Course description

• Course content
• Learning outcome
• Admission
• Prerequisites

• Teaching
• Examination

Course content

The Master's Thesis is an individual research paper which you will start writing on in your 3rd semester, and your thesis should meet the general requirements to scientific publication. It allows for empirical as well as theoretical issues.

You will be personally responsible for deciding the theme, research question and method of investigation and for undertaking the research.

Getting started with your thesis

Learning outcome

When you have successfully completed the Master¡¯s Thesis you are expected to

• Be able to select a research question that can be answered in a scientifically sound manner within the given amount of time
• Be able to work systematically to use that time effectively
• Be familiar with the different stages in the research process
• Have acquired the ability to see the relationships between choice of research question, theoretical perspective, research design and choice of method
• Have carried out an independent piece of research on a peace and/or conflict-related theme in a scientifically sound manner

Admission

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

For students admitted to Peace and Conflict Studies (master's two years)

Prerequisites

Formal prerequisite knowledge

In order to hand in and sit for the exam in PECOS4095, it is advisable that the students have taken all mandatory courses. A supervisor must also be assigned before the student can start writing the master's thesis.

Teaching

Teaching for this course consists of a combination of collective and individual academic supervision.

Fieldwork

Will you conduct fieldwork or will your Master's Thesis require traveling? Here you can read about financial support of fieldwork.

Examination

The thesis and an oral examination. The deadline for handing in the thesis is published on the semester page (se top of this page). The examination committee will consist of two examiners, and at least one of them will be external. Your thesis supervisor will not be part of the committee.

The Master's Thesis

• Information on formal requirements
• Handing in your thesis *NB from 2020: thesis is only to be submitted digitally, IAKH does not cover cost of print
• Submission and postponed deadline

Oral examination

Prior to the oral examination, the evaluation committee will award a preliminary grade to your Master's Thesis.

• You will be notified of the grade and given an explanation for it when you present yourself for the oral examination.
• The questions that will be posed during the oral examination will be linked to your thesis and may, for example, relate to the research question, the structure of your thesis, choice of theoretical perspective, research design, choice of method, sources, or structure of your argument, etc.
• Immediately after the oral examination, the committee will discuss whether your presentation justifies an adjustment to your preliminary grade.
• Your performance in the oral examination will only be used to adjust the grade of your master¡¯s thesis.
• Once the committee has determined the grade following the oral examination, you will be notified of the final grade.

The Department of Archaeology, Conservation and History is responsible for the exam(s), and exam(s) is/are normally held at The University of Oslo, Blindern campus. Other locations in Oslo may be used.

Information on how the Master's Thesis is assessed

• Recommended norms for setting grades in History

Certificate

Students who complete the work on their Master's thesis in the nominal length of time and meet the set submission deadline will receive a certificate confirming this.

Use of sources and citation

You should familiarize yourself with the rules that apply to the use of sources and citations. If you violate the rules, you may be suspected of cheating/attempted cheating.

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

Explanations and appeals

• Explanation of grades and appeals

Special examination arrangements

Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.