M60-UA Master's Thesis in Urban Agriculture

Credits (ECTS):60

Course responsible:Trine Hvoslef-Eide

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Engelsk, norsk

Course frequency:Annually

Nominal workload:1500 hours

Teaching and exam period:Autum parallel and Spring parallel

About this course

Master students in Urban Agriculture are required to write a master thesis/dissertation on a topic within a relevant subject/area. The research proposal must be discussed and approved by the student's supervisor. The master thesis is an independent academic work. Independent gathering and analysis of sources (primary and/or secondary) are key elements of the dissertation. The student may also conduct fieldwork. The student is supervised in developing a research proposal. If the student is conducting fieldwork, it is required that the supervisor approves the research proposal prior to travel to the field.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

  • The student has advanced knowledge about a specific thematic area, relevant methods and theories

Skills:

The student can:

  • work independently to identify and compare different sources in relation to a specific thematic area within Urban Agriculture
  • structure the Thesis according to academic standards
  • present a research topic, including choice of methods, data collection and analysis
  • plan and carry out a project over a long timeframe of multiple months

Competence:

  • The student will have insight into the different steps in a research process, including methodical and ethical considerations
  • If a fieldwork, and collection of primary data, has been completed, the student will have practical experience in comparing sources and collect data in the field, analyze and explain research results
  • The student will have experience in using feedback to process their own work, and are able to critically reflect over the results of the research and the Thesis process
  • Supervision: Each student is entitled to 80 hours of supervision (including the supervisor's share of the grading) for a 60 ECTS master thesis. Students sign a contract with the supervisor. The supervisory relationship is guided by the contract as well as common understandings for supervisory responsibility. Writing a research proposal is an integral part of the thesis process and its supervision. The student has a responsibility to stay in touch with the supervisor. The student submits a signed contract to the supervisor and to the study administration at the Faculty.
  • It is recommended that the students actively use the courses offered by the University Library, Writing Centre and other resources available at the University.
  • One written thesis and oral discussion.
  • The Master thesis shall be graded by at least one external examiner and one internal examiner. The main supervisor is usually the internal examiner.
  • The student must submit a signed contract to supervisor and to the study administration at the faculty before he/she can start working on his/hers thesis.
  • Students at other master program at NMBU are welcome to do a thesis at BIOVIT.
  • Letter grades
  • Masterstudents at NMBUs master program