course-details-portlet

KJ3950

Master Thesis in Chemistry

Assessments and mandatory activities may be changed until September 20th.

Credits 30
Level Second degree level
Course start Autumn 2025 / Spring 2026
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction English and norwegian
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement Master's thesis with adjusting oral exam

About

About the course

Course content

Supervised research project of 30 ECTS credits within chemistry for students in the study program Natural Science with Teacher Education (MLREAL). The field of study for the research project can be chemistry or chemistry didactics.

In the thesis, the candidate shall reflect briefly on its relevance for the candidate as a teacher, and its contribution to/relevance for sustainable development in light of for example the UN sustainability goals or sustainable development as a multidisciplinary subject in Norwegian schools, as described in the National Curriculum.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

After completing the course, the student can:

  • Describe up-to-date scientific theories, relevant methods, and techniques within the field of study of the master's thesis.
  • Analyze research questions on the basis of knowledge within international research in the field of study of the master's thesis.

Skills

After completing the course, the student can:

  • Carry out an independent research project with supervision following present-day norms for research ethics.
  • Systematically acquire knowledge via, for instance, literature searches.
  • Gather and analyze samples/data, carry out statistical analysis, and interpret and present research results in accordance with the terminology in the field of study.
  • Assess their research activities and findings, evaluating their quality and significance in relation to current advancements within the field of study and their profession.
  • Write an extensive scientific report (the master's thesis), adhering to the conventions of the field and intended for an academic audience.

General knowledge

After completing the course, the student can:

  • Disseminate scientific research questions and results in written form and orally.
  • Carry out and solve advanced tasks and projects, both independently and in collaboration with their supervisor(s).
  • Critically assess their own contributions to research projects.
  • Continuously develop their scientific competence, for instance by engaging in research and staying updated on current literature.
  • Apply their knowledge and skills to contribute to new ideas and innovative solutions within chemistry.

Learning methods and activities

Independent research work under supervision. For general information about writing your thesis, please see the NTNU web pages about Academic writing. See also the description in Masters thesis in natural sciences and informatics, and note that you:

  • must find a project and supervisor(s) at the Department for your master's thesis,
  • must submit a signed master's contract (between you, the supervisor(s), and the Department) to the study advisor at the Department.

Before beginning with the master project work, the student must complete the compulsory HSE training at the Department and the Faculty.

The standard contact period with the supervisor(s) is 25 hours. Any contact between the supervisor(s) and student beyond this, depends on the supervisor(s) choice of supervision methodology. The workload for the thesis corresponds to 800-900 hours.

Further on evaluation

The evaluation is based on the written master's thesis and the oral exam. The grade is given in accordance with the national regulation for the assessment and description of grades for Master's theses in MST subjects.

The master's thesis is to be submitted in NTNU's examination system (Inspera Assessment). Information about the submission process can be found at Submitting bachelor and master thesis - for students.

The deadline for submitting the master's thesis is regulated by the study program, please see Masters thesis in natural sciences and informatics. You must apply for an extension of the deadline if you are delayed in your work and unable to meet the deadline.

The oral examination must take place within 1 month after the master's thesis has been submitted. The oral examination evaluates the candidate's mastery of the theory and work described in the written thesis. The oral examination consists of a public lecture (20-30 minutes) given at a level accessible to fellow master's students in chemistry, followed by a more in-depth examination of the thesis (30-60 minutes).

The final grade is based on the written thesis and the oral examination as described in the assessment guideline. If you fail your master's thesis, you may submit a new or revised thesis once. While you cannot improve an awarded passing grade by submitting a new thesis, you may appeal the awarded grade.

The deadline for the assessment of the master's thesis is 3 months.

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From
KJ3950 30 sp Autumn 2016
This course has academic overlap with the course in the table above. If you take overlapping courses, you will receive a credit reduction in the course where you have the lowest grade. If the grades are the same, the reduction will be applied to the course completed most recently.

Subject areas

  • Chemistry

Contact information

Course coordinator

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Chemistry

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: Master's thesis with adjusting oral exam
Grade: Letter grades

Ordinary examination - Autumn 2025

Master's thesis with adjusting oral exam
Weighting 100/100 Exam system Inspera Assessment

Ordinary examination - Spring 2026

Master's thesis with adjusting oral exam
Weighting 100/100 Exam system Inspera Assessment