´s ability to critically review and assess other theses. Additionally, the course provides an opportunity for theoretically deepening within a self-chosen area. The course consists of the master’s thesis, a main opposition and a side opposition.

Expected learning outcomes

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

Knowledge and understanding

• identify a research field within Business Administration and formulate and argue for a theoretically relevant research question,
• develop a relevant theoretical framework and position the thesis with respect to previous research.

Skills and ability

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

• collect empirical material relevant to answer the research question,
• communicate the main arguments, contents and results of the thesis in a scholarly manner,
• 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

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

• argue for the choice of research methods and discuss the strengths and weaknesses thereof,
• discuss relevant ethical aspects in the research process,
• analyse empirical material using appropriate analytical methods,
• discuss research findings using a theoretical framework,
• draw conclusions from research findings, discuss the implications thereof specifying the contributions to the research field,
• reflect on relevant ethical and societal implications of research findings.

Required Knowledge

90 credits whereof 75 credits in Business Administration, whereof 15 credits at advanced level excluding internship courses. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English 6/level 2.

Form of instruction

The thesis work is largely an independent project, which means that the student's individual freedom, creativity and personal responsibility are emphasized. It is expected that the ongoing master’s thesis manuscript is presented and discussed with the supervisor at least three times during the thesis process. The course consists of a master thesis, a main opposition, and a side opposition. The course structure is described in the department’s thesis manual.

Examination modes

For the course as a whole, a three-grade scale is used: Pass with distinction (Väl godkänd, VG), 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 master’s 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 during the semester.

Master thesis (13 credits) is examined through the writing and defence of an independent work. The master thesis is graded as Pass with distinction, Pass or Fail. The thesis is assessed and graded by a grading teacher and an examiner, while the assessment of the defence is made by the supervisor at the seminar.

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

Main opposition (1 credit) is examined through an oral and written main opposition on another one-year master’s thesis. The written main opposition is an individual task. The main opposition is graded as Pass (Godkänd) or Fail (Underkänd).

Other regulations

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

The thesis and seminar assignments are written in English.

The scope of the thesis is usually between 40-60 pages. The thesis is written jointly by two students. If there are special reasons, the course coordinator may decide that the thesis can be written individually. It is not possible for students registered in different thesis courses to write a thesis together (for example, mixing a 1st year Master's thesis and a 2nd 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.