ECON4091 – Master Thesis
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
In this course students engage in the analysis of a substantive economic question. They do this by independently producing an original written piece of research at an academic level.
This involves formulating a research question, developing an approach that allows answering this question using economic methods, and implementing this approach in a scientific manner which leads to a structured analysis which is reported both in writing and orally.
The topic of the thesis can be chosen freely, although it is recommended to coordinate plans with a (potential) supervisor at an early stage.
Learning outcome
- in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the research question
- formulate a scientific research question develop a research design
- conduct an economic analysis (theoretical and/or empirical)
- use relevant economic literature
- the ability to report orally and in writing
- be able to critically reflect on research in a systematic and argumented manner
- complete a project from idea to finish
Admission to the course
Students must be admitted to one of the master`s programmes at the Department of Economics.
A supervisor must be assigned before the student can start writing the master`s thesis.
In order to be assigned a supervisor, the student must have passed at least 190 credits (5-year master’s programme) / 20 credits (2-year master’s programme) in the programme.
Supervisors will be formally appointed in the 3rd semester of the 2-year master’s programme, or in the 9th semester of the 5-year master’s programme. This guarantees supervision throughout the process of writing the thesis.?
All master students must hand in a project plan for the thesis and a contract of supervision one semester before they are to submit their thesis.
An overview with the specific deadlines for each semester can be found here
Overlapping courses
- 30 credits overlap with ECON4090 – Master's Thesis (continued).
Teaching
Access to teaching
Individual academic supervision is compulsory for all students who write their Master`s thesis in Economics.
At the start of the semester, the course reponsible can update the syllabus list by replacing up to 3 articles, without the scope and thematic content of the syllabus changing significantly.
The syllabus also includes any lecture notes that are made available during the semester.
Examination
The thesis and an oral exam.
Master Thesis
The thesis should represent an independent contribution and should address a clearly stated problem. For further information please read Inspera and to DUO.
Examination support material
All exam support materials are allowed during this exam. Generating all or part of the exam answer using AI tools such as Chat GPT or similar is not allowed.
Language of examination
You may submit your thesis and attend the oral exam in Norwegian or 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.
Prior to the oral exam, a preliminary grade will be awarded to the master thesis. The performance at the oral exam will be used to adjust the grade of the master thesis.
Resit an examination
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- How to use AI as a student
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.