Entry requirements

Completed 30 credits from basic courses (A-level) in business studies, and attended 30 credits intermediate courses (B-level) in business studies of which at least 15 credits must be completed.

Learning outcomes

The key objective of this course is to present a comprehensive overview of business challenges connected to the various fields of business studies. Furthermore the course presents relevant research methods that aim to enable the student to complete a Bachelor thesis. Upon completing the course, the student will be able to:

• present and discuss central issues in business studies
• understand, communicate and discuss concepts and perspectives connected to various areas within the field of business studies
• understand the foundations and origins of business studies concepts related to either areas of marketing and organisation or accounting and finance
• use interdisciplinary insights and perspectives from different areas of business studies such as marketing and organisation or accounting and finance, and critically reflect upon these
• understand and discuss ethical business dilemmas
• discuss how different research methods can be applied in business studies research
• analyse practical problems in relation to business studies using scientific methods and techniques, and to communicate, orally and in writing, the results and conclusions
• independently perform a business study research project that is presented in a Bachelor thesis and at a public seminar

Content

As the course is a part of the final semester of the Bachelor program, it also relates to the thesis that students will finalize during this semester. Therefore the course consists of three modules, 1) research methods, 2) aspects of business studies, and 3) a Bachelor thesis

The first module, Research Methods presents a broad overview of quantitative and qualitative research methods in business studies. The purpose is to help the students to gain a better insight and understanding of some central issues facing business studies research. Another purpose of this part is to help students find and formulate an interesting and relevant topic for their Bachelor thesis.

The second module of the course covers different aspects of business studies. The aspects highlighted are based upon current and ongoing research within the department of business studies. For example it may continue in depth studies of specific areas within marketing and organisation, or accounting and finance. In the beginning of the course the student are presented to the different aspects that will be studied in the course. Based on this the student then chooses the specific aspect to focus on in the Bachelor thesis part.

The first two modules are a platform for the third part, the Bachelor thesis. Based on studies of research methods and specific aspects of business studies, the student independently perform a business study research project that is presented in a Bachelor thesis

Instruction

The first module of the course is based on a series of lectures and seminars. The students are given tasks related to general research methods and specifically their forthcoming Bachelor thesis.

The second module of the course contains studies of central aspects of business studies. In the beginning of the course the different aspects that are studied are presented. Based on this presentation the students choose what aspect to do in-depth studies of. Furthermore in this part a combination of lectures/guest lectures, seminars/web seminars with student-based activities as well as problem-based assignments and written reports is used to further develop the students’ understanding of the topics raised.

The third module is based on a series of seminars. Here ideas for research projects are discussed and elaborated and gradually transformed into a Bachelor thesis. When working with the research project the students are organised in pairs.

The language of instruction is Swedish

Assessment

For module one and two students will be assessed on basis of both individual and group assignments. In the third module the completed Bachelor thesis is assessed.

The final grade of the course is based on an assessment of all the modules. The examination is organised, so that the grades can be achieved within respective course module. Module one and two corresponds in total to15 credits, and part three, the Bachelor thesis, is 15 credits.

Grading criteria are presented in the study guide provided at the start of the course.

Grades will be given in accordance with the Swedish grading system. The grades VG (pass with distinction), G (pass) and U (fail) will be used.

Required supplemental work for part one and two may be completed without being re-registered on the course. Part three, the Bachelor thesis, may also be completed after the end of the course. No further thesis supervision will be offered for a thesis that isn’t completed at the end of the course.

Uppsala University does not accept cheating and plagiarism. Suspected incidents of cheating or plagiarism are reported to the Disciplinary Committee of the University, which may issue a formal warning to the student or expel the student from the university for six months.

NOTE: Only completed courses can count toward a degree.

Transitional provisions

The course does not overlap or substitute any previous course