MAS352 Bachelor Thesis

Contents and structure

The bachelor thesis is the final course in the bachelor degree, taken during the last year of the program.

Students will complete an independent method and problem-oriented task based on a realistic engineering problem, which requires knowledge and skills of key areas of the bachelor program. The thesis must be anchored in real issues from society and business or research and development, and contribute to an introduction to scientific theory and method and engineering design method. The thesis is normally a joint student project and may be a partnership with a company or a government agency, or be part of the internal research and development initiatives at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL).

The project normally includes planning, litterature studies, estimates of cost,  research, calculations and may based on type of project include project management, analysis, constructions and development of a product. The project leads to a final project report. The course ends with the exhibition EXPO.

Learning Outcome

Upon completing the course, the candidate will have attained the following learning outcome:  

Knowledge

The student

• has broad knowledge of key issues and can use acquired knowledge in a self-selected part of the engineering field
• should be able to update their knowledge through contact with relevant academic communities and practice fields
• is familiar with the relevant methods and working practices relating to technological research and development
• has an understanding for methodical work, ability of reflection and skills in systematic and scientific assessment

Skills

The student

• can prepare a concrete problem formulation of societal interest within the field of engineering
• can collect, analyze and refer information in a critical and reflective way
• can go in depth in specific issues and develop concrete solutions to the problem
• can plan, execute, document and communicate project results from a project work in a systematic and scientific way

General competence

The student

• has insight in environmental, health, social and economic consequences of products and solutions within their field and can put these in an ethical and life cycle perspective
• can reflect on their own professional practice and work both independently and in teams with planning and implementation of an engineering project
• can translate their knowledge and skills into practical solutions and present the results orally and in writing
• can contribute to development of good practice through participation in professional discussions within the field and can share their knowlegde and experience with others

Entry requirements

Requirement: 100 credits passed in the study program. Included in the 100 credits are all courses in the first year and any specialization courses relevant for the thesis.

Credits must be passed within 1 September (in 5th semester) for theses that shall be handed in the following spring semester (6th semester).

If specialization courses relevant for the thesis are in 5th semester, the requirement is 120 credits after the ordinary exam period in 5th semester.

A dispensation from the requirement may be given after an individual education plan review. Given criterias in the guidelines for the bacehlor thesis must be met.

Teaching methods

Teaching and supervised project work, where normally 2-3 students work together in a project group. The students form groups and define, possibly choose or are assigned a preliminary problem formulation for the thesis during the autumn semester. The thesis is performed during the spring semester.

Students are assigned an internal academic supervisor who helps to ensure that academic and methodological elements are taken care of in a responsible manner. The students regularly communicate the progress of the work to an internal and possibly external supervisor / contact person, through oral and written status reports. 

The bachelor thesis must be performed in accordance with guidelines for bachelor theses and a supervison agreement must be signed.

As an end of the course, EXPO, an exhibition with stands, is arranged, where the group present their project in the form of a poster/video and any product.

Compulsory learning activities

1. Individually requirements:

• a reflection paper (self-reflection on personal development)

2. Requirements for the group:

• preliminary report with a project plan
• midterm presentation

The requirements have to be completed by given deadlines. The fulfilled requirements are valid for one subsequent semester.

Assessment

Bachelor thesis with adjusting oral exam, 100 %.

The bachelor thesis consists of submitted final report, poster / video and any product. Oral examination consists of an open presentation of the assignment (up to 30 minutes including questions from the audience) and a closed questioning and review of the assignment (up to 30 minutes). 

Deadline for submission is stated on Studentweb and digital exam system.

Grade: A - E / passed; F / failed.

The grade of the submitted Bachelor Thesis shall be registered before conducting the adjusting oral exam. The adjusting oral exam can result in adjustment of a grade for a pass up or down by a maximum of one grade, cf. Regulations relating to studies and examination section 11-15.

The whole group receives the same grade, cf. Regulations relating to studies and examinations § 11-16. If there is any doubt as to whether a student contributes or has contributed sufficiently for a joint product, a written, individual statements must be obtained from all group members and the academic supervisor. The college may make a decision that the student have not attended the examination.

In the event of a failing grade on the bachelor thesis, the group is given the opportunity to submit an improved version in the subsequent semester.

Examination support material

At oral presentation/examination: All written and printed materials.

More about examination support material