Bachelor's Thesis BWU

The purpose of this course is to provide students with the competence to develop and carry out an extended, independent, written, and academic project.

The course formally begins in the autumn semester, when students form groups (2-4 students) and select a project within their own discipline.

It is the students’ responsibility to find an external client and to identify and define a relevant project in collaboration with this client. In some cases, the department may suggest a project, but all projects must have an external client.

Students who are studying abroad during the fifth semester are encouraged to establish their bachelor project group before departure and should maintain close communication with group members during the preliminary project phase.

Students are encouraged to form interdisciplinary groups or projects. Any potential challenges or opportunities related to forming an interdisciplinary group with students from another department must be discussed with the course coordinator.

Knowledge

Upon completion of the course, the students have:

• acquired new knowledge within a self-chosen area of their discipline, and a comprehensive understanding of methodological work, including the ability to reflect and make systematic and scientific assessments
• knowledge of how to plan and carry out an independent project, formulate research questions, and analyse these on the basis of both theoretical and empirical material, applying appropriate methodological approaches
• knowledge of how sustainability, societal relevance, and creativity/innovation constitute central perspectives in academic development and practice, and can reflect on how their own work can contribute to and be assessed in light of these perspectives

Skills

Upon completion of the course, the students are able to:

• develop and communicate a clear and relevant research question within their field
• identify, evaluate, and apply relevant literature, theory, and scientific methods as a foundation for their work
• define, develop, and explore research questions in depth, and propose concrete solutions
• plan, document, and report a large-scale project in a systematic and scientific manner, in collaboration with others
• communicate the project’s process and results through written and oral presentations

General competence

Upon completion of the course, the students can:

• plan, carry out, and document a long-term project in collaboration with others, with academic quality, responsibility, and initiative, in accordance with relevant methods and ethical guidelines
• critically reflect on the project’s process and results, and assess its relevance and impact for clients, users, and society in a sustainable and ethical perspective

• SupervisionLectures
• Seminars

Mandatory activities:

• Establish a bachelor project group, find an external client, sign a contract with the client, project outline, and supervisor pitch
• Formal project description with working title, project plan, and submission of the signed client contract
• Midterm seminar

All mandatory coursework must be approved in order for the students to submit their bachelor thesis.