Master Thesis, 20 credits

A Bachelor's degree or a professional qualification worth at least 180 credits or equivalent higher education qualification.

Applicant must master English and be able to strength knowledge corresponding to English knowledge (IELTS (with lowest results 6.0, of which at least 5.0 credit points in each part), TOEFL (paper based with lowest results 575 credit points and 4.0 on the writing section), TOEFL (Internet-based with lowest results 79 credit points, of which at least 17 credit points in each part).

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:
a) Knowledge and understanding

• Explain how a research project is developed from problem definition to design of study design and implementation of data collection.

b) Skills and abilities

• Identify, formulate and handle complex issues relevant  for  disasters and health.
• Identify relevant sources of information, carry out literature searches, assess the relevance of the literature and use correct reference management.
• Apply for the master thesis suitable approach, design, choices of appropriate methods for data collection and analysis.
• Apply general ethical principles in teh different steps of the master thesis process.

c) Judgement and approach

• Justify and critically discuss approach and method in the master thesis.
• Evaluate and critically discuss results and conclusions.

The Master thesis course consists of:
1. Scientific thesis: 20 HP
or
2. Internship: 5HP and Scientific Thesis:15 HP that will be examinated jointly.

Which of the two orientations is chosen is decided by the coursere leaders after consultation with the student.

Both orientations include the planning, implementation and reporting of a study in the form of a scientific thesis. The course includes the formulation of a research question, ethical considerations, literature review, selection of design and research methods, data collection and analysis, critical review and assessment of results, writing, presentation and defense of a thesis. The topic of the thesis should be in line with the program's objectives.

Orientation 1. Scientific Thesis 20 HP
The scientific thesis  may be based on primary data or secondary data from registers, for instance demographic surveys. It can also be compiled as a systematic review.

Orientation 2. Internship 5HP and Scientific Thesis 15 HP.
The internship is done at one of the, to the consortium associated partner's location. The internship includes collection of  data for the scientifc thesis. An internship report shall be annexed to the scientific thesis. 

Supervision includes: problem formulation, design, implementation, analysis and writing. Supervision can be divided between supervisors within the program at Karolinska Institutet and collaborating institution where collection of data takes place.

The examination consists of:

• To independently complete a written thesis in English based on a relevant subject for the Master programme
• To present, defend and discuss the work at a seminar with an examiner and two assisting members from the Erasmus Mundus Consortium.
• Orally perform as an opponent/discussant of another thesis at a seminar.

The seminar can be carried out at location or through video conference.

The student receives one final grade for the whole course (A-F). The final grade joins the three components above, where assessment of the quality of the thesis weighs heaviest. In order to pass the course, the student must obtain at least grade E on all parts. To obtain a higher grade, this grade is required on the essay and no more than two grades lower on the other parts.

After each course there will be at least 5 occasions for a re- examination within a period of two years from the end of the course.

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

The course is given in English.