Master’s Thesis – Roskilde University

F2024

Nordic Urban Planning Studies

Master Thesis

English

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

Registration is happing through STADS Online Student Service within the announced registration period, as you can see on the Study administration homepage.

30

David Pinder (dpinder@ruc.dk)

Tatiana Fogelman (fogelman@ruc.dk)

IMT Registration & Exams (imt-exams@ruc.dk)

U60338

Through the thesis, students should independently plan and perform an interdisciplinary analysis of project-oriented problem areas within the subject area of NUPS. This should draw on and contribute to relevant current international research in urban planning and urban studies and be based on appropriate qualitative and/or quantitative methods. Emphasis is also placed on effectively communicating findings and arguments as well as the implications of the study.

Readings should be identified and addressed according to the subject matter of the thesis.

The thesis is mostly the product of independent research conducted either individually or in a small group of up to 3 students. Each thesis student or group can expect up to 5 supervisory meetings of 60 minutes in addition to group based workshops. In addition, supervision will be supported by three group workshops that will focus on key elements of thesis research and writing, and that will encourage collaborative learning.

The proposed study intensity for a student in this activity: 810 hours

The proposed distribution of hours on teaching and learning activities Individual or group-based independent research (755 hours); supervisory meetings including preparation and debriefing (14 hours); group workshops and preparation: (15 hours); mid-term evaluation including preparation (20 hours); exam including preparation (6 hours)

Teaching and learning activities

• Thesis proposal (preparation meeting and group workshop held the semester before) • Independent research • Supervisions • Workshops on aspects of thesis planning and writing • Mid-term evaluation and peer feedback

Supervision meetings take place on campus or via means agreed with supervisor (for example, if research location requires online supervision).

Evaluation is via an anonymous online survey. The thesis process will also be reviewed at the NUPS Education Committee.

By the end of the thesis, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate research-based knowledge of selected subject areas and understand how the thesis fits into its wider academic and planning contexts

• Use appropriate urban planning theories and methods while working with a defined and relevant research question

• Identify relevant research questions and analyse, discuss, argue, reflect and evaluate on a social scientific basis

• Critically choose, work with and reflect on relevant sources, literature, theory and methods

• Write effectively in accordance with academic standards and for an academic target group

• Independently initiate, manage and conduct an extended academic study and writing process

• Identify and take responsibility for one’s own professional and written language development and specialisation.

Master thesis written individually or in a group

Permitted group size: 2-3 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: 100,800-163,200 characters, including spaces.
For 2 students: 146,400-172,800 characters, including spaces.
For 3 students: 151,200-182,400 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.

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

Students should start the oral exam by briefly presenting the project (max 5 minutes each). The exam is then a dialogue with the examiners, who may ask about any aspects of the project and its relations with the master’s programme. Assessment criteria Assessment consists of a joint assessment of the written project and the oral exam. Written project – emphasis is put on abilities to: • Identify relevant research questions and show understanding of how these relate to wider current academic and planning contexts and concerns • Demonstrate research-based knowledge appropriate to the project, and reflect critically on the significance of the project for planning studies and practice • Outline and evaluate critically relevant theories, methods and sources • Conduct and present an independent analysis of a relevant planning problem or case, drawing on appropriately defined research materials, and developing coherent arguments on their basis • Communicate findings and arguments clearly and effectively, in ways and language appropriate to the aims of the thesis. Oral exam – emphasis is put on abilities to: • Reflect critically on the design and approach of the study, including on its strengths and weaknesses, and on how the latter could be addressed • Discuss and evaluate critically the study’s findings, arguments and implications in relation to current debates and concerns in planning studies and practice.