Master Thesis

E2023

Physics and Scientific Modelling

Master Thesis

English

Read about the Master Programme and find the Study Regulations at ruc.dk

Læs mere om uddannelsen og find din studieordning på ruc.dk

Tilmelding sker via STADS-Selvbetjening indenfor annonceret tilmeldingsperiode, som du kan se på Studieadministrationens hjemmeside

Registration through STADS-Selvbetjeningwithin the announced registration period, as you can see on the Studyadministration homepage.

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Studieleder for Fysik (fys-sl@ruc.dk)

Studieleder for Fysik (fys-sl@ruc.dk)

INM Registration & Exams (inm-exams@ruc.dk)

U60203

The objective of the master thesis is that the student reaches the research front in a selected area within physics and/or scientific modelling, the mathematical foundation of physics and scientific modelling, or in another field where thinking as a physicist and/or scientific modelling plays a role in advancing the field. The goal is that the student makes independent methodological choices and conducts experimental, computational and/or analytical work to solve a scientific problem.

The master thesis problem-oriented and exemplary and should address a research question within one of the following three variants.

• Fundamental research within physics and/or scientific modelling, the mathematical foundations of physics and scientific modelling, or a neighbouring discipline where thinking as a physicist and/or scientific modelling plays a role in advancing the field.

• Applied research where physics and/or scientific modelling plays a role in solving a problem.

• Research within philosophy, history or didactics of physics, mathematics and science in which having a background in physics, mathematics and scientific modelling contributes significantly to developing the understanding of the problem.

Student work independenly with solving a Scientific problem within physics and scientific modelling, the student has to choose relevant experimental, computational and/or analytical methods in collaboration with the supervisor.

Students themselves select relevant literature for their master thesis.

Master Thesis 30 ECTS / 810 hours

• Master Thesis Seminar: 4 hours

• Exam and assessment: 1 hour

• Supervision: 7 / 15 hours (theoretical / experimental)

• Report writing: 200 hours

• Literature search: 150 hours

• Practical project work (laboratory, model design, analysis, field work): 400 hours

• Exam preparation: 40 hours

All master thesis’ processes will include ongoing dialogue-based (oral) evaluation between the students and the supervisor. Both students and supervisors are expected to provide constructive feedback and viewpoints during the process. Feedback concerning the academic content and progression, process and collaboration. When the master thesis is handed in, there will also be an evaluation through a questionnaire in SurveyXact concerning the master thesis process and the master program in general. The Study Board will handle all evaluations. Furthermore, students can, in accordance with RUCs ‘feel free to state your views’ strategy through their representatives at the study board, send evaluations, comments or insights form their project process to the study board during or after the master thesis process.

The student must attend the preparatory thesis seminar. Information available on study and moodle.

After completing the master thesis the students will be able to

• demonstrate knowledge and expert level understanding of the theoretical concepts relevant for the project as well as their scope and relations

• independently choose, argue and understand the relevant analytical/numerical/empirical and/or experimental methods applied in the project

• critically relate the strengths and weaknesses of applied theories, methods and models in the project

• communicate the results achieved on a scientific level

• identify and formulate an exemplary research question within the selected area, which can be handled by using the means available

• discuss the significance of the results achieved critically and to relate the results to relevant scientific literature in the area, including in particular theoretical literature.

Master thesis written individually or in a group. Permitted group size: 2-4 students.

The student(s) can choose whether the assessment should be based on solely the written product or on both the written product and the oral exam.

The character limits of the master thesis are:
for 1 student: 24,000-367,200 characters, including spaces.
For 2 students: 24,000-367,200 characters, including spaces.
For 3 students: 24,000-367,200 characters, including spaces.
For 4 students: 24,000-367,200 characters, including spaces.

The character limits include the cover, table of contents, summary, bibliography, figures and other illustrations, but exclude any appendices.

The master thesis must include a summary. The summary can either be written in English or Danish.
The summary is included in the overall assessment.

Before submitting a master thesis written by a group, that have chosen an assessment solely based on the written product, each member of the group must clearly indicate which part(s) of the thesis they are responsible for.
All group members are responsible for the introduction, conclusion and summary.

The oral exam is individual for students that have written the thesis alone, or students that have requested an individual exam. All other oral master thesis exams are conducted as group exams.

Time allowed for exam including time used for assessment for:
1 student: 30 minutes.
2 students: 60 minutes.
3 students: 75 minutes.
4 students: 90 minutes.

There will be an individual assessment of each student’s performance.
The assessment is an overall assessment of the master thesis and, where relevant, the oral performance.

Writing and spelling skills in the thesis are part of the assessment.

Permitted support and preparation materials at the oral exam: All.

Assessment: 7-point grading scale.
Moderation: External examiner.

Samme som ordinær eksamen / same form as ordinary exam

Master thesis written individually or in a group. Permitted group size: 2-4 students.

The student(s) can choose whether the assessment should be based on solely the written product or on both the written product and the oral exam.

The assessment criteria of the written part

• demonstrate knowledge and expert level understanding of the theoretical concepts relevant for the project as well as their scope and relations

• independently choose, argue and understand the relevant analytical/numerical/empirical and/or experimental methods applied in the project

• critically relate the strengths and weaknesses of applied theories, methods and models in the project

• communicate the results achieved on a scientific level

• identify and formulate an exemplary research question within the selected area, which can be handled by using the means available

• discuss the significance of the results achieved critically and to relate the results to relevant scientific literature in the area, including in particular theoretical literature.

The assessment of the oral exam is based on the student’s ability to meet the criteria mentioned above and their ability to

• clearly present and communicate the scientific content of the project

• engage in a scientific dialogue and discussion with the supervisor and assessor

Furthermore, whether the performance meets all formal requirements in regard to both for the written og oral exam.