EN491 Bachelor Thesis in Environmental sciences

Contents and structure

A supervisor and the prospective student will together choose the topic of the bachelor thesis within environmental sciences. The thesis will usually relate to environmental projects and research at the department or in co-operation with external collaborators or institutions.

Learning Outcome

Knowledge

• Students will know how to collect and interpret scientific data, and how to present and discuss the results in a written scientific report.
• Students will have knowledge of what characterizes scientific literature.

Skills

• Students will be able to complete an independent scientific project work
• Students will be able to collect scientific data
• Students will know how analyze scientific data and how to draw scientific conclusions
• Students will be able to present an independent piece of work both in writing and orally using necessary techniques
• Students will be able to find scientific literature of high quality in national and international databases
• Students will be able to use references, apply citation techniques and conduct source criticism

General qualifications

After successfully completing the bachelor thesis, the candidates can carry out independent assessments and evaluations on environmental issues. The candidates will know how to define aims and objectives, accurately describe methods, in addition to finding and utilizing scientific literature in a correct manner. The candidates will also be able to provide a balanced presentation of the chosen topic. They will know how to structure and present a scientific report, and how to communicate the main points of a scientific report in a clear and understandable way, written and orally.

Entry requirements

Admission requires a pre-agreement with an HVL-supervisor on supervision of the Bachelor thesis and, if applicable, the student’s home institution.

Recommended previous knowledge

Students should have completed a minimum of 120 ECTS credits, corresponding to two years of academic study within a bachelor programme in one of the fields of life sciences/ecology, or earth sciences/geography or environmental sciences at the time of the application. A successful participation in the HVL semester programme "From Mountain to Fjord" and/or "Geohazards and Climate Change" would be of advantage.

Teaching methods

Independent work with supervision from one or more teachers. Students might write the thesis alone or together in groups of maximum three students.

Compulsory learning activities

Oral presentation

• Oral presentation of the thesis before delivery deadline
  • 15 minutes presentation
  • 5 minutes answering questions

Assessment

Written bachelor thesis (individual or group wise)

• 50 to 70 pages (on average) or more (up to 100 pages), depending on the given topic
• Mark scale A-F, with F corresponding to "Not passed"
• When not passing the bachelor thesis, it is possible to submit an improved version within the next semester.
  • It is only possible to submit an improved version with the same topic once.
  • Submission of an improved version requires compulsory supervision.
  • Additional trials require a totally new topic for the bachelor thesis.

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