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2014/2015  KAN-CSSMO1008U  Master's Thesis

English Title
Master's Thesis

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 30 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Full Degree Master
Duration One Semester
Course period Autumn, Spring
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for MSc of Social Science
Course coordinator
  • Erik Caparros Højbjerg - MPP
Main academic disciplines
  • Philosophy and philosophy of science
  • Globalization, International Business, markets and studies
  • Innovation and entrepreneurship
  • Marketing
  • Experience economy and service management
  • Organization
  • Political Science
  • Political leadership, public management and international politics
  • Economic and organizational sociology
Last updated on 14-08-2014
Learning objectives
The learning objectives of the Master’s thesis process are twofold; first, they relate to the student’s methodological benefits from working with the thesis, and second, they relate to the elements contained in the thesis.

Methodological benefits:

After having completed the Master’s thesis process, the student must be able to:

•handle an iterative process in which processing of knowledge and drafting the problem statement are interrelated;

•draft a problem statement that facilitates control and structure in the student’s work on the thesis and its content;

•argue the wording of the questions that are answered in order to solve the problem;

•explain and evaluate the methods used in answering questions and solving the problem ;

•select and process the theory used in the drafting of the problem statement and questions, analysis and conclusion;

•argue the relevance and validity of the theories used;

•select and process primary and secondary sources used to document analysis and problem solution;

•explain and evaluate the overall relation between: drafting the problem statement, choice and application of theories, collection and processing of empirics, and conclusion;

•explain the overall relation from a theoretical science perspective.

The grade 12 is awarded in cases where the Master’s thesis meets the following requirements to an excellent degree, i.e. with no or only few deficiencies:
  • the thesis is governed by a student-developed problem statement which is relevant to the programme;
  • the thesis is delimited to the effect that its analyses and discussions are relevant, necessary and adequate to answer the problem;
  • the problem statement, delimitation, outline, analysis and conclusion to the effect that the answer is logical in relation to the problem statement;
  • the thesis contains a discussion of and reason for the choice and omissions with respect to subject delimitation, theories, methodology and empirics (if empirics are included);
  • the thesis provides critical reflection on the selected theories, methodology and empirics (if empirics are included) and assesses their applicability in answering the problem statement;
  • the thesis is consistent to the effect that the choice and application of theories and empirics interact and complement the production of knowledge (applies to empirical theses);
  • allegations made in the analysis and conclusion are documented and/or argued;
  • the analysis includes deliberations on the degree to which the results of the thesis resemble and/or deviate from other similar surveys in the field;
  • the analysis focuses on a delimited problem, i.e. provides an in-depth analysis and creates a synthesis on the basis of theories and empirics, where relevant;
  • the thesis discusses the premises of the theories and the impact of those premises on the knowledge that can be created .
  • the thesis contributes to a new perspective, e.g. by applying a known theory on previously unexamined or "only" for theoretical thesis
  • empirics or new (combinations of) theories applied on a known problem.
Course prerequisites
The Master thesis must be the last element finalizing the programme.
Before handing in the Master's Thesis contract, students may lack a maximum of 15 ECTS from the block of electives.
Examination
Master's Thesis:
Exam ECTS 30
Examination form Oral exam based on written product

In order to participate in the oral exam, the written product must be handed in before the oral exam; by the set deadline. The grade is based on an overall assessment of the written product and the individual oral performance.
Individual or group exam Individual
If a student writes the Master's thesis indivudially the paper must be of max. 80 pages.

If two students write together the paper must be of max. 120 pages.
Assignment type Master's thesis
Duration
Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
60 min. per student, including examiners' discussion of grade, and informing plus explaining the grade
Grading scale 7-step scale

The student’s spelling and writing skills are taken into consideration in the overall assessment of the examination performance, but the academic content is given the highest weight.
Regulations regarding the summary The abstact must be written in English
Examiner(s) Internal examiner and external examiner
Exam period Summer Term, All other elements of the programme must be completed before the thesis is handed in. The Study Board may grant a dispensation from this rule in cases of special circumstances
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Description of the exam procedure

The assessment is carried out by the supervisor (if there is more than one supervisor, only the primary supervisor participates) and an external examiner. The grade awarded must reflect an overall assessment of the written thesis (including the abstract of max. 1 page ), the oral defence and the student’s spelling and style - although more emphasis will be placed on the academic content. A Master’s thesis may be written and assessed either individually or in collaboration with another student.
 

Make-up exam/ Re-exam : In case the student is ill at the oral defense of his or her Master's Thesis a new oral exam will be arranged based on the thesis already handed in.If a student recieves a non-passing grade at the regular exam he og she must hand in a revised version of the thesis, or a thesis based on a new or revised subject, after conferring with the supervisor.  
Course content and structure

The thesis block comprises the preparation of a written thesis (the Master’s thesis), which serves as a test of the student’s ability to engage in in-depth study and independently describe, analyse and process a complex issue at Master’s level.The student chooses the subject of the thesis from within the concentration’s overall theme and academic profile. Under special circumstances, the Study Board may approve an exemption from this provision.The topic delimitation of the Master’s thesis must be approved prior to the start of thesis supervision. At the time of approval, a deadline for submission of the thesis is also determined together with a plan for supervision. See detailed information on the MSoc.Sc.'s homepage on e-campus.

While working on the Master’s thesis, the students are entitled to receive a pre-determined amount of guidance from their supervisor. Students who choose to write an individual thesis are entitled to 21 hours of supervision whereas students who write together with another student will be given 32 hours of supervision.

The Master’s thesis must be max. 80 standard pages (one standard page consists of 2275 characters including spaces) if written by one student, and max. 120 standard pages if written by two students.

On the English-medium programme concentrations, the Master’s thesis must be written and submitted in English. Students on the Danish-medium concentrations have the option to write their thesis in English, if they wish.
Teaching methods
The students have the right to supervision - for more details see the above.
Last updated on 14-08-2014