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2020/2021  KAN-CICOO2000U  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
Start time of the course Spring, Autumn
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for Master of Arts (MA) in International Business Communication in English
Course coordinator
  • Alex Klinge - Department of Management, Society and Communication (MSC)
  • Margrethe Mondahl - Department of Management, Society and Communication (MSC)
Main academic disciplines
  • Globalisation and international business
  • Communication
  • Language
Teaching methods
  • Face-to-face teaching
Last updated on 30-06-2020

Relevant links
Learning objectives
The Master's Thesis shall document the student(s)’s skills in applying scientific method and theory in the work with a delimited academic problem as well as the student(s)’s ability for academic concentration.

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)’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
  • Contribute to new perspective, e.g. by applying known theory on previously unexamined empirics or - only for theoretical theses - new (combinations of) theories applied on a known problem
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 Oral group exam based on written group product
Number of people in the group 2
Size of written product Max. 120 pages
1 person group: max. 80 pages
3 persons groups: max.160 pages
Please notice that groups of 3 students require an exemption.
Assignment type Master's thesis
Duration
Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
75 min. per group, including examiners' discussion of grade, and informing plus explaining the grade
Grading scale 7-point grading 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 thesis should include an executive summary in English of max. 2 pages.
The executive summary is comprised in the assessment.
Examiner(s) Internal examiner and external examiner
Exam period Summer and Winter
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary 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 as soon as possible based on the thesis already handed in.

If the student receives a non-passing grade at the regular exam, they have used an exam attempt. It is then a requirement that the Master’s Thesis contract is renewed, i.e. the student must further clarify their original topic delimitation, which must then be approved by the thesis coordinator.
Description of the exam procedure

Oral examination:
1 student: 45 minutes -  including examiners' discussion of grade, and informing plus explaining the grade
2 students: 75 minutes -  including examiners' discussion of grade, and informing plus explaining the grade

3 students (exemption): 90 minutes -  including examiners' discussion of grade, and informing plus explaining the grade

The assessment of the Master's Thesis

The grade is a comprehensive grade that includes the written thesis as well as the oral examination. The grade awarded will reflect  the academic content as well as the student's ability to spell and communicate; this means that professional language skills may have a positive effect on the grade, whereas poor language skills may have a negative effect on the grade.

 

The oral examination begins with a presentation by the student of significant points and challenges, followed by a discussion of the theory behind the Master's Thesis, empirical material used, method and analysis with a view to development of arguments, additional reflection and a possible future perspective on the implications of the Master's Thesis.

 
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

The thesis is usually written in the fourth(4) semester.

 

The thesis must be written in groups of two (2) students.


The topic for the thesis is chosen by the students from within one or several of the academic areas that the students have been working with in the programme. 

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.


 
Description of the teaching methods
No teaching only supervision.
Feedback during the teaching period
While working on the Master’s Thesis, students are entitled to receive a pre-determined amount of guidance from their supervisor.
Student workload
Supervision Group of two students 24 hours
Supervision one student writing a alone 16 hours
Home work 804 hours
Further Information

 

Oral defence for students writing alone is 45 minutes. If a student writes the Master's thesis individually the paper must be of max. 80 pages.
Last updated on 30-06-2020