PECOS4094 - Master's Thesis
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
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Course content
The master's thesis is an individual research paper which you will start writing on in your 3rd semester, and your thesis should meet the general requirements to scientific publication. It allows for normative or descriptive treatment of empirical as well as theoretical issues.
You will be personally responsible for deciding the theme, research question and method of investigation and for undertaking the research.
The master's thesis shall normally comprise between 16000 and 35000 words, (not included references) constituting about 50-90 pages, including abstract, list of contents, notes and attachments.
Master's thesis that are delivered overdue, will be administratively rejected if they have more than 35.000 words all included, See also Guidelines for the Master's Thesis for more information.
Learning outcome
When you have successfully completed the master’s thesis you are expected to
- Be able to select a research question that can be answered in a scientifically sound manner within the given amount of time
- Be able to work systematically to use that time effectively
- Be familiar with the different stages in the research process
- Have acquired the ability to see the relationships between choice of research question, theoretical perspective, research design and choice of method
- Have carried out an independent piece of research on a peace and/or conflict-related theme in a scientifically sound manner
Students who complete the work on their master's thesis in the nominal length of time and meet the set submission deadline will receive a certificate confirming this.
Admission
The examination in this course is not available for external candidates. Only students admitted to the course may sit for the examination.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
Students must be admitted to the PECOS master's programme in order to hand in and sit for the exam in PECOS4094. It is advisable that the students have taken all mandatory courses. A supervisor must also be assigned before the student can start writing the master's thesis.
Teaching
Teaching for this course consists of a combination of collective-and individual academic supervision.
Collective supervision
The collective supervision for students who follow the track in political science consists of PECOS4080 Design Seminar, which is held in the beginning of the third semester.
A supervisor must be assigned before you can attend PECOS4080 Design Seminar, and this seminar is mandatory for all students at the Political science track. The course comprises a series of seminars.The number of seminars will depend on the number of students attending the course. We will devote 45 minutes to each student’s outline.
The first session is mandatory.
You must have attended and participated actively in the seminar for 2/3 of the course (including the first session). Each participant must present an outline of his/her master’s thesis and serve as opponent for at least one other student’s outline.
Individual supervision and thesis seminar
The individual supervision spans two semesters, and two semester only and consists of PECOS4092 Thesis Seminar 1 and PECOS4093 Thesis Seminar 2.
The deadline for applying for a supervisor is 20 June every year, see application for supervisor in English. You may answer the application in Norwegian or English.
The Department will invite you to an information meeting at the end of the 2rd semester and at the start of the 3rd and 4th term. Participation at information meetings is not mandatory, but we expect you to be there. Responding to inquiries regarding information communicated at joint meetings is not prioritized.
Information Meeting 1
Held in the end of the 2rd term (nominal). There will be information regarind how to apply for a supervisor.
Information Meeting 2
Held at the beginning of the 3rd term (nominal). There will be information about the rights and obligations in the supervision relationship, and the supervision contract will be signed.
Information Meeting 3
Held at the beginning of the 4th term (nominal). 1-2 weeks after the meeting, you also have to submit a progress report. Submission of the progress report is mandatory and is required in order to continue receiving supervision in the 4th and last semester.
You and your supervisor will normally meet approximately ten times during the course of these two semesters.
Have you conducted fieldwork? Here you can read about financial support of fieldwork.
Examination
Submission of the master's thesis and oral examination.
Submission of the thesis
Oral examination
Prior to the oral examination, the evaluation committee will award a preliminary grade to your Master's thesis. You will be notified of the grade and given an explanation for it when you present yourself for the oral examination. The questions that will be posed during the oral examination will be linked to your thesis and may, for example, relate to the research question, the structure of your thesis, choice of theoretical perspective, research design, choice of method, sources, or structure of your argument, etc.
Immediately after the oral examination, the committee will discuss whether your presentation justifies an adjustment to your preliminary grade. In other words, your performance in the oral examination will only be used to adjust the grade of your master’s thesis. Once the committee has determined the grade following the oral examination, you will be notified of the final grade.
Recommended norms for setting grades (Political Science)
The Faculty of Social Science is responsible for the exam(s), and exam(s) are/is normally held at The University of Oslo, Blindern campus. Other locations in Oslo may be used.
Formal requirements
All master's theses should have a preface where you thank all who have contributed positively to the Master's thesis, including your supervisor.
The following information should be on the front page:
- Semester (spring / Autumn), year
- Title (or subtitle)
- Name
- Master's in Political Science, Department of Political Science, University of Oslo
Here you can download the template for the master's thesis
Language of examination
English
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
- Explanation of grades - deadline and processing time
- Appeal about grades
- Complaint about formal exam errors
Ask for explanation of your grade in this course
Special examination arrangements
If you have a disability or a health problem that entails significant inconvenience in an examination situation, you may be considered for special examination arrangements. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.