Table of contents

The course is connected to the following study programs

Teaching language

English

Prerequisites

The master's thesis of 60 credits is reserved for students pursuing a research career or participating in an international educational collaboration. To be approved for writing the master’s thesis, the student must have passed minimum 60 ECTS credits at master level in the academic field for the master’s thesis. Courses on which the master’s thesis builds upon must be passed. The topic of the master’s thesis must be approved by the University of Agder.

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of the master’s thesis, the student

  • can carry out an independent research or development project under supervision and in accordance with applicable norms for research ethics
  • has specialized insight within the topic of the thesis
  • can define a relevant research question and a clear approach to the issue addressed.
  • can analyse and deal critically with various sources of information and use them to structure and formulate scholarly arguments
  • can analyse existing theories, methods and interpretations in engineering science and work independently on practical and theoretical problems
  • can use relevant scientific methods for research in an independent manner
  • can write a scientific report in a clear language, using the terminology of the academic field and the base criteria for references and academic structure.
  • can present and defend a scientific work orally
  • can contribute to new thinking and innovation processes in the engineering field

Contents

The master’s thesis is carried out individually or in groups of maximum two students, in one of the areas mechatronics, renewable energy or civil and structural engineering. The work will be characterised by research and will give specialised insight into a specific topic. The student will carry out a preliminary study of either literature review, preliminary tests or training within areas of current interests or techniques. A report with the characteristics of a research report describing problem, solutions, results and work, will be handed in. If applicable, prototypes and/or products may also be handed in. The thesis will be presented orally, in a public lecture.

If possible, the projects will be supervised in collaboration with industry and/or a partner university.

Teaching and learning methods

Independent and individual work. Compulsory meetings with supervisor at a minimum of 5 tutorials. The duration of the master thesis is two semesters, which gives an estimated workload of minimum 1600 hours for the average student.

Examination requirements

To be approved for handing in the thesis, the student must document:

  • Participation in at least five mandatory supervision meetings.
  • Approved research question.
  • Approved progress plan.

Submission deadlines are given at the start of the semester.

Examinations

Portfolio assessment with project report, project presentation, and oral examination conducted individually/in groups. Video recordings of the presentation and oral defense will be included as part of the assessment material in the portfolio. The individual components will not be given separate grades but will collectively form the basis for grading the entire portfolio. The portfolio will be given graded marks. Detailed information about the various components included in the portfolio will be provided on Canvas at the beginning of the semester.

In the event of a grade appeal, the entire portfolio, including video recordings of the presentation and oral defense, will be evaluated by a new assessment committee.

There will be no new/postponed exam for the portfolio.

Student evaluation

The person responsible for the course decides, in cooperation with student representative, the form of student evaluation and whether the course is to have a midway or end of course evaluation in accordance with the quality system for education, chapter 4.1.
Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem) Oct. 15, 2026 2:28:32 PM