Master's Thesis

Postgraduate course

Course description

Objectives and Content

The Master Thesis consists of three parts:

Part 1: MEDSTA 5 ECTS credits: "Medical Statistics (see separate course description)

Part 2: OD3MAST 3 ECTS credits: "Plan for the Master Thesis" (see separate course description)

Part 3: OD5MAST 12 ECTS credits: "Master Thesis" (including introductory seminar, library course, writing course, presentation of progress 4th year (8th semester) and presentation seminar 5th year (10th semester))

The Master Thesis for Master of Dentistry will in general be written as either an overview of literature, a laboratory project, a clinical case, a clinical work or a clinical trial. It must be evaluated (this will often be done based on or in relation to OD3MAST) whether the project needs ethical approval from The Ethical Committee (REK). If the project contains personal data, this have to be registered in "RETTE" at the UiB.

The thesis will usually be an independent academical work that contains an introduction (background), the chosen method for collecting data, results and a discussion (IMRaD-structure). In addition, it has to contain correct and relevant references to scientific literature within the relevant field the thesis is written.

Learning Outcomes

Upon submission and approval of the thesis, the student has the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge:

The student understands, upon completion of the course, the scientific process that leads to an academic work (a master's thesis). The student demonstrates understanding for how a project is initiated and framed, in order to achieve new knowledge.

Skills:

The student has the necessary skills, based on an idea (formulated e.g. in OD3MAST) that is necessary to be able to formulate a plan/draft for a research project. The students understands and is able to implement all parts of a project that leads to a completed master's thesis.

General competence:

The student understands how a research project is initiated and how this leads to a completed  work (a master's thesis). 

ECTS Credits

12 ECTS credits

Level of Study

Master

Semester of Instruction

Autumn and spring. The course starts in the spring semester (8th semester of the Master of Dentistry program) and ends the following spring (10th semester).
Required Previous Knowledge
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
OD3PROSJ - 9 ECTS credits
Access to the Course
Master of Dentistry
Teaching and learning methods
  • Introductory seminar, academic week, library course and writing course.
  • Student(s) and supervisor sign a contract of supervision.
  • The main part of  instruction will be in the form of supervision by the supervisor.
  • Scope of supervision in the course OD5MAST will usually be limited to 10 hours. Supervision may be conducted in person or through digital alternatives as well as replies on emails. The scope of supervision is for a single thesis, independent of the number of affiliated students.
  • Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

    8th semester: Presentation of progress of the thesis as part of the academic week.

    Forms of Assessment
    Assessment of submitted thesis. Presentation of the thesis is included as a section of  the assessment and before the final result is published.
    Grading Scale
    Pass/fail
    Assessment Semester
    Spring
    Reading List
    The course, being a thesis course, does not have a defined reading list.
    Course Evaluation
    The course is evaluated every three years, in accordance with the University of Bergen's system for quality in education.
    Examination Support Material
    All available aids can be used during the work with the project and thesis. It will be checked for plagiarism.
    Programme Committee
    Programme Committee of Dentistry.
    Course Coordinator
    Professor Stein Atle Lie
    Course Administrator
    Department of Clinical Dentistry