course-details-portlet

MACS490

Master's Thesis - Applied Computer Science

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 Gjøvik
Examination arrangement Written Thesis and andjusting oral examination

About

About the course

Course content

The student must pick a specific problem of relevance to the master's program. The topic must represent a challenge within the specific area and must require that the student adheres to practices that are common within the area. The topic must be preapproved by the supervisor. The master thesis project is individual work.

Learning outcome

After successfully completing the Master's Thesis, the student should have the following knowledge, skills and general competences:

Knowledge:

- Possess specialised insight into a research and development area and relevant research and development work

- Possess knowledge of theories and methods being used in the area of specialisation

Skills:

- Are capable of defining a significant and complex research and development (R&D) problem relevant to the master program, clearly and independently, but with guidance from a supervisor

- Are capable of analyzing existing literature, theories, methods, and interpretations

- Are capable of critical thinking

- Are capable of planning and conducting necessary studies or experiments, organizing and analyzing data acquired, drawing defensible conclusions, and making recommendations based on these

- Are capable of documenting the results achieved in a research and development project, mastering the terminology of the field

General Competence:

- Are capable of acquiring new knowledge

- Are capable of communicating results of their research to a scientific audience

- Are able to reflect on their research and research area with respect to relationship to and impact on sustainability

Learning methods and activities

  • Project work
  • Seminar(s)
  • Tutoring

Compulsory requirements:

  • Master thesis agreement, signed by the student and the supervisor
  • The student must continuously be able to present project status to the supervisor and demonstrate that the project can be completed according to the current project plan or, alternatively, adjust the plan accordingly to ensure a successful outcome.

Other:

  • Seminars at campus Gjøvik, attendance is strongly recommended (but generally also available online)
  • The oral exam/presentation of the thesis takes place physically in Gjøvik. Specific requirements are provided via Blackboard throughout the semester.
  • Consult the Blackboard course room for further details

Further on evaluation

Re-sit: After failure, a student may submit a new or a revised thesis once. If the student chooses to submit a revised version of the thesis, this must be submitted in the semester following the failure.

Forms of assessment:

- Thesis

- Oral examination (adjusting the grade of the Thesis)

The project report is given a temporary grade. Individual oral examination/presentation may adjust the grade up or down to the final grade, according to performance.

- Students must pass both parts to pass the course.

- The oral examination takes place in Gjøvik. Physical attendance by the candidate is generally required.

As part of the thesis, students should be able to reflect on how the master thesis can relate to UN sustainable goals.

Specific conditions

Admission to a programme of study is required:
Applied Computer Science (MACS)

Required previous knowledge

Students need to be signed up for the MACS program. Students signed up to other degrees or exchange students cannot take the thesis.

All other courses in the study program (corresponding to 90 credits or more) must be passed before the work on the master thesis can be started.

Specific course prerequisite is the Research Project Planning course MACS4000 (or equivalent / to be decided by the Course responsible).

Subject areas

  • Computer Science

Contact information

Course coordinator

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Computer Science

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: Written Thesis and andjusting oral examination
Grade: Letter grades

Ordinary examination - Autumn 2025

Written Thesis and andjusting oral examination
Weighting 100/100 Examination aids Code A Exam system Inspera Assessment

Ordinary examination - Spring 2026

Written Thesis and andjusting oral examination
Weighting 100/100 Examination aids Code A Exam system Inspera Assessment