SPECIALENG Master's thesis

Volume 2013/2014
Education
MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences - compulsory, MSc in Medicinal Chemistry - compulsory, Cand.Scient.Pharm. - compulsory, Cand.Pharm. - compulsory
Content
The master’s thesis is a pharmaceutically relevant research project that ordinarily includes both a theoretical and an experimental segment. Work on the master’s thesis is conducted either in one of the departments at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences or under the auspices of a company outside the university. During work on the thesis, the student has a supervisor who must be a member of the Faculty. Together with the student and an external supervisor when relevant, the thesis supervisor makes more detailed agreements about the planning and execution of the thesis. The theoretical aspects and results of the master’s project culminate in a thesis. The scope of the topic must be such that the total body of work can be conducted within the deadline set. Students who work on a master’s thesis may be asked by the company in question to sign an agreement with a confidentiality clause, or by the project leader at the Faculty to sign a secrecy agreement. No later than two weeks after work on the master’s thesis has commenced, the student and thesis supervisor must draw up a thesis contract, including a plan for supervision during the project. After working on the thesis for about two months, the student holds an oral presentation of about 30 minutes about the status of the work – usually at the workplace. The thesis supervisor and external supervisor (if applicable) attend the presentation. However, the participation of the thesis supervisor may be omitted if financial, practical and/or geographic reasons so warrant.

Work on the master’s thesis usually corresponds to ½ study year = 5 months (22 weeks of about 37.5 hours per week, including public holidays), and comprises literature searches, laboratory work, interviews, writing, etc., corresponding to 30 ECTS points. However, at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the master’s thesis is considered experimental in character and may therefore be increased to a maximum of 60 ECTS points in increments of 5 ECTS points corresponding to a good four weeks of study. The weight of the master’s thesis must be agreed with the thesis supervisor with due regard for provisions in the relevant degree regulations and rules on elective programme units.
Learning Outcome
To demonstrate and document the student’s skills in independently applying scientific theories and methods during work on a pharmaceutically relevant research project, as well as in writing a master’s thesis. The student is also expected to be able to explain the project in clear scientific terms, orally and in writing.

The master’s thesis on the research conducted plus the subsequent oral examination must document that the student is able
  • To plan and carry out a research project
  • To explain the relevance of the topic selected
  • To state a scientific research question or hypothesis
  • To state a relevant purpose
  • To apply relevant scientific theory, methods and empirical evidence in conjunction with carrying out the research project, and justify the choices made
  • To describe the research conducted as well as the results and conclusions reached in a way that is clear and easy to understand
  • To make a critical analysis that includes a balanced discussion of theories and methods regarding the empirical evidence selected
  • To take a critical position on the literature selected
  • To make an oral presentation of and discuss the research project undertaken
The thesis supervisor may require the student to have passed certain specific courses before commencing work on the thesis and may ask for documentation. For the pharmacy programme, the thesis supervisor may require up to 10 ECTS points from specific elective programme units as especially relevant to the thesis. The requirements are not quite so specific for the pharmaceutical science programmes, but the thesis supervisor must approve the choice of individual courses for the programme.
825 hours consisting of literature searches, laboratory work, interviews, writing, etc..
If work on the master’s thesis is conducted in a company outside the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the external supervisor may not also serve as the external examiner.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Project work
  • 825
  • Total
  • 825
Credit
30 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment under invigilation
Oral defence under invigilation
Thesis and oral examination followed by discussion
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
Criteria for exam assesment

Prøvedesign / Examination design

Spelling and formulation are part of the assessment and can reduce the grade by one full point maximum. The thesis must contain an abstract in English, which will be part of the total assessment. If two students have worked together on the master’s thesis, they must specify each student’s contribution in writing so that the supervisor and examiner are able to ascertain and assess each student’s work.Dersom 2 studerende har arbejdet sammen om specialet, skal de studerende i rapporten redegøre for den enkeltes bidrag, således at vejleder og censor er i stand til at konstatere og vurdere den enkelte studerendes indsats.

Karakterbeskrivelse / Description of grades

Grade 12 is given for an excellent performance that fully meets the expectations of the purpose of the master’s thesis with no or only a few minor weaknesses.Grade 7 is given for a good performance that meets the expectations of the purpose of the master’s thesis with some weaknesses.Grade 02 is given for an acceptable performance that meets only the minimum expectations regarding the purpose of the master’s thesis.