Main Field of Study and progress level:
Cognitive Science: Second cycle, contains degree project for Master of Arts/Master of Science (120 credits)
Grading scale: Pass with distinction, Pass, Fail
Responsible department: Department of Psychology
Revised by: Head of Department of Psychology, 2022-10-18
Contents
The student shall under supervision conduct and report an independent research project at an advanced level. This means that the student should deepen his or her knowledge within one of the research areas represented at the department where the thesis is written. The course gives training in formulating research questions and hypotheses, planning a study, testing, analysis and reporting results in a written form and at a seminar.
Expected learning outcomes
After the course the student should with a large degree of independence be able to:
Knowledge and understanding • Know and understand the theories and concepts relevant to the chosen subject area
Skills and abilities • Search for relevant literature in databases • Compile a review of a subject area • Formulate one or several research questions and hypotheses that emerge from recent empirical and/or theoretical knowledge within the chosen subject area • Plan a study based on the defined research problem with respect to study design and methods, and conduct the study • Choose adequate analysis methods, conduct analysis and draw reasonable conclusions thereof • Write a scientific thesis in a format appropriate for the chosen subject, and publish the report
Ability to evaluate and approach • Relate critically to one’s own results • Apply relevant principles of research ethics • Defend one’s work at a final seminar which means to objectively discuss strengths and weaknesses and to take into account the meaning of one’s own perspective and context • Perform opposition and in an objective and informative way present and discuss strengths and weaknesses in others work
Required Knowledge
Courses corresponding to 90 credits (hp) in cognitive science or equivalent, including 60 credits at an advanced level in cognitive science or equivalent. The courses in cognitive science can be in behavioural science, computer science, philosophy, linguistics or neuroscience out of which 7,5 ects must be in each of the five listed subjects and 15 ects must be in two of the listed subjects. 15 hp at the advanced level in methods and/or statistics is also required .
Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper Secondary course English A/6. Where the language of instruction is Swedish, applicants must prove proficiency in Swedish to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies.
Form of instruction
The student works closely with the supervisor and/or a research group. The research subject is chosen from one of the research subjects represented at the department where the thesis is written. The course also includes a number of seminars. Supervision is given within the time frame of the thesis course.
Examination modes
Examination contains five parts: a project plan, the written thesis, a defense of the thesis, a presentation and a critical discussion of another student’s thesis and publication of the thesis in DiVA. A project plan is presented at a seminar and examined. The independent report will be examined by an examination committee, both the written report and the work process will be judged. The defense, presentation and critical discussion is examined at a seminar. The grading scale includes failed, passed, and passed with distinction for the thesis. For the defense, presentation, critical discussion and publication in DiVA only the grades failed and passed are applied.
A student who has failed twice on an examination can request from the Board of Under-graduate Studies in Psychology that another teacher is appointed to grade the project work. The student is entitled 5 examinations within two years after the first registration occasion. To pass the entire course all tests and compulsory parts must have been passed. The grade is an integrated judgement of the results from all examination parts, and is given when all parts have been passed.
Credits for previous studies
An application for crediting can be made for a part or a whole course based on previous studies or work experience. If the application is denied a written explanation will be given. It is possible to turn to the board of appeal for the university if the application is denied. For more information turn to Studentcentrum/Examina.
Literature
The literature list is not available through the web.
Please contact the faculty.
