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DEVG4090 - Master Thesis

Course content

Writing the master thesis is the core of the masterprogram. The master thesis is an individual research paper which should meet the general requirements to a scientific publication. You will be responsible for deciding the theme of the thesis, which method to apply and carrying out the required research.

All students must have a main academic supervisor appointed by the Department.

Learning outcomes

The objective of the master thesis is to teach you how to carry out an independent piece of research on a development issue. Working on the master thesis should enable you to address a specific theme in a scientifically sound, thorough and precise manner. You will gain insight into the different stages of the research process and enhance your ability to see the relationship between choice of research question, theoretical perspective, research design and choice of method.

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.

The examination in this course is not available for external candidates. Only students admitted to the course may sit for the examination.

Prerequisites

Formal prerequisites

Students must hold a Bachelors degree in Human Geography.

Teaching

Teaching for this course consists of individual academic supervision given over two semesters. You will normally meet regularly with you academic supervisor.

Teaching takes place throughout the semester.

Exam information

The assessment of the master thesis consists of two parts:

1. an evaluation of the thesis
2. an oral examintaion

The thesis is assigned a temporary grade before the oral examintaion. You are entitled to recieve an explanation for the grade assigned the thesis. The final grade is assigned after the oral examination.

Exam resources

No special exam resources are allowed.

Language of examination

The thesis must be written in English, and the oral examination will be held in English.

Assessment and grading

Course grades are awarded on a descending scale using alphabetic grades from A to E for passes and F for fail. Read more about the grading system .

Explanations and appeals

You can request an explanation of the grade you receive for your Master thesis. You request this explanation by sending an email to the ISS exam advisor within one week of your oral defense. An explanation of the evaluation of your oral presentation is given at the oral defense.

You can appeal the grade you receive for your Master thesis by sending a written request within three weeks of your oral defense, or three weeks after you received the explanation of your grade. The appeal should be written in the form of a normal letter. You decide yourself whether or not you would like to explain the reason for your appeal. Appeals regarding the exam commission’s evaluation of your oral presentation must be requested when the commission gives its evaluation at the oral defense.

If you appeal your thesis grade without requesting an explanation of the grade, the original exam commission will be asked for a written explanation of the grade that will be sent to the appeals commission. The two commissions should not have spoken contact, as the student is to be aware of everything the original commission communicates with the new commission.

It is also important to know that the appeals commission can give a grade that is higher or lower than the original grade.

Possibility of make-up exams and re-takes

You can usually resit an exam, but the conditions depend on whether you had a valid reason for absence from the regular exam. Read more about resitting an exam .

Exam options for students with special needs

Students may apply for access to alternative exam resources or exam forms on the basis of chronic illness and/or special needs that create a marked disadvantage to other students in the exam situation. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.

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