ELO-E1031 - Master's Thesis Seminar 2, Design (EN), 11.9.2023-8.3.2024

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Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion of the course, students are able to:

  • Formulate their MA thesis research question.
  • Design a research methodology suitable for their MA thesis work.
  • Apply methods of citation and referencing for academic writing.
  • Assemble part of their MA thesis work.
  • Assess and revise their MA thesis work as well as the thesis work of their peers.

Credits: 2

Schedule: 11.09.2023 - 08.03.2024

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Susanna Suurla, Sofia Pantouvaki

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

Responsible teacher: Susanna Suurla, susanna.suurla@aalto.fi

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: Finnish, Swedish, English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Master’s Thesis Seminar 2 will support students in the writing and presentation of their MA written thesis. The seminar helps students to define their research questions and to choose research methodologies adapted to their own area of study and the goals of their research. The seminar will cover methods of citation and referencing for academic writing. Students will practice giving feedback to each other’s work contributing to strengthening the research community of the department.

Assessment Methods and Criteria

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

     The course will consist of lectures by faculty and potential visitors, discussions, feedback, peer-review sessions and independent study time.

     Attendance, active participation in class and the completion of the course assignments are required in order to gain credits for the MA seminar.

  • applies in this implementation

    Evaluation criteria:

    Completion of independent tasks, attendance and activity 40%, Pre-assignment for the intensive week and work during the intensive week 60% 

    Grade 5:  Student demonstrates bold, critical, and independent thinking. Justifications for the solutions and choices are functional and comprehensive. The student conceptualizes the topic of their thesis in a versatile and in-depth manner. The student has followed the instructions and schedule on their own initiative. The student's communication and language use are professional, appropriate to the situation and understandable.

    Grade 3: The student demonstrates independent thinking. The reasoning behind the solutions is functional. The student conceptualizes the topic of their thesis well. The student has followed the instructions and schedule. The student's communication and language use are appropriate and understandable for the situation. 

    Grade 1: The student demonstrates some independent thinking. Solutions are justified. The student conceptualizes the topic of the thesis to some extent. The student has largely followed the instructions and schedule. The student's communication and language use are appropriate for the situation. There are slight shortcomings in understandability.

    0 (fail): The student does not demonstrate independent thinking. The solutions are not justified. The student does not conceptualize their work. The student has presented the other person's thoughts as their own (plagiarism). The student has not followed the instructions and schedule. The student's communication is not appropriate or understandable for the situation.


Workload

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Contact teaching 22h, independent study 32h.

DETAILS

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

    4 Quality Education

    5 Gender Equality

    9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

    10 Reduced Inequality

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information

Rules of Conduct - Students´ Rights and Responsibilities (in force from 1 August 2020)

Aalto University Code of Academic Integrity and Handling Violations Thereof