Master thesis in Business Administration, A2E - Agriculture Programme - Economics and Management
Information from the course leader
Welcome to the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Here you find important information that will be useful before arriving to Sweden and while you are a student. https://student.slu.se/en/studies/new-student/check-list/ • You need to have a student account in order to access Ladok Student at SLU and to sign up for exams. • You must be admitted and registered to attend the course. Unregistered students may NOT stay on the premises, for reasons of insurance. For this course, you cannot register yourself, the administration will receive information from the course leader and we will register you manually. • You have to register yourself via Ladok Student. The self-registration is open 5 workdays before the start of the course and 3 days after. If you have been admitted to the course with conditions, you cannot register online and must contact the course leader who decides if you can still register. Only registered students can participate in the course and have access to, for example, Canvas. • If you want to receive text messages with updates for the course, for example in case of cancelled lectures or room changes, please check that the correct mobile number is in Ladok Student. • During the second week of the course there will be a mandatory control of attendance. If you don´t participate in the control you risk losing your place on the course. • If you need special support, please inform the course leader at the start of the course, so that special arrangements can be made for example at the examination. Certificates from Nais shall be displayed every time. https://student.slu.se/en/study-support/study-support/funka/ • If you cancel the course, you should immediately notify the course leader via email, who in turn informs the educational administration to register a course break in Ladok. • You are automatically registered for the ordinary exams in Ladok Student. You can find your anonymous code in Ladok Student. Please note that you still have to register yourself for the re-exam in Ladok Student. This applies only to exams and re-exams within the department of economics. • Corrected exams can usually be collected Wednesdays from 12.30 - 14.30 in room D416 or D417 in Ulls Hus. During Covid-19 and the restrictions we ask you to e-mail us at ekon-adm@slu.se for help with collecting exams. If you have any questions, please contact the administration by emailing ekon-adm@slu.se
Course evaluation
The course evaluation is now closed
EX0906-30188 - Course evaluation report
Once the evaluation is closed, the course coordinator and student representative have 1 month to draft their comments. The comments will be published in the evaluation report.
Additional course evaluations for EX0906
Academic year 2023/2024
2024-01-15 - 2024-06-02
Academic year 2023/2024
2023-08-28 - 2024-01-14
Academic year 2022/2023
2023-01-16 - 2023-06-04
Academic year 2022/2023
2022-08-29 - 2023-01-15
Academic year 2021/2022
2022-01-17 - 2022-06-05
Academic year 2021/2022
2021-08-30 - 2022-01-16
Academic year 2020/2021
2020-08-31 - 2021-01-17
Academic year 2019/2020
2020-01-20 - 2020-06-07
Academic year 2019/2020
2019-09-02 - 2020-01-19
Academic year 2018/2019
2019-01-21 - 2019-06-09
Academic year 2018/2019
2018-09-03 - 2019-01-20
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
EX0906 Master thesis in Business Administration, A2E - Agriculture Programme - Economics and Management, 30.0 Credits
Självständigt arbete i Företagsekonomi, A2E - Agronomprogrammet - ekonomiSubjects
Business Administration Business AdministrationEducation cycle
Master’s levelModules
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Single module | 30.0 | 0301 |
Advanced study in the main field
Second cycle, contains degree project for Master of Arts/Master of Science (120 credits)Master’s level (A2E)
Grading scale
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.
Language
SwedishPrior knowledge
Knowledge equivalent to 30 credits at second-cycle level in business administration. A Pass grade for the independent project at first-cycle level, or a Bachelor’s degree. The student must have completed at least one course relevant to the subject of the independent project before starting the project. Knowledge of English equivalent to English 6.Objectives
The aim of the course is for the student, based on previously acquired knowledge, to independently plan, carry out and present an academic study within a given time frame. Through the independent project, the student will develop their skills in the academic work process and deepen their subject knowledge considerably.
On completion of the course, the student will be able to:
independently and creatively identify and formulate scientific questions;
independently search, compile, evaluate and critically interpret relevant information and literature;
independently plan and, using adequate methods, carry out a scientific study within given time frames;
analyse and evaluate data and/or findings on a scientific basis;
discuss contents and conclusions in a scientific work critically, and reflect on how the choice of question and method relates to the scientific and practical basis of the subject;
reflect on social and ethical aspects, sustainability aspects within the subject as well as ethical aspects of research and development;
present a scientific work in accordance with the prevailing practice of the discipline, adapted to the intended audience and according to the instructions given;
write a summary in English of a scientific report according to the instructions given;
write a popular science summary of a scientific work according to the instructions given;
present a scientific work orally and critically review and discuss, as well as give constructive criticism of, another student’s project, including method, conclusions and the context of the work in a wider perspective;
identify their own skill and knowledge development needs in the subject of the project.
relate the scientific questions to the agriculture sector’s complex system of resources and value-creating processes.
Content
The course involves carrying out an independent, academic project (degree project) under supervision. The project is to be carried out independently, using data collected by the student themselves, or equivalent data. The project should preferably be carried out individually, but the course coordinator can admit exceptions under certain circumstances. The set-up of the independent project should be documented in a work plan established in consultation with the supervisor before the project starts.
The project is to be presented orally and in writing, as seminars or an equivalent format, and according to the instructions given. The course also involves taking part in a public discussion of another student’s project in order to assess the ability to give constructive criticism.
Grading form
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.Formats and requirements for examination
A Pass grade for the written report and the oral presentation, as well as a Pass grade for the critical review of another student’s project. If the work has been carried out in pairs, it must be made clear to the examiner what each individual has contributed; this applies to both the written report and the oral presentation. The work effort and the scope of the work should correspond to 30 credits for each student, and each student must fulfil all intended learning outcomes. - If the student has not received a Pass grade for a test, the examiner has the right to give a supplementary assignment, provided this is feasible and can be justified.
If the student has been granted learning support due to a disability, the examiner has the right to offer an adapted test or let the student take the test in an alternative manner.
If this course syllabus is changed, or if the course is discontinued, SLU shall decide on transition rules for examination of students admitted under this syllabus but who have not yet completed the course.
For the examination of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow the student to add supplemental information after the submission date. For more information, please refer to the regulations for education at Bachelor’s and Master’s level.
If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.
The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.
If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.
For the examination of a degree project (independent project), the examiner may also allow the student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Other information
The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.
If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Additional information
Degree project courses for professional degrees have Swedish as the language of instruction but the degree project can be written in English.Once the student has received a Pass grade for the written report, this must be published in the SLU system for electronic publication (Epsilon), and checked for plagiarism. To be admitted to the course, the student must have an agreement with the supervising department concerning supervisor and the subject of the project.
Students are recommended to take a course corresponding to at least 5 credits in scientific methodology before starting their independent project. This requirement is fulfilled by students who follow the syllabus for SLU degree programmes. Students who have not completed an undergraduate programme at SLU are urged to take the web-based teaching components provided for undergraduate-level independent projects. A course in scientific methodology is any course or course component that contributes to the student fulfilling the qualification requirement of advanced method knowledge in the main field of study. The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies to the course date the student has been admitted to and registered on.
Responsible department
Department of Economics
Grading criteria
Grading criteria for EX0904 Master thesis in Business Administration, A2E
EX0906 Master thesis in Business Administration, A2E ?– Agriculture Programme - Economics and Management
In the table below, criteria are listed for each of the grading objectives identified in learning objectives identified in the course syllabi, by row, with relevant distinction of grade levels, 3, 4 and 5, by column. The achieved grade level for each objective is defined by the highest level for which required criteria have been met. Note that the criteria for each objective are cumulative, meaning that all of the minimum criteria for an underlying grading level must be met together with the additional criteria listed at the higher grade-level.
|
Objective The student, through the independent project, should: |
For grade level 3 for each objective, the following must be met |
For grade level 4 for each objective, the following must be met |
For grade level 5 for each objective, the following must be met |
|
Objective 1
Show and justify the relevance, the actuality and the quality of the research question based on a background description.
|
All of the following sub-criteria: ?The student has demonstrated the ability to place his/her work in a larger context. ?The student has demonstrated advanced knowledge in the academic subject area of the work. ?The student has demonstrated insight into the current state of research the field. ?The student has demonstrated ability to relate the research question to the agricultural sector's complex system of resources and value creating processes (Only EX0906). |
The following criterion: ?Through clearly identified issue(s) that are addressed, the student has demonstrated an advanced understanding of the field, which he/she can apply in original, novel, and/or critically reflective propositions/research questions. |
The following criterion: ?Through clearly identified issue(s) that are addressed, the student has demonstrated an advanced understanding of the field, which he/she can apply in propositions/research questions that advance the state of knowledge in the addressed fields. |
|
Objective 2
Show theoretical knowledge within the business administration field including both general breadth and depth of theoretical knowledge concerning the theoretical parts that are relevant to the thesis. |
All of the following sub-criteria: ?The student has demonstrated a breadth of knowledge of business administration in the development of the theoretical foundations of the project. ?The student has demonstrated advanced understanding in the choice and review of theory specifically relevant to the question(s) being addressed. |
One of the following criteria: ?The student has demonstrated a breath of knowledge of business administration in the choice and positioning of theory specifically relevant to the question(s) being addressed in a broader theoretical context. ?The student has demonstrated a breath of knowledge of business administration by clearly discussing the theoretical implications of the study in a broader business administration context. |
The following criterion: ?The student has demonstrated deep theoretical knowledge in the development of a clear and integrated theoretical foundation that includes critically reflective discussion of choices that have been made and their implications in the study. |
|
Objective 3
Present and justify a chosen method, discuss the problems that can arise during the data collection, the analysis and the compilation of the results including ethical aspects of chosen method.
|
All of the following sub-criteria: ?The student has demonstrated ability to identify and motivate the choice of a suitable method to address the identified research question(s). ?The student has demonstrated methodological understanding in discussion of the merits and problems associated with the chosen method. ?The student has shown awareness of eventual relevant ethical aspects arising with the chosen method. |
All of the following sub-criteria: ?The student has demonstrated good methodological understanding in the presentation and discussion of methodological choices – including, e.g., units of analysis, data collection method and data analysis techniques – and the consequences of the choices made for the outcome of the study. ?The student has demonstrated the ability to independently compile and analyse his/her data, including taking appropriate measure to assure quality in the research process. |
All of the following sub-criteria: ?The student has demonstrated strong methodological competence through well-grounded discussion of methodological choices that clearly include epistemological and ontological considerations. ?The student has demonstrated strong methodological competence through a methodological design and execution of data collection and analysis characterized by high rigor and attention to detail. |
|
Objective 4
In a structured and logical way, present the results of an analysis based on chosen theory/model(s), and discuss how achieved results relate to a study's aim and method. |
All of the following sub-criteria: ?The student has demonstrated the ability to arrive at and present results, supported by a logically consistent study design (aim; research question(s); theoretical foundation; method; analysis and discussion/conclusions). ?The student has demonstrated understanding of the contributions and limits of the results in discussion of how the achieved results relate to the stated aim. |
All of the following sub-criteria: ?The student has demonstrated a good ability to arrive at and present results with rhetorically coherent, rigorous and concise argumentation. ?The student has demonstrated a good ability to arrive at well-founded conclusions through a structured and logical presentation and discussion of their study results. |
The following criterion: ?The student has demonstrated a very good ability to arrive at and present academically founded results that reflect and contribute to a deep and critical understanding of the topic being addressed. |
|
Objective 5
Assess quality of the data and the generalizability and validity/the credibility in the results. |
All of the following sub-criteria: ?The student has demonstrated the ability to assess the quality of the results attained in the study, including their transferability, credibility, trustworthiness, generalizability, validity, and/or reliability, as appropriate for the employed method. ?The student has demonstrated understanding of the implications of data quality and selected methods on the quality of end results. ?The student has demonstrated understanding of the limits of her/his own skills and knowledge related to the subject of the project. |
The following criterion: ?The student has demonstrated a broader academic understanding of the value, quality, and implications of the study's results, including how the results relate to current understanding ("the state of the art") in the academic field, and how they hold societal (empirical) relevance. ?The student has demonstrated a critically reflective understanding of how her/his skills and knowledge have impacted the presented results.
|
Not possible for objective 5 |
|
Objective 6
Write a, in formal respects, academic report of high quality regarding structure, clarity and precision regarding details including precise and correct reference management. |
The following criterion: ?The student has demonstrated acceptable competence in written communication through the presentation of a well-structured academic report, with clarity of exposition, and suitable attention to detail, including proper academic referencing and formatting, and style appropriate for the intended audience. ?The student has presented an acceptable summary/abstract in English of the academic report. ?The student has presented an acceptable popular scientific presentation of the study. |
The following criterion: ?The student has demonstrated the ability to write an academic report that complies to defined standards[1] within a defined timeframe[2].
|
Not possible for objective 6 |
|
Objective 7
In a pedagogical and thorough way plan an oral presentation and the defence and carry out a constructive critical review of another thesis and give feedback to the authors of the thesis. |
The following criterion: ?The student has demonstrated good communication skills in the oral presentation and defence of the study. ?The student has demonstrated good communication skills in the oral discussion/opposition of another study. ?The student has demonstrated ability of academic constructive criticism in the oral and written discussion/opposition of another study. |
Not possible for objective 7 |
Not possible for objective 7 |
[1] Standards include title page, page and section numbering, Harvard referencing, as defined in the SLU Dept. of Econ. Independent Project Report in Business Administration template; and a maximum of 20000 words of number-chaptered text (Introduction through conclusions, excluding reference list).
[2] Timeframe is based on 20 weeks (30 credits) of fulltime work, with a time plan as set in the accepted project proposal.