ICTLTHESIS - Master thesis
Course content
Your thesis is the culmination of your master’s degree studies. The substantive portion of your thesis should be no more than 18,000 words (i.e. introduction, all chapters, conclusion). Footnotes are included in the 18,000 words. Not included in the wordcount: Preface, table of content, acknowledgements, bibliography, tables and registers.
The thesis is an independent work, and the topic is of the student’s own choice within the field of the programme.
Learning outcome
The purpose of your thesis is to develop, exercise and demonstrate your expertise in the particular field of your thesis, as well as of your general scholarly competence. Your thesis should be an independent contribution to scholarly knowledge and discourse. The objective is for a student to engage in research work. The student will learn how to find relevant material, analyze the material and make a systematic presentation.
Admission
Students at UiO must apply for courses in StudentWeb.
International applicants, if you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.
To be allowed to write the thesis - ICTLTHESIS, you must be enrolled in the Information and Communication Technology (master's 1 1/2-years).
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
No obligatory prerequisites beyond the minimum requirements for entrance to higher education in Norway.
Teaching
The form of teaching is independent work and seminars. Before starting writing, students take part in seminars which prepares them for the process of thesis writing. The seminars will offer necessary tools and guidelines for researching and writing a good scholarly thesis based on independent thinking and sound argument. Supervision is mandatory, and students are given 15 hours individual supervision. The supervisor must be appointed by the Faculty.
Practical information about the thesis writing (guidelines, deadlines)
a) Remember to register for the thesis in the Studentweb within the deadline: September 1.
b) Students will find important practical material in how to write the master's thesis in the Guidelines for writing a thesis – formal and practical requirements
Students are required to read this information.
c) Thesis template: Students are required to use the thesis template, which can be downloaded here (download the template on your own computer): thesis template (Word/Open Office)
d) Students who need assistance with the template, may contact 'Juriteket' at Domus Nova, 3rd floor. They will give you excellent guidance.
e) Ethical guidelines for supervisors at the University of Oslo
Deadline of submission: 1 December (eventually 15 May):
If this date turns out to be a Saturday or Sunday, the deadline is extended to the next working day (normally the day after).
The main deadline is 1 December. If you are not able to meet this deadline, next deadline is 15 May. If you deliver within 15 May, your diploma will show that you have submitted your thesis during spring and thus has been delayed in your studies. All students must rememeber to register in Studentweb for the thesis and pay the semester fee within the deadline 1 September (or 1 February for the 15 May deadline).
Submission of thesis:
- Submission of 4 hard copies to the Information Centre, Law faculty, Domus Academica building (DA) by 15:00 on due date.
- Submission of receipt which shows that the thesis has been submitted in DUO
- Supervisor form (to be filled in if external supervisor only). Supervisor form
- Download the Self-declaration form regarding cheating here
- Restricted access to thesis form (if desired)
- Submission in DUO (electronic library at UiO) is mandatory. Submission is to be done here: http://www.duo.uio.no/englishindex.html
Remember to calculate 4 days of printing time(if there are holidays and weekends in between, you must calculate longer time than 4 days).
Examination
Written assignment of Master’s thesis. Grades A – F (F=fail).
Submission of thesis:
See above under 'Teaching'.
The following criterias are used when assessing the thesis:
- A clear, well-defined problem
- Originality in the treatment of the topic (not simply repetition of what others have said, but at least in part a genuine original contribution)
- Quality of the arguments presented
- Quality and clearness of the structure of the presentation
- Use of literature (familiarity with the relevant literature, judicious choice of relevant literature and documentation)
- Soundness of the conclusions in relation to the treatment
Language of examination
The Master's thesis should be written in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
You may request an explanation of your grades, and you may also appeal against your grades or make a complaint about formal examination errors. Read more about explanations and appeals.
Special examination arrangements
If you have a disability or a health problem that entails significant inconvenience in an examination situation, you may be considered for special examination arrangements. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.
Please see Detailed regulations for the Faculty of Law, Chapter 3 3 regarding application, responsibilities and special measures.