Degree Project in Nutrition Science, 30 credits

At least grade pass for the courses "Diet and health - scientific basis, recommendations and sustainability" (3NT000) and "Diet, physical activity and fitness - assessment and evaluation" (3NT002) in semester 1 within the Master's Programme in Nutrition Science.

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

• formulate a clear and limited aim with a research project which is motivated by and grounded in scientific literature.
• plan, carry out and document a research project with given time frames and given resources.
• choose and motivate study design and methodology used to answer the research question.
• analyze and interpret data obtained and critically discuss results and conclusions as well as their generalizability.
• search, read, review, compile and critically interpret relevant scientific literature in relation to all parts of the project.
• put together and compose a scientific report.
• discuss the societal and ethical aspects of the research project.
• orally present, explain and discuss research results in dialogue with others.
• critically and objectively assess other people's scientific work and  be able to provide relevant feedback. 

The course consists of a project work that may consist of literature studies or empirical studies. An study plan is written by the supervisor together with the student. The project work can be performed at other universities or government agencies than Karolinska Institutet or at a company. The work can be done together with another student. The oral presentation and assessment of the fulfillment of the course's learning outcomes is done individually.

The work is done under supervision, but with a certain degree of independence, participation in seminars, meetings and other similar activities taking place where the work is carried out. Studies of scientific literature according to the recommendation of the supervisor and the student's own assessment. Compulsory seminars in research ethics are included that are common for all students on the course.

The examination consist of a written report and oral presentation and discussion of the report as well as oral evaluation and feedback of another student's report. The examiner sets the grade after consultation with the supervisor and the examining teacher, based on the student's work performance and presentation.

Compulsory participation
Seminars in research ethics and presentations of the degree projects are compulsory. The course leader assesses if and how absence can be compensated. Before the student has participated in all compulsory parts or compensated absence in accordance with the course leader's instructions, the student's results will not be registered in LADOK.

If submission of the report occurs later than the set deadline the student loses the opportunity to obtain the grade of pass with distinction for the course. 

Limited number of examinations or practical training sessions
Students who have not passed the course after their first presentation (written or oral) are entitled to rework their report and/or presentation and participate in five more presentations. If the student has not passed the course after four presentations, he/she is recommended to retake the course the next time it is held, with a new project. In connection with that course the student will be granted two more opportunities to present. If the student has failed six presentations, no additional presentation opportunity  or possibility to retake the course will be offered.

After each course occasion there will be at least six occasions for the examination within a two-year period from the end of the course.

The course language is English.

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