SPT-E1061 - Thesis Seminar, Lecture, 22.10.2024-20.5.2025

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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

The purpose of the course is to prepare students for the Master's thesis and support them during the research process. The course includes topics such as literature management, formulating research questions, choosing suitable research methods, structuring and scheduling research work, and writing the thesis. After the course, the student:

  • knows about different types of master's theses and has a general understanding of the workload and schedule
  • has formulated research questions and chosen appropriate materials and methods to answer them
  • has basic knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods
  • has basic skills for literature and references management
  • has prepared a personal research plan for the thesis, and is able to present and discuss the topic

 

Credits: 5

Schedule: 22.10.2024 - 20.05.2025

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Dominic Stead, Milos Mladenovic

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

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

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

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    The course consists of following components: 

    • general thesis guidelines
    • thesis structure and content
    • thesis process and plan
    • reserach ethics
    • qualitatitive reserach methods
    • quantitative reserach methods
    • literature management
    • thesis writting
    • peer feedback 

Assessment Methods and Criteria

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    The following assessment methods are used during the course:

    • in-class activities
    • homework
    • thesis plan presentations

     

     

Workload

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    The study methods include

    • lectures (20h),
    • in-class activities (20h), 
    • independent out-of-class work (70h), and
    • individual seminar presentation(s) (25h). 

DETAILS

Study Material

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Detailed study material is provided for the use of bibliography, the structure of the research plan and the master s thesis, and other relevant topics.

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

    3 Good Health and Well-being

    7 Affordable and Clean Energy

    9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

    10 Reduced Inequality

    11 Sustainable Cities and Communities

    12 Responsible Production and Consumption

    13 Climate Action

    15 Life on Land

    16 Peace and Justice Strong Institutions

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Teaching Language: English

    Teaching Period: 2024-2025 Autumn II - Spring V
    2025-2026 Autumn II - Spring V

    Registration:

    Registration for courses will take place on Sisu (sisu.aalto.fi). Students in the Masters's Programme in Spatial Planning and Transportation Engineering are prioritized. 

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

Aalto University Code of Academic Integrity and Handling Violations Thereof