Degree project in speech and language pathology, 30 credits

For admission to Degree project in speech and language pathology, the student must have a Pass grade in all previous courses, semester 1-6, and may only may remain a maximum of 7.5 credits from semester 7.

On completion of the course, the student is expected to be able to Knowledge and understanding

• independently identify and formulate research questions, plan, implement, compile, draw conclusions and present results of a research study orally and in writing in the form of a thesis or a scientific manuscript within given time frames
• independently integrate knowledge and analyze, assess and handle complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information
• show more indepth knowledge and understanding of speech and language pathology, comprising an overview of the field and deeper knowledge within certain areas
• demonstrate an understanding of current research and development work and knowledge of the relationship between science and proven experience and its importance for the professional practice.
• be able to describe at a general level different research methods in theoretical and clinical speech and language pathology research and related research in linguistics and psychology

Skill and ability

• show advanced ability to critically review, evaluate and use relevant information and discuss new facts, phenomena and issues with different groups and thereby contribute the development of the profession and professional activities
• give constructive criticism of the thesis of a fellow student as opponent at a seminar
• show the skills required to participate in research and development work

Judgement ability and approach

• consider the ethical aspects of research and development work
• identify his/her own need of additional knowledge and continuous skill development

The student will under supervision carry out a descriptive or experimental study including all parts of the research process: literature search, project plan, research questions, data collection, data processing, interpretation and presentation. The study can be carried out and the thesis written individually or with a fellow student. The work should be carried out independently and quantity and quality should correspond to a publishable article in a scientific journal within the speech and language pathology field. After an introductory seminar in semester 6, a seminar series is completed in semester 7 with literature search, statistics and science theory. During the seminar series, a project plan should be completed, presented and reviewed by a fellow student. The planned study is then carried out.

The course comprises, all in all, 20 weeks of full-time work, the main part of which is devoted to the independent project work under supervision. The preparation of seminars and final seminars for presentation and opposition are included.

The examination includes reporting in writing and oral presentation of the project plan, reporting in writing and oral presentation as well as defence of the thesis, and opposition of the work of other fellow student. In order to pass, these parts should be carried out and a corrected version of the thesis be submitted. The examiner assesses the thesis.

The seminars are compulsory.

For students who have not passed the regular examination, a re-examination at a later date is offered, as agreed with the supervisor and the examiner. Students who do not pass a regular examination are entitled to re-sit the examination on five more occasions. If the student has carried out six failed tests, no further examination opportunity is given. Each occasion the student participates in the same test counts as an examination.

Examination can take place according to an earlier literature list during a period of one year after the date when a renewal of the literature list was made. Examination will be provided during a time of two years after a possible discontinuation of the course.

The course evaluation will be carried out in accordance with the guidelines established by the Board of Education.