Course content

The Master’s Degree Thesis consists of a mandatory Master’s Degree Seminar and the written Thesis. The seminar functions as a preparation which enables the student to do his or her best possible work. The seminar is arranged to take place in the third semester of the Master’s Degree course of study and will consist of presentations and discussions of each of the students’ planes and academic problems in connection with their master’s work. At the seminar, supervision will be provided concerning various strategies for carrying out the master’s work and also the practical dimension of writing the thesis. Students will also be given an introduction to research ethics and actual academic/ethical rules and regulations. The seminar will end with each of the students presenting his or her methodological design and master’s work results. Participants in this seminar must have been accepted before delivery of their Master’s Degree Thesis can take place. A student can apply for a dispensation from mandatory attendance at the seminar if the student spends the semester abroad. In such cases, the student must deliver a written, extensive design of his or her research at the end of the third semester or at the beginning of the fourth semester (at some point within the second week of the fourth semester).

The Master’s Thesis is written in the students’ special area of expertise. The thesis consists of an empirical scientific investigation in a chosen subject of cognitive and/or biological psychology, preferably combined with one or more of the elective Master’s Degree courses. Students shall contact the teacher for advice on a choice of topic for the thesis. There are rules connected to the preparation of the thesis and criteria for evaluation of it. These can be reviewed by application to the Institute.

Supervision is an essential component of the work done for a Master’s Degree. It assures that the student is provided the necessary knowledge and involves the necessary quality assurance of the collection and handling of data in addition to seeing that this takes place according to the rules and regulations for ethical research. Supervision is therefore a mandatory part of the studies for those students wishing to deliver a Master’s Thesis. The deadline for application and acceptance of a subject for the thesis and for appointment of a supervisor will be announced by the Institute. The application form is to be filed at the Department of Psychology.

The thesis should either be an article which can be published or a manuscript which does not exceed 120 pages. There are rules connected to the preparation of the thesis and criteria for evaluation of it. These can be reviewed by application to the Department.

The examination in PSY3901 is decided during the Master’s Degree student’s final semester and students must report to the examination at the Department with this form in addition to the ordinary examination registration. Six copies of the Master’s Degree thesis must be submitted to the Department.

Learning outcome

After having finished the Master’s work, the student should develop his or her abilities in order to:
• carry out a scientific project
• think logically and in terms of principles
• work independently
• carry out a large work project within the given time parameters

Learning methods and activities

Teaching method and activities: Self-study with supervision.
Form of assessment: A Master’s thesis in monograph form or a collection of articles. Oral examination based on the Master thesis work (A through F).
In addition to regular exam registration, the students are to announce the delivery of their Master`s Thesis on a specific formular, not later than 8 weeks before submission. The Master`s Thesis must be submitted in six copies. Deadline for submission is May 15th if the student wants the final examination result registered before the end of the spring semester.

Compulsory assignments

• Supervision
• Participate in master´s degree seminars and approved presentation

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

See formal requirements.

Required previous knowledge

All examinations for the Master’s degree in Social and Community Psychology must have been successfully passed.

Credit reductions