Degree Project for Master's Degree (60 credits) in Oral Health, 30 credits

Bachelor's degree in odontological prophylaxis/oral health or Higher Education Diploma in Dental Hygiene comprising 180 credits and the course Theory and Methodology of Science in Odontology, 15 credits, or the equivalent. An additional 15 credits in completed courses is required. And proficiency in Swedish and English equivalent to Swedish B/Swedish 3 and English A/English 6.

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of oral health, with a particular focus on the chosen field
• identify and design research questions
• show advanced knowledge of scientific methods and apply the acquired knowledge to the field of oral health
• reflect on and apply ethical aspects in their own research area
• systematically search for and collect relevant data
• critically review, evaluate and synthesise information
• independently plan and complete a written project a within a given time-frame, which contributes to the development of knowledge in oral health
• demonstrate an ability to, orally and in writing, communicate with others, regarding their own knowledge, conclusions and arguments
• evaluate their own work and scientific contribution, and show insight into the possibilities and limitations of research
• identify and take responsibility for their own need of further knowledge

The student independently, with consultative supervision, carries out a research project in the field of oral health. The student is trained in the different aspects of the research process, including critical review of literature, data collection and analysis, as well as in giving oral presentations. By giving feedback on another student's work, the student's critical review skills are further enhanced.
 
The quality and scope of the project should correspond to a publishable article for a scientific journal in the dental field. The project is written in Swedish or English (optional) and is supplemented with a summary in English or Swedish.

The main part of the course is dedicated to the completion of the project, which is implemented with the consultation of a selected supervisor. The progress is continuously monitored in scheduled seminars. There are also scheduled lectures and workshops on selected topics.

The seminars, lectures and workshops are held at the Department of Dental Medicine at campus Flemingsberg, while the research project is carried out either at the Department of Dental Medicine or elsewhere under the guidance of an appointed supervisor.

Examination:

• Written presentation of the research plan; after the research plan is approved, the experiment or collection of material and data may proceed.
• Written and oral progress report of the research project at a half-time seminar, as well as written peer review of another student's project.
• Written and oral presentation of the project at a seminar, as well as written and oral peer review of another student's project.

If the student does not pass the half-time examination, does not submit the assignments related to the written project by the scheduled time, or does not attend the examination, they must wait until the next examination opportunity. Examinations are carried out once a semester.

Compulsory activities: Seminars and workshops.

The examiner decides if, and how, absence from compulsory parts can be compensated. Study results cannot be reported until the student has participated in compulsory course elements or compensated for any absence in accordance with instructions from the examiner. Absence from a compulsory course element could mean that the student can not retake the element until the next time the course is offered.

If there are special grounds, or a need for adaptation for a student with a disability, the examiner may decide to deviate from the syllabus's regulations on the examination form, the number of examination opportunities, the possibility of supplementation or exemptions from the compulsory section/s of the course etc. Content and learning outcomes as well as the level of expected skills, knowledge and abilities may not be changed, removed or reduced.

Examination according to the previous version of the syllabus will be offered for the last time in the spring semester of 2024. If the course undergoes major changes or is closed down, examination according to the current version of the syllabus will be offered no more than two academic years after the implementation of the revision/close-down.

Language of instruction: Swedish and English.