BIO302 Introduction Course for Master Students at BIOVIT

Knowledge

• Good understanding of what is required to complete a master's programme, including the formalities surrounding selection of and completion of the master's thesis
• Understands the importance of hypothesis development and testing of hypotheses in research
• Familiar with models for research text structure, e.g. The IMRaD model for scientific writing and the T-U-R model for paragraph structure
• Good overview of available databases for research articles
• Knowledge of digital tools for handling references and bibliography
• Regulations around plagiarism (including self-plagiarism) as well as current regulations for the use of AI-based tools such as Chat GTP in studies and thesis writing
• Good overview of research ethics guidelines within the natural sciences (www.forskningsetikk.no/retningslinjer/nat-tek/forskningsetiske-retningslinjer-for-naturvitenskap-og-teknologi/), including the VANCOUVER convention for authorship, the researcher's responsibility for honesty, protection of animals in research, alerting authorities and ethical responsibility, as well as responsibility for research communication.
• Rules for the use and handling of genetically modified organisms in research
• Knowledge of the Biodiversity Convention, the sustainability goals and the European Green Deal
• Basic principles of effective data visualization and visual communication
• Knowledge of the importance of data handling and the FAIR data principle
• Overview of career opportunities upon completion of the master's programme​

Skills

• Utilize models describing text formats and writing techniques to organize and prepare a thesis or report.
• Use literature databases such as e.g. Web of Science and PubMed to search for original research literature, and import these references into digital reference tools to create personal databases and reference lists in Word
• Use AI tools to help in research and studies in an ethically sound manner
• Critically assess the quality of research work (e.g. a master's theses) in terms of structure and content

General competence

• Be well equipped to complete a master's degree and write a master's thesis