Writing Course and Project Description

Level of Study

Master level

Teaching semester

Autumn

Objectives and Content

The course get the student to start early with his/her master thesis through writing training and practical insight in the research process. The course aims at offering students more insight in the writing process behind a successful master thesis by working with a project proposal for the future master thesis. The project proposal forms the basis for the master thesis and the allocation of a supervisor.

Learning Outcomes

A student who has completed the course should have the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The student

• can define a research theme at an advanced level and elaborate it into research aims, objectives and research question, and connect theme to applicable theory and methodology aiming at a research based conclusion
• knows the characteristics of quality research publications and data

Skills

The student

• knows how to carry out a systematic search in the library, in scientific and other data bases
• can interpret and evaluate data and literature critically
• can argue scientifically, structure the argumentation and follow good scientific use of references
• can identify ethical issues in a research project and register the project for ethical clearance
• can serve as peer reviewer of other project drafts and proposals
• can define and frame an independent research project under supervision

General competence

The student

• can choose a general topic for a geographical research theme, develop it into a research framework with related aims and objectives that can be investigated within various time and resource limits
• can communicate, both in writing and oral, the design of a geographical research project with related aims, objectives and theory, and masters language and terminology of the geographic field

Required Previous Knowledge

Admitted to Master's in Geography, Master's in Geographies of Sustainable Development or Master's in Physical Geography.

Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap

GEO300 - 5 ects

Access to the Course

Reserved for Master's in Geography, Master's in Geographies of Sustainable Development and Master's in Physical Geography.

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures, seminars and assignment in a 2 week intensive course in August/September.

Total: 4-5 lectures á 2 hours pr. week - 9 lectures

2-4 seminars in September-November

Group work: peer review of draft proposals in November.

1 seminar with presentations in December

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

Three assignments:

-Thought paper (500-1000 words) with the aim to elaborate theme, perspective and argument (August)

- Project draft (2-3000 words) which seeks to develop the project towards a scientific problem, including important references (August)

- Draft proposal (November)

Peer review exercise

Oral seminar presentation (30 minutes)

Forms of Assessment

A project description of 5000-7000 words, containing an elaborate description of theme, aim/justification of the project, scientific problem, and a brief outline of research design, methodology and planned schedule.

Grading Scale

Grading: Pass/fail

Assessment Semester

Assessment in teaching semester

Course Evaluation

All courses are evaluated according to UiB's system for quality assurance of education.