Thesis in Industrial Management, 30 credits

Main field of study with advanced study

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or the equivalent of 180 Swedish credit points or 180 ECTS credits at an accredited university, and Industrial Management 15 credits on first level and Industrial Management 45 credits on second level. Applicants must have written and verbal command of the English language equivalent to English course 6 in Swedish Upper-Secondary School.

The course is part of the Master's Program Industrial Organization and Innovation.

The goal of the course is for the student to develop the ability to plan and conduct a research and present the research results according to scientific guidelines. The student shall also be able to defend own scientific work and critically question the scientific work of others.

Following successful completion of the course the student should:

Knowledge and understanding

• develop an understanding on the research process
• describe scientific methods in the field of industrial management
• explain the prerequisites for conducing a scientific research in an independentl way, in the field of industrial management

Skills and ability

• identify and describe a research problem, and formulate a research aim
• investigate and use accepted scientific methods to conduct a scientific study
• critically analyze the collected empirical data including comparing what is already theoretically known in the field of industrial management
• communicate the research results, orally and in written form, witin a predetermined timeframe

Judgement and approach

• evaluate and judge scientific research and empirical studies within the field
• evaluate and show awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work as well as take responsibility for own knowledge development
• reflect and show ability to integrate technological, economic and management aspects within industrial management

The course has four main parts. The first focuses on discussion of general questions on scientific work for all students. Together with their supervisors, students choose, discuss and define an area of interest and a research question(s) is developed.

The second part is independent work with review of previous research, theory evaluation, methodological choices, and developing a method for empirical data collection. Supervision will be offered in groups.

The third part involves independent work collecting and structuring empirical data, analyzing the data and writing the thesis. Individual supervision will be offered.

The fourth part is the oral and written presentation and opposition and feedback on the work of other students.

Teaching methodology includes individual and group supervision. There are presentation seminars.

All teaching will be in English. The thesis shall be written in English.

The course is examined through a presentation, an opposition and the master's thesis, where consideration is also given to how the student defends his work and how the student opposes the theisis of a fellow student.

Supervision of the degree project is given during the course and to the extent that is determined by each academy. If the student needs additional supervision after the end of the course, the Head of the department can decide on additional supervision time for one year. Thereafter, the student must be given a grade for the degree project, regardless of whether the project has been completed or not.

If students fail an examination, they have the right to a further four re-take examinations.

If there are special reasons, the examiner may make exceptions from the specified examination format and allow a student to be examined in another way. Special reasons can e.g. be study support for students with disabilities.

Course evaluation is part of the course. This evaluation offers guidance in the future development and planning of the course. Course evaluation is documented and made available to the students.