Thesis - Health and Lifestyle, 15 credits

Main field of study with advanced study

22.5 credits of courses at second level: Health and Lifestyle in a Nordic Perspective 7.5 credits, Welfare Models in the Nordic Region 7.5 credits, New Challenges for the Welfare Society 7.5 credits, Social Sustainability in the Nordic Region 7.5 credits, Cross-cultural Perspectives in Research and Evaluation Work 7.5 credits. English 6. Exemption of the requirement in Swedish is granted.

The course is included in Master's Programme (60 credits) in Nordic Welfare.

The overall course objective is that the student develops abilities to independent scientific work within the main field of health and lifestyle related to Nordic welfare issues. The objectives are also that the student develops abilities to describe how different steps in a research process are integrated to entirety. A further objective is that the student from the above stand-point develops the ability to present the thesis and its contribution to the knowledge society and the areas studied.

Following successful completion of the course the student should:

Knowledge and understanding

• Describe and explain the scientific foundation in a research area of own choice
• Present chosen research methods and explain and argue for its relevance in a research area of own choice

Skills and ability

• Conduct a scientific study independently and critically
• Communicate and discuss conclusions, argue for theory of knowledge, with specialists within health and lifestyle, as well as others in society

Judgement and approach

• critically review research design (research questions, analyses, and results) in scientific work from an interdisciplinary perspective within the main field of health and lifestyle
• critically review and assess scientific work within the main field of health and lifestyle with considerations of scientific, societal and ethical aspects.
• critically evaluate reliability and validity in research within the main field
• draw relevant conclusions and reflect upon practical, societal, and scientific implications of the own study

The course offers the possibility for students to conduct an independent thesis for master’s degree (one-year) in the format of an empirical scientific study within the main field Health and Lifestyle related to Nordic welfare issues. The course also include the performance of oral presentations of thesis work.

The teaching consists of lectures, seminars, group exercises, and supervision, partly by support of information and communication technology.

The examination consists of individual written scientific study (thesis) with oral presentations at obligatory seminar.

During first- and second-cycle studies, students are entitled to supervision by specially appointed supervisors. Supervision of degree projects is provided throughout the course and to the extent determined by the respective schools. If the student requires further supervision after the course has ended, the dean of the school may decide to grant additional supervision for a period of one year. After that, the student will be awarded a grade for the degree project, regardless of whether the work is completed or not.

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.