Master Thesis
Study Board of Market and Management Anthropology, Economics, Mathematics-Economics, Environmental and Resource Management
Teaching language: Danish, English
EKA: B560018112, B560018102
Censorship: Second examiner: None, Second examiner: External
Grading: Pass/Fail, 7-point grading scale
Offered in: Odense
Offered in: Autumn, Spring
Level: Master
Course ID: B560018101
ECTS value: 30
Date of Approval: 09-10-2018
Duration: 1 semester
Course ID
Course Title
Teaching language
ECTS value
Responsible study board
Study Board of Market and Management Anthropology, Economics, Mathematics-Economics, Environmental and Resource Management
Date of Approval
Course Responsible
Offered in
Level
Offered in
Duration
Mandatory prerequisites
Recommended prerequisites
Compulsory courses and electives.
The Master's Thesis must be placed at the last year of the study programme.
Topic of the master's thesis must be related to the profile in which the student is enrolled; as described in the profile description section 3 (Description of the profile focus).
Supervisor is chosen among the internal lecturers teaching at the master's programme in economics in Odense.
Aim and purpose
The master's thesis must document skills in applying academic theory and methods to a specific academic subject.
Through the master’s thesis, students must demonstrate their ability to:
- Independently formulate a well-defined problem by application of either economic theory or economic methodology or both and argue for the relevance and usefulness of this problem statement
- Through the preparing of the thesis show the ability to structure their own learning.
- Identify relevant literature, describe the essence of it and argue for its relevance, and reflect on its strengths and weaknesses related to the problem identified and process new knowledge from the selected sources.
- Identify and apply relevant empirical and/or analytical methods and explain their relevance and limitations for the problem defined.
- Apply economic methods and tools to analyze the economic issues and reflect on the obtained results in relation to the problem statement, the methodology and the literature used.
- Present and communicate the acquired knowledge in a clear, scientific and systematic way to fellow economics students and experts etc. in both the written report and at the defense of the thesis.
- At the defense, argue for the main premises and results in the thesis through a unassisted oral presentation, and further reflect on the comments made by the examiners.
Content
The key areas of the thesis depend on the type of problem formulation.
The thesis is an independent study, in which the student works on one or more of the following:
- conveys new theoretical insight e.g. by testing existing studies of other data or by constructing their own models or by tying different theoretical models together in a synthesis.
- conveys new empirical insight e.g. by testing existing studies of other data or by constructing their own model and testing it on data, a process that includes gathering and structuring of data.
- applies existing knowledge - either theoretical or empirical or both - to a new problem.
- carries out a literature survey regarding a specific problem, structured in a clear and systematic way so that it covers the existing knowledge within the problem that is being studied.
Learning goals
The objective of the Master's thesis is that the student should, in a written report meeting common scientific standards and at an oral presentation and discussion of this report, demonstrate:
Description of outcome - Knowledge
- Knowledge by describing the components of the selected theory that is important for the problem, as well as relating these to one another, as well as to the problem.
- The possession of knowledge on a high level together with the ability to communicate this
Description of outcome - Skills
- Skills in being able to select, analyse and identify a problem that is relevant for the profile, and do this by using the subject's theory and method of the problem area, as well as stating the reasons for this.
- Skills in formulating a problem so that it is well-structured, precise and unambiguous, as well as being realistic in proportion to the resources that are available for the project.
- Skills in being able to report the results of the thesis, and to reflect upon its quality and generalisation potential.
- The ability to employ a scientific basis to choose between alternatives by selecting the relevant alternatives/answers to the question posed by the thesis, making use of the results of the survey.
- An ability to master the methods of the profile based on a survey for example if used. This should be done by developing and carrying out a survey design on the basis of a theoretical starting point that can answer and employ the questions posed by the thesis.
Description of outcome - Competences
- The ability for own learning and the possession of knowledge on a high level in connection with the independent identification and selection of a theoretical basis, which either expands or elaborates upon the knowledge, which has been attained in the constituent subjects, including the identification of the most significant sources and theory formation within the problem's target field.
- The ability to reflect upon the implications of the knowledge that has been gained during the preparation of the thesis.
- Skills in preparing and conducting a project within a given timeframe in a fashion ensuring that the allocated resources are used in the best way possible.
- Skills in communication to academic colleagues by communicating the results in a clear and structured form in a written report and an oral presentation with the University's lecturers as the target audience; also, in communicating to non-specialists by selecting and communicating the most significant components in a concise manner in an abstract.
Literature
Literature on a high academic level which reflects the scientific knowledge that is available at the time of the writing of the master's thesis and that is adequate for the solving of the assignment set.
Teaching Method
The student must list for the activity via the student self-service system.
Procedure for assignment of supervisor, joint information meetings and other activities in connection the Master’s thesis will be evident from the web page for Master’s thesis on the home page for the study programme on the campus in question. Notice that an information meeting about Master’s thesis is set up. Notice also that the student is expected to prepare for the Master’s thesis in such a way that he or she is ready to give in wishes for subject and supervisor at the deadline.
By working with the Master's thesis, the student shall gain experience in working independently with a complex problem. Therefore, the student's learning primarily takes place through independent work supported by a supervisor.
The student may not receive payment for the work in connection with their master’s thesis, as a) the activity is an ECTS-bearing activity, and b) the student may receive SU during the study. Reimbursement for some expenses or a monthly payment for confirmed expenses can however be granted during the study. If repayment/reimbursement is received, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure, whether it is taxable or not.
Companies and organizations can give students in unpaid project oriented courses and on unpaid study stays an acknowledgement of up to DKK 3,000 a month. Students who participate in project oriented courses aborad may receive a salary if there is a legal requirement for minimum wages in the country in question.
In connection with the approval of the supervisor agreement, the student has the right to a maximum of one hour of supervision for discussing the problem definition etc. The student has, in addition, possibility for supervision once the supervisor agreement is in place. The possibility for supervision is available for the first examination attempt only.
The thesis supervisor is never obliged to read an unfinished report in its full length, before the finished written report has been submitted for defense officially. The supervisor can as part of the supervision read parts of and give comments to the unfinished report.
It is, however, a possibility to have supervision to a limited extent in connection with the reformulation of the supervisor agreement for a possible 2nd or 3rd examination attempt.
Workload
The workload of the Master's thesis per student is equivalent to half a year of study = 30 ECTS = 810 working hours.
Examination regulations
Written report with oral defence.
Name
Written report with oral defence.
Timing
1st examination attempt:
For students who register for Master’s thesis in the autumn semester, the thesis report must be handed in no later than 2 January. The oral defence will take place no later than 31 January.
For students who register for Master’s thesis in the spring semester, the thesis report must be handed in no later than 1 June. The oral defence will take place no later than 30 June.
The supervisor agreement must be approved before submission of the thesis report (see under "examination conditions").
If the thesis report is not handed in by the deadline, if the thesis report is rejected and not graded, or if the grade of the Master’s thesis after the oral defence results in a non-passed grade (-3 or 00), the student will be registered for one attempt, and a deadline for the 2nd examination attempt will become effective.
2nd examination attempt:
Three months are given to prepare the thesis report for the 2nd examination attempt. Before submission of the thesis report, a renewed supervisor agreement with a revised problem statement within the same topic must be approved (see under "examination conditions"). The deadline for handing in the report for the 2nd attempt is
1 September/1 April if the thesis has not been handed in by the deadline or if the thesis has been rejected without grading.
1 October/ 1 May if the oral defence has taken place.
If the thesis report is not handed in by the deadline, if the thesis report is rejected and not graded, or if the grade of the Master’s thesis after the oral defence results in a non-passed grade (-3 or 00), the student will be registered for one attempt, and a deadline for the 3rd examination attempt will become effective.
3rd examination attempt:
Three months are given to prepare the thesis report for the 3rd examination attempt. Before submission of the thesis report, a renewed supervisor agreement with a revised problem statement within the same topic must be approved (see under "examination conditions").
The deadline for submission of the thesis report is 3 months after the deadline for submitting 2nd attempt if the thesis report is not handed in by the new deadline or if the thesis is rejected without grading. If the thesis failed after the oral exam for the 2nd attempt, a deadline for submitting the thesis report for the 3rd attempt will be set 3 months after the date when the oral defence took place.
If the thesis report is not handed in by the deadline, if the thesis report is rejected and not graded, or if the grade of the Master’s thesis after the oral defence results in a non-passed grade (-3 or 00), the student will be registered for one attempt, and all examination attempts have been used.
Tests
Supervisor agreement
Name
Supervisor agreement
Form of examination
Take-home assignment
Censorship
Second examiner: None
Grading
Pass/Fail
Identification
Student Identification Card - Date of birth
Language
Danish, English
ECTS value
0
Additional information
None.
EKA
B560018112
Exam
Name
Exam
Form of examination
Master's thesis with oral defence
Censorship
Second examiner: External
Grading
7-point grading scale
Identification
Student Identification Card - Date of birth
Language
Danish, English
Duration
Fourth semester of the master's programme.
Length
The thesis report (excluding table of contents, bibliography and appendices) may be up to 80 standard pages in length for an individual student and up to 110 standard pages for two students.
There is no requirement to state who is responsible for the individual sections of the report.
The thesis report must include an abstract in English or another language agreed upon with the supervisor. The abstract may be no more than 3 pages in length and is not included in the number of pages required.
For formalities, please refer to "Guidelines for formalities for written assignments” (find link on the exam page for the study programme.)
Examination aids
All examination aids allowed.
Assignment handin
The thesis report including supplementary material shall be submitted through SDUassignment in blackboard.
ECTS value
30
Additional information
The report may be written in Danish or English in agreement with the supervisor and in accordance with the profile description.
The thesis may be prepared either in a group of two students or individually. Students writing the report in a group also carry out the oral defence as a group. The assessment of the performance at the exam must be done for each student individually. The examiner ensures that the oral defence is conducted in such a way that individual assessment of the performance of each student can take place. The Academic Study Board may grant permission to individual oral examination if a student applies for this and gives a reason for the application.
The thesis report including supplementary material shall be submitted through SDUassignment in blackboard. The front page shows the title of the thesis in English and in Danish (if relevant). The thesis report is to include an abstract in English or another language agreed upon with the supervisor. The abstract may be no more than 3 pages in length. The front page must show the title of the thesis in English and in Danish (if relevant).
The thesis report may be rejected in case formal requirements to a large extent are not fulfilled. Examples could be lack of resume or bibliography. Another example is if the number of pages in the report to a large extent deviates from the required number of pages. The supervisor decides a possible rejection. In this case, the grade will be “rejected” and an attempt has been used.
The oral defence lasts a maximum of 1 hour for the one student and 1½ hours for two students, including grading. The oral defence shall commence with a brief (maximum 15 minutes for one student, 25 minutes for two students) presentation of the most significant conclusions reached in the thesis and the theoretical and empirical bases form them. After the presentation, the student(s) is/are examined with the report and the presentation as a point of departure.
Grading is based on an overall assessment of the report and the performance at the oral defence. The grade is given on the basis of the extent to which the thesis report and the oral defence together fulfil the objectives that are described in the goals description in the above. The abstract is considered in the grading of the thesis. Grading will take place according to the Danish 7-step scale. An external examiner participates in the exam. Spelling and writing skills are considered in the grading of the thesis in accordance with the regulations contained in the curriculum.
The time and place of the oral defence is announced on the examination webpage.
The defence is public, unless otherwise stated, and takes place at the University of Southern Denmark, Odense.
Prerequisites
| Type | Prerequisite name | Prerequisite course |
|---|---|---|
| Exam | B560018112, Supervisor agreement | B560018101, Master Thesis |
EKA
B560018102
External comment
NOTE - This course is identical with the former course 9418001 Master's Thesis - MSc. in Economics (cand.oecon.).
Used examination attempts in the former identical course will be transferred.
Courses that are identical with former courses that are passed according to applied rules cannot be retaken.
The student is automatically registered for the first examination attempt when the student is registered for a course or course element with which one or more examinations are associated. Withdrawal of registration is not possible, and students who fail to participate in an examination have used one examination attempt, unless the University has made an exemption due to special circumstances.
If a student does not meet the established university prerequisites for taking the exam, he or she has used one examination attempt, unless the University has made an exemption due to special circumstances.
Courses offered
| Offer period | Offer type | Profile | Education | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2019 | Mandatory | Master of Science in Economics (with profile in Health Care Management and Economics) | MSc in Economics | Master of Science (MSc) in Economics | Odense | 4 |
| Spring 2019 | Mandatory | Master of Science in Economics (with profile in Finance and Economics) | MSc in Economics | Master of Science (MSc) in Economics | Odense | 4 |
| Spring 2019 | Mandatory | Master of Science in Economics (with profile in Microeconomics) | MSc in Economics | Master of Science (MSc) in Economics | Odense | 4 |
| Spring 2019 | Mandatory | Master of Science in Economics (with profile in Accounting and Economics) | MSc in Economics | Master of Science (MSc) in Economics | Odense | 4 |
| Spring 2019 | Mandatory | Master of Science in Economics (with profile in Macroeconomics: Growth and Fluctuations) | MSc in Economics | Master of Science (MSc) in Economics | Odense | 4 |
| Spring 2019 | Mandatory | Master of Science in Economics (with profile in Economics) | MSc in Economics | Master of Science (MSc) in Economics | Odense | 4 |
| Spring 2019 | Mandatory | Master of Science in Economics (with profile in Economics and Project Management) | MSc in Economics | Master of Science (MSc) in Economics | Odense | 4 |
| Spring 2019 | Mandatory | Master of Science in Economics (with profile in Finance) | MSc in Economics | Master of Science (MSc) in Economics | Odense | 4 |
| Fall 2018 | Mandatory | Master of Science in Economics (with profile in Economics) | MSc in Economics | Master of Science (MSc) in Economics | Odense | 4 |
| Fall 2018 | Mandatory | Master of Science in Economics (with profile in Finance) | MSc in Economics | Master of Science (MSc) in Economics | Odense | 4 |
| Fall 2019 | Mandatory | Master of Science in Economics (with profile in Health Care Management and Economics) | MSc in Economics | Master of Science (MSc) in Economics | Odense | 4 |
| Fall 2019 | Mandatory | Master of Science in Economics (with profile in Finance and Economics) | MSc in Economics | Master of Science (MSc) in Economics | Odense | 4 |
| Fall 2019 | Mandatory | Master of Science in Economics (with profile in Microeconomics) | MSc in Economics | Master of Science (MSc) in Economics | Odense | 4 |
| Fall 2019 | Mandatory | Master of Science in Economics (with profile in Accounting and Economics) | MSc in Economics | Master of Science (MSc) in Economics | Odense | 4 |
| Fall 2019 | Mandatory | Master of Science in Economics (with profile in Macroeconomics: Growth and Fluctuations) | MSc in Economics | Master of Science (MSc) in Economics | Odense | 4 |
| Fall 2019 | Mandatory | Master of Science in Economics (with possibility of specialization) | MSc in Economics | Master of Science (MSc) in Economics | Odense | 4 |
| Fall 2019 | Mandatory | Master of Science in Economics (with profile in Economics and Project Management) | MSc in Economics | Master of Science (MSc) in Economics | Odense | 4 |
| Fall 2019 | Mandatory | Master of Science in Economics (with profile in Finance) | MSc in Economics | Master of Science (MSc) in Economics | Odense | 4 |