Entry requirements

30 credits from basic courses (A-level) in business studies, 30 credits from intermediate courses (B-level) in business studies and 15 credits from intermediate courses (C-level) in business studies.

Learning outcomes

The overall objectives of a degree project are that it should be an independent, integrative, and in-depth piece of work, based on the student developing their ability to conduct investigations on a scientific basis and to develop their presentation skills. The ability to conduct investigations on a scientific basis includes exploring opportunities, identifying problems, gathering relevant information, formulating research questions, and examining them using scientific methods. This requires methodological knowledge as well as the ability to see and handle problems from different perspectives and starting points. Presentation skills refer to the ability to write clear and relevant reports within given time frames. Presentation skills also include presenting orally and critically reflecting on and commenting on written material.

The course learning outcomes are divided into three areas: knowledge and understanding; competence and skills; and judgement and approach.

Knowledge and understanding

After completing the course, the student shall have developed:

• in-depth knowledge and understanding of the scientific foundations of the main field of study, including both broad knowledge in business administration and advanced knowledge within the chosen specialisation,
• understanding of research problems and theory,
• knowledge and understanding of different theoretical and methodological approaches in business administration, and to independently apply these.

Competence and skills

After completing the course, the student shall have developed:

• the ability to demonstrate originality through independently formulated and well-justified research problems and the choice of a theoretical perspective within the field of business administration,
• an independent and critical approach to different theoretical, methodological, and empirical phenomena, and the ability to integrate knowledge for analysis and assessment,
• the ability to identify, formulate, and answer research questions based on different theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches,
• the ability to independently delimit, design, and carry out a limited research task with relevance in relation to previous research and practice,
• the ability to independently present a scientific degree project both in writing and orally,
• independence in being able to discuss, on scientific grounds, one’s own and others’ degree projects orally and contribute to seminar discussions,
• the ability to plan, design, and carry out a degree project within given time frames.

Judgement and approach

After completing the course, the student shall have developed:

• the ability to make scientific judgements and reflections within the field of business administration, taking into account societally relevant issues such as ethical aspects of the research process, and to demonstrate awareness of responsible conduct of studies,
• the ability to lead oneself and others in the work process,
• the ability to work in a group and make joint decisions, as well as to evaluate and reflect on the work process and one’s own role in it,
• independence in the learning process and the ability to identify the need for further knowledge acquisition.

Content

The course consists of lectures, supervision and compulsory seminars. These are intended to give students, within the given conditions and time frames, the opportunity to test and independently choose ways to identify, delimit, and investigate problems, as well as to present the results of their analysis. The work includes problematisation, discussions of methodological and theoretical perspectives, information gathering, data analysis, the formulation of scientifically grounded conclusions, and continuous oral and written presentations of the work at different stages up to the final seminar, where the project as a whole is presented and discussed.

Instruction

The course is taught in Swedish. The main part of the course consists of independent group work. Teaching consists of lectures, supervision, and compulsory seminars. In most cases, the independent work shall under normal circumstances be carried out in groups of two to three students.

Assessment

A single overall grade is awarded for the entire course (15 credits).

The course is examined through an overall assessment based on:

• the final version of the written thesis,
• the student’s individual contributions during the seminars in the form of presenting and defending the thesis, acting as an opponent, and active participation in discussions,
• a compulsory individual written assignment in the form of a reflective epilogue, in which the student presents their individual insights from the joint thesis work.

Grading criteria are presented in the study guide applicable to each course offering. The grades used are Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G), or Fail (U). The right to supervision ends at the final seminar. To pass the course, at least the grade G is required for all components. To receive the course grade VG, the student must also receive VG for both the individual seminar participation and the degree project.

For a student who has passed the seminar component but has not received a Pass grade for the thesis, it is possible to submit a revised version of the thesis for assessment at a later submission date without re-registration. If the student has not received a Pass grade for the seminar component, including any required supplements related to it, the entire course (including all examination components) must be retaken, which can only be done by re-registering for a future course offering. Students who do not achieve a Pass grade on the reflective epilogue will be offered a re-examination opportunity within the same course offering. If a Pass grade is not achieved on the reflective epilogue within the current course offering, the entire course must be retaken through re-registration as described above. A Pass grade on the reflective epilogue is valid only for the current term. If the student does not pass the seminar series and/or the thesis, the reflective epilogue must be redone. All materials and assignments included in the course must be completed by the deadline stated in the study guide.

If there are special reasons, the examiner may make exceptions to the specified examination format and allow a student to be examined in another way. Special reasons may, for example, include a decision regarding special educational support from the University’s coordinator.

Uppsala University does not accept cheating and plagiarism. Students suspected of involvement in any form of cheating and/or plagiarism will be reported to the Vice-Chancellor. Disciplinary measures are a warning or suspension from studies for a limited period.

NOTE: Only a completed course may be included in a degree.

Other regulations

The course substitutes/overlaps among others Bachelor's Thesis 2FE407, Bachelor's Thesis 2FE530, Thesis Project STS - Business Studies 2FE029 and partly Bachelor Course, Accounting Issues 2FE428, Bachelor Course, Marketing, Organisation and International Business 2FE429, Bachelor's Level Business Studies: Theory and Methodology 2FE979.

The course is read partially integrated with each reading course, respectively, but the main part of the thesis work takes place during the second half of the semester.