Program Overview

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Internship-based Master's Thesis

Postgraduate Course

The Internship-based Master's thesis is a postgraduate course with the following details:

• ECTS credits: 30
• Teaching semesters: Autumn, Spring
• Course code: SDG351
• Number of semesters: 1
• Teaching language: English or Norwegian

Course Description

The objective of the Master's thesis is for the student to develop knowledge of and first-hand experience with interdisciplinary problem-solving related to sustainability. The student must have completed the course SDG349 Internship, with the internship as the basis for the master thesis.

Objectives and Content

In the thesis, the student will provide a detailed account of the aims and objectives of the internship period, as well as observations and experience gathered during the internship, and systematically discuss and reflect on the problem-solving approach, applying relevant research literature. The design and methodological approach of the thesis shall be developed by the student together with the supervisors.

Learning Outcomes

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

• The student can demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the sustainability area relevant for a particular internship-based case study, and apply concepts, knowledge, and theory of sustainability and interdisciplinarity to that area.
• The student can consult and apply relevant research literature in the analysis of a sustainability project.
• The student can design and carry out the writing of a project report of high quality according to appropriate methodological and ethical standards.
• The student can discuss strengths and limitations of the student's chosen (inter)disciplinary, methodological, and conceptual approach in relation to other possible approaches and perspectives.
• The student can discuss and reflect on the institutional and societal dimensions of the thesis subject.
• The student can communicate the issues dealt with in the thesis in an understandable form to specialist and general audiences.
• The student can account for ethical and research integrity norms and principles relevant to sustainability-related research.

ECTS Credits and Level of Study

• ECTS credits: 30
• Level of study: Master

Semester of Instruction

The semester of instruction for this course is Spring.

Required and Recommended Previous Knowledge

• Required previous knowledge: SDG310, SDG311, SDG312, and SDG349
• Recommended previous knowledge: None

Access to the Course

The course is open to students enrolled in the Master's programme in sustainability at the University of Bergen.

Teaching and Learning Methods

The students will attend 5-10 seminars (10-20 hours) each semester. The seminar sessions will include:

• Project description taking into account topics from mandatory and elective courses
• Research preparations
• After the research Students will receive supervision for their work on their Master's thesis from members of the teaching staff, covering both mandatory and specialization topics. A supervision contract outlining the rights and responsibilities of the student, the supervisors, and the department administration is signed by all the parties.

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

Participation at seminars (minimum 75% attendance) is required. Participation entails:

• Presentation of own thesis
• Student peer review of works of others

Forms of Assessment

The forms of assessment for this course are:

• Submission of the Master's thesis (40-70 pages, requirements may vary depending on the field of specialization)
• Subsequent oral examination The subject for discussion at the oral examination is the student's Master's thesis. Following the oral examination, the final grade for the Master's thesis may be adjusted up or down by one on the grading scale. Both parts of the exam must receive a passing grade in order to get a passing grade in the course.

Grading Scale

The grading scale for this course is A-F.

Assessment Semester

The assessment semester for this course is Autumn.

Course Evaluation

The course will be evaluated in accordance with the quality assurance system of the University of Bergen.

Programme Committee and Course Coordinator

The Program Board is responsible for the academic content and structure of the study program, and for the quality of all the subjects therein. The programme board for the Master's Programme in Sustainability is the course coordinator.

Course Administrator

The Center for the study of the sciences and humanities (Senter for vitskapstori, SVT) is administratively responsible for the program.