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2023/2024  KAN-CSOAO2001U  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 Autumn
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for cand.merc. and CSOA (CSOA)
Course coordinator
  • Christian De Cock - Department of Organization (IOA)
Main academic disciplines
  • Organisation
  • Strategy
  • Economics
Teaching methods
  • Face-to-face teaching
Last updated on 20-06-2023

Relevant links

Learning objectives
The aim of the thesis is to enable the student to complete and communicate a problem-orientated academic research and thereby demonstrate the ability to think and work academically, as well as utilize this in a future professional context.
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:
  • Articulate a delineated problem within the program’s field of study that can facilitate and structure the student’s work on the thesis and its contents.
  • Select and adapt the theories used in the analysis.
  • Substantiate and evaluate the chosen methods and research design.
  • Ensure a logical coherence between problem statement, analysis and conclusion.
  • Argue for the significance of the choices made during the work with the thesis.
  • Discuss the analytical and possible empirical results raised by the research.
  • Extract the implications in relation to business practice within the program’s field of study.
  • Communicate the contents of the thesis to peers.
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, see also the rules about examination forms in the programme regulations.
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
Students from English concentrations must write the Master’s thesis in English. Students from Danish concentrations have the option of writing their thesis in English if they wish.
Assignment type Master's thesis
Release of assignment Subject chosen by students themselves, see guidelines if any
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 Master’s thesis must be accompanied by an abstract of the work (max. one A4 page), written in English. The abstract is taken into consideration at the assessment stage.

For rules regarding individual exams, see your programme regulations and my.cbs.dk.
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Examiner(s) Internal examiner and external examiner
Exam period Summer
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 based on the thesis already handed in. If a student receives a non-passing grade at the regular exam he or 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. Failure to hand-in on the set hand-in date will result in used exam attempt.
Description of the exam procedure

Examination in the Master’s thesis is conducted as an external oral exam based on the written product. The oral exam lasts 75 minutes, incl. examiners' discussion of the grade, and informing plus explaining the grade. 

The assessment is carried out by the supervisor (if there are two or more supervisors, only the primary supervisor participates) and an external examiner. The grade awarded will reflect a holistic assessment of the thesis (including the abstract), the oral defence, and the student’s spelling and style – although more emphasis will be placed on the academic content.

 

Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

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 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. The student chooses the subject of the thesis from within the concentration’s overall theme and academic profile or within a minor. Under special circumstances, the Study Board may approve an exemption from this provision. While working on the Master’s thesis, the students are entitled to receive a pre-determined amount of guidance from their supervisor. 

 

If the student does not hand in the Master thesis thesis to the deadline, there will be set a new deadline of 3 months and the student must submit a revised Master Thesis contract.

 

Description of the teaching methods
The students have the right to supervision.
Feedback during the teaching period
The students will receive feedback during the writing process.
Student workload
Supervision (2 students) 24 hours
Exam (Including exam preparation) 800 hours
Further Information

Students enrolled in Cand. Merc. / MSc EBA Programmes have the option to collaborate on their Master's Thesis with fellow students from Cand. Merc. / MSc EBA programmes, without requiring an exemption. For a comprehensive list of eligible programmes, please refer to the student intranet.

Last updated on 20-06-2023