Master's Thesis

Postgraduate course

Course description

Objectives and Content

The Master's thesis is scholarly research intended to give the students the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills they have acquired during the first year of the programme, as well as their own previous training and experience. In the thesis research project, the student should demonstrate skills in planning, conducting, analysing and reporting on a health promotion/gender in global development investigation. The master's thesis could be based on material collected through a short 3-4 week field work, or on existing data material and/or literature.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this course the students should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge:

The student has in-depth knowledge of:

  • The structural components of a Master's thesis
  • The significance of objectives and research questions
  • How to conduct a literature review
  • The particular theory / concepts selected to frame the project
  • The ethical requirements of research
  • A selected subfield related to own research project

Skills:

The student has the ability to:

  • Plan and conduct an independent research project under supervision and in accordance with applicable norms for research ethics
  • Collect and critically appraise relevant data or critically review existing data, literature and theory
  • Analyse data and present empirical material in a clear and structured manner
  • Critically analyse and discuss theory and research literature relevant to the research topic
  • Write a scholarly document critically reporting on, and discussing, the research process and findings

General competence:

By the end of the course the student:

  • Can analyse own area of specialisation in relation to general debates on health promotion OR gender and development both at policy and academic levels
  • Can communicate extensively own independent research and assess that of others
  • Can engage in public debates on health promotion OR gender and development
  • Can contribute innovatively to health promotion OR gender and development initiatives

Full-time/Part-time

Full-time

ECTS Credits

30 ECTS

Level of Study

Master's

Semester of Instruction

Spring
Required Previous Knowledge
Students must have completed the previous compulsory modules of the programme.
Access to the Course
Open to all students registered in Master's Programme in Global Development Theory and Practice.
Teaching and learning methods
The teaching method will consist of group supervision and lectures.
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
Students are required to participate in group supervision meetings, to present their thesis work, and to peer review other students' work.
Forms of Assessment

Master's thesis of 40-50 pages. This does not include front page, table of contents, bibliography and appendices. Students are expected to write their thesis in pairs, but exemptions can be made if circumstances require it.

NOTE: Text generated by ChatGPT and other AI text generators is not permitted in the submitted written work.

Grading Scale
A-F
Assessment Semester
Spring
Reading List
There is no specified reading list for this course.
Course Evaluation
The course will be evaluated in accordance with the Faculty of Psychology's routines for participatory evaluation and the University of Bergen's Quality Assurance System.
Programme Committee
Department of Health Promotion and Development, Faculty of Psychology
Course Coordinator
Department of Health Promotion and Development
Course Administrator
Department of Health Promotion and Development, Faculty of Psychology, is responsible for the administration of the programme.