Course - Master's thesis in Biotechnology, dept. of biomedical laboratory science - HBIOT3910
Master's thesis in Biotechnology, dept. of biomedical laboratory science
New from the academic year 2025/2026
About
About the course
Course content
The master's thesis consists of an independent project work within the field of medical use of biotechnology. This project work will normally be linked to ongoing research activity at the department. During the master thesis, students will learn to work systematically within a specific area and learn to acquire detailed knowledge and skills through practical work and literature study.
Learning outcome
The student should learn in-depth inquiry in a specific theme within their chosen field, through scientific methods of work, i.e. collecting complementary knowledge through literature studies and searches in other references, to combine this with their own knowledge. The student should further complete a larger independent work, including to make a project plan with milestones, report interim results and write a master thesis according to acknowledged standards.
Learning methods and activities
All students doing their master's thesis at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology, should conclude an agreement regarding counselling. The master agreement, along with the project description and risk assessment, must be submitted by the applicable deadline before you begin the project. The standard contact period with the supervisor(s) is 50 hours, which is the standard for a master’s thesis of 60 credits. Any contact between supervisor(s) and student beyond this, depends on the supervisor(s) choice of supervision methodology. It is expected that the student works independently beyond the standard contact period. The master thesis (60 credits) amounts to 40 weeks of work.
Further on evaluation
The deadline for submission of the thesis is 15th of May, unless otherwise agreed with the Department.
It is mandatory for all to have conducted a risk assessment of the master thesis project prior to starting your thesis. The risk assessment is conducted with help from your supervisor.
After submission, the final assessment of the thesis is adjusted through an oral defense. The oral defense of the thesis project consists of a presentation and a discussion/examination. Permitted examination aids are to be determined in cooperation with your supervisor. In the event of a grade F (not passed), a new or revised thesis with significant changes may be submitted for assessment one more time. It is not possible to improve an awarded grade by submitting a new thesis.
Normal rules apply for appealing the grade. A new oral defense is only arranged if the new examiners disagree with the grade given in the original evaluation. The deadline for the assessment of the master’s thesis is 3 months.
Applications for an extended deadline must be submitted to the faculty.
For more information see the supplementary regulations for studies in natural sciences at IE, IV, NV and ØK faculties at NTNU.
Information about writing and submitting your master’s thesis: NTNU - Master's thesis.
National regulations have been established for evaluation of Master’s theses within the STEM fields: more info can be found on the page Description of grades for master's thesis.
Specific conditions
Admission to a programme of study is required:
Biotechnology (MBIOT5)
Required previous knowledge
Admission to MBIOT5 and approved master agreement. For further information on requirements, please refer to the supplementary regulations for studies in natural sciences at NTNU and the study plan for MBIOT5.
Course materials
Agreed with supervisor.
Subject areas
- Biotechnology