Degree Project in Bioentrepreneurship, 30 credits

At least the grade "Pass" on the courses given during semesters 1 and 2 as well as the course "Marketing and Sales in life sciences", within the Master's Programme in Bioentrepreneurship.

A student who has failed a project placement as a result of the student showing such serious deficiencies in knowledge, skills or approach that trust towards the collaboration partner is at risk, is eligible for a new internship opportunity only when the individual action plan has been completed.

The course aims to enable students to independently, from a scientific problem within Bioentrepreneurship, the main field of study, plan and carry out a scientific project.

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

• Demonstrate broad knowledge and understanding of the main field of study, as well as a considerable degree of specialised knowledge within the scope of the current project,
• search and critically assess relevant scientific literature in support of both broadening and deepening their knowledge within the scope of the current project,
• independently identify and formulate relevant research questions and critically, and creatively plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake advanced tasks within a predetermined time as well as establish a relevant and realistic research plan for the current project,
• demonstrate in-depth methodological knowledge and justify the choice of methods to solve a scientific problem within the main field of study,
• critically and systematically integrate knowledge and analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information,
• analyse and critically evaluate the results of their scientific study in the specific research field of the project as well as from a broader scientific, societal and ethical perspective,
• critically and objectively assess others' scientific work and give and receive relevant feedback,
• present their work, its conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in written and oral form both in an academic context, for a possible collaborative partner and from a broader popular science perspective,
• identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for their continuous learning,
• demonstrate a professional attitude concerning time planning, collegial cooperation and cooperation with a possible collaborative partner,
• show awareness of the ethical aspects that may of conducting a scientific study.

The course consists of an independent assignment as well as lectures and seminars where different aspects relevant to writing and implementing a scientific study are discussed. 

The project can be carried out at Karolinska Institutet or another university, company/organisation or public authority.

The course is given at the master's level, where the students are assumed to be familiar with the most common study methods in higher education. The fundamental pedagogical view is based on entrepreneurial learning and requires active student participation. Teaching will be in the form of independent work with a scientific report, mandatory seminars as well as presentations and public reviews.

A project proposal should be written according to instructions and be approved by the course leader before the student can start the project.

The examination is conducted in several steps:

• A project plan should be written according to instructions (Fail/Pass) and presented orally at a seminar (Fail/Pass).
• A mid-term report should be written according to instructions (Fail/Pass) and presented orally at a seminar (Fail/Pass).
• A written scientific report should be written and submitted according to instructions. The project should be presented orally (Fail/Pass). The student should also perform an oral critical review of another project (Fail/Pass). The final version of the written scientific report should be submitted after the oral presentation and forms the basis for the grade (Fail/Pass/Pass with distinction).

In order to pass the course, the student must get at least a grade of "Pass" on all examinations. In order to receive the grade "Pass with distinction" on the whole course, the student needs to get the grade "Pass with distinction" on the written scientific report and pass on all other examinations, as well as hand in the report by the due date. Submission of the written report after the deadline will result in the student missing the chance to get the grade "Pass with distinction".

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.

Compulsory participation
The examiner assesses if and how absence from compulsory parts can be compensated. Before the student has participated in compulsory parts or compensated absence in accordance with the course examiner's the student's course results will not be reported. Absence from a compulsory part may result in the student having to wait to compensate until the next time the course is given.

Limitation of the number of occasions to write the exam
Students who have not passed the regular examination are entitled to participate in five more examinations. If the student has not passed the exam after four participations, he/she is encouraged to visit the study advisor. If the student has failed six examinations, no additional examination or new admission is provided.

The number of times that the student has participated in one and the same examination is regarded as an examination session.
Submission of a blank exam is regarded as an examination session. An examination for which the student registered but not participated in, will not be counted as an examination.

Project Placement
The examiner may immediately suspend a student's project placement or equivalent if the student demonstrates serious deficiencies in knowledge, skills or attitudes in a way that trust with the partner may be damaged. When the project placement is interrupted in this way, the student will fail the current course element and one project placement opportunity is consumed. In such cases, an individual action plan will be formulated by the course leader, setting out what activities and knowledge tests are required for the student to be able to pass the course.

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

The course is given in English.

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