Entry requirements

Strategy and Contemporary Issues 15 credits and Scientific Methods in Business Research 7.5 credits, from the Master’s programmes in Business and Management, or Accounting and Financial Management, respectively. In addition, a Bachelor's degree of 180 credits is required, with at least 90 credits in business studies. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.

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 further developing their ability to conduct investigations on a scientific basis and to develop their academic writing and communication skills. The ability to conduct investigations on a scientific basis includes identifying opportunities, recognising problems, gathering relevant information, formulating research questions, and examining them using scientific methods. This requires methodological knowledge as well as the ability to view and handle problems from different perspectives and starting points. Academic writing and communication skills refer to the ability to write clear and relevant reports within given time frames. These 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

Upon completion of the course, the student shall have further 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, and the ability to independently apply social science research methods,
• knowledge and understanding of different philosophy-of-science and methodological approaches in business administration, and the ability to apply these independently.

Competence and skills

Upon completion of the course, the student shall have further 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 drawing 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

Upon completion of the course, the student shall have further developed:

• the ability to make scholarly 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 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 English. The main part of the course consists of independent group work. In most cases, the independent work is carried out in groups of two to three students. Teaching consists of seminars, which are compulsory, as well as supervision. A mandatory quiz on cheating and plagiarism is carried out.

Assessment

The examination consists of two modules:

1. Continuous examination, 15 credits (U, G, VG)
2. Quiz on cheating and plagiarism, 0 credits (U, G)

and the student will get one single grade, equivalent to 15 credits.

Module 1: The module 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 module, at least the grade G is required for all components. To receive the module 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 module (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 module 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 module must be completed by the deadline stated in the study guide.

Module 2: The examination is individual. For a student who has not attained a passing grade on Module 2, there is the opportunity to be examined without re-registration via a retake of the quiz at a subsequent course section.

For a Pass (G) as a collective grade of the entire course, a Pass (G) is required on both modules. For a Pass with distinction (VG) as a collective grade of the entire course, a Pass with distinction (VG) is required on Module 1, as well as a Pass (G) on Module 2.

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 overlaps Master’s Thesis 2FE622, Master's Thesis (Contract Education) 8FE620 and Master's Thesis 2FE972.