SFS40503 Master's Thesis in Organisation and Leadership (Autumn 2020–Spring 2021)

The course is connected to the following study programs

Mandatory course in the Master's Programme in Organization and Leadership.

Absolute requirements

The course Organization and Leadership 1 (30 ECTS credits), Organization and Leadership 2 (30 ECTS credits and Organization and Leadership 3 (30 ECTS credits) must be passed.

Lecture Semester

Seventh and eighth semesters (autumn and spring).

The student's learning outcomes after completing the course

After completing the master's thesis, the student is capable of using theoretical knowledge and scientific methods to elucidate issues that are relevant to working life.

Content

The Master thesis consists of a large written work of approx. 100 pages.

A thesis seminar will be organised at which the students present their own draft paper for the thesis and comment on the draft papers of others. Students will also be taught quantitative and qualitative methodology.

Forms of teaching and learning

The master's thesis can be written individually or in pairs of students. The programme is organised so that students choose the topic and issue for their thesis early in the course of their studies. Each student will be appointed a supervisor and a contract between HiØ and the individual student will be signed that sets out the supervision and its scope.

The nominal length of study for the master's thesis is one year where the master's students are entitled to supervision from the appointed supervisor.

The scope of the supervision is 20 hours. If an extension is required for the thesis, grounds must be given for this in an application. The scope of the supervision will in any case not exceed 20 hours. If a student takes a leave of absence from the programme and has already started supervision, they are nonetheless not entitled to more than 20 hours' supervision in total.

Workload

The students' total number of working hours for the course is estimated to be 840 hours.

Coursework requirements - conditions for taking the exam

• There is an attendance requirement of 75% of the thesis seminars. 
• All students must present their own draft of the master's thesis and comment on 4-8 other students' drafts in open seminars.

Required coursework must be approved before the student can take the exam.

Examination

Master's thesis and oral exam (approx. 60 minutes)

The course is assessed on the basis of the master's thesis (individually or in pairs) and an oral exam.

It is possible to write the thesis together, but in groups of no more than two students. Students who write the thesis together can choose whether they wish to give two exam presentations for the oral exam or whether they wish to give a joint presentation. The remaining part of the oral exam will take place individually, however.

In the oral exam, the students will first give an oral presentation lasting 30 minutes and then defend their thesis. The oral exam will last approx. one hour in total.

A preliminary grade is awarded for the master's thesis before the oral exam. On the basis of the oral exam, the grade can be adjusted up or down by one grade on the grade scale A-F. One final individual grade will be awarded.

The final exam for the master's students is held twice a year during the exam periods (May/June and November /December).

Deadlines Students must register for the exam in connection with the semester registration on Studentweb by the given deadlines (15 September for the autumn semester and 15 January for the spring semester). 

Submission and exam in the spring semester:

• The thesis must be submitted by 15 May.

Submission and exam in the autumn semester:

• The thesis must be submitted by 15 November.

In the event of an appeal of the grade awarded, the thesis will be re-assessed. In the event of a new preliminary grade being awarded, a new oral exam will be arranged, cf. the Regulations governing Examinations and Admissions for Østfold University College, Section 18 sub-section 4.

Examiners

The master's thesis will be assessed by an examination committee consisting of the supervisor (internal examiner) and an external examiner.

Conditions for resit/rescheduled exams

In the event of resit exams, both parts of the exam must be retaken. Students must submit a new master's thesis with a new research question if they wish to improve their pass grade. The student is not entitled to further academic supervision.

If the student is awarded a fail grade for their thesis, they have one opportunity to rework the thesis, but are not entitled to further supervision. The student must then take the oral exam.

Course evaluation

Student evaluations are conducted in accordance with the procedures for quality assurance work at Østfold University College.

Literature

A high degree of independence is expected of the thesis. Student must select literature of relevance to their thesis corresponding to approx. 1,000 pages.

The literature list can be supplemented with literature related to the spring semester by December 1st.