Course content

Preparatory project for the master's thesis. This includes:

1. Choosing a research assignment, optionally an advanced development task with research elements;
2. Addressing the problem by studying background literature in the field, current research literature and, if relevant, through discussions with the "problem owner";
3. Describing the motivation for the assignment;
4. Describing the state of the art / research front in the field;
5. Formulating the specific objective(s) / research question(s) / hypothesis(es) for the master's thesis;
6. Describing a proposed method to achieve the objective(s) and, if relevant, verify the result;
7. if relevant, becoming familiar with the tools that are planned to be used in the work;
8. Preparing an initial plan for the work towards the master's thesis, including: description of sub-tasks, progress, resource utilization and milestones.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

1. Possesses specialized insight and good understanding of the research frontier in a selected part of the topic covered by the Master Program;
2. Is able to apply the knowledge and understanding from the topics covered by the Master Program to new and unfamiliar settings.

Skills:

1. Is able to handle theoretical issues, and solve complex practical problems, independently in the area covered by the Master Program:
2. Is able to use relevant and suitable methods when carrying out research and development activities in the area covered by the Master Program;
3. Is able to critically review relevant literature when solving new or complex problems and is able to integrate the findings into the proposed solution;
4. Is able to plan and complete an independent and limited research or development project with guidance and in adherence to research ethics;
5. Is able to demonstrate critical thinking especially in problem statement and planning.

General competence:

1. An understanding of academic writing style and documentation structure;
2. The ability to formulate a research problem and research questions;
3. The ability to write a project report / project plan according to the (best) common practice;
4. Able to give a brief oral presentations of work and results and answer questions on this.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) addressed by this course

The Research Planning course should meet the following UN SD goals:

1. Goal 9, target 9.5 - Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries
   • The students will be working on developing protocols/algorithms for various information security problems such as critical infrastructure, biometrics, forensics, systems security, or information security management.
   • The knowledge gained by executing the research projects will equip the students to improve the quality of research and development in their countries of origin to a higher level.

Learning methods and activities

The following learning methods are used:

• Seminars/lectures to cover generic elements in the project work;
• Individual (or group) project work with supervision;
• Compulsory oral presentation of the project work. It is also compulsory to attend the entire presentation day. Students are expected to be active in the discussions following other students' project presentations; specific responsibilities may be assigned.

Compulsory assignments

• Presence during whole presentation day

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

Admission to the master programme in Information Security (MIS/MISD, MISEB) is required.

Required previous knowledge

IMT4110 Scientific Methodology and Communication or IMT4192 Research and Scientific Methods in HCI or IMT4421 Scientific Methodology

Course materials

Background material for the individual assignments is made available to the student at the beginning of the project.

The student must search through literature to find the material necessary to complete the specialization project.

Credit reductions