Master Thesis, 20 credits

A Bachelor's degree or a professional degree of at least 180 credits in Health, Management and Administration or Social Sciences. Applicants must have a good command in English.

Applicants must prove a C1 English level (IELTS (minimum score of 6.0 with at least 5.0 point in each section); TOEFL (paper based) at least 575 points with 4.0 in the writing section; TOEFL (IBT) 79 points with at least 17 points in every section).

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 the 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 course is divided in two elective tracks. Which track the student will take is decided by teh course leader in discussion with the student.  
Orientation 1. Scientific thesis: 20 hp
or
Orientation 2. Internship and scienticif thesis: 20 hp 

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.

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.

The scientific thesis is based on data collected during the internship, orientation 2 field study 5hp. Supervision of the thesis work is carried out by the KI-supervisor in collaboration with the co-supervisor from the associated partner.

The field study is an elective part of the course in combination with the scientific thesis 15hp. The field study implies that the student during approximately three - four weeks visits an associate partner of the Erasmus Mundus consortium. The aim is to carry out data collection for the scientific thesis. Other assignments might be included as part of the internship. The internship is prepared in collaboration with a co-supervisor from the associated partner and a main-supervisor from KI.

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.

A student that has failed in a regular examination has the right to participate in additional five examinations.

The course has been cancelled

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

The course is given in English.