Master Thesis

F2026

Physics and Scientific Modelling

Master Thesis

Mandatory

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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Nicholas Bailey (nbailey@ruc.dk)

Nicholas Bailey (nbailey@ruc.dk)

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

U60746

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.

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's thesis exam based on the written product and the oral exam

The master's thesis can be written individually or in a group. Permitted group size: 2-3 students.

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's thesis exams are conducted as group exams.

The assessment is individual and based on the student's individual performance.
The assessment is an assessment of the master's thesis and the oral performance.

The character limits of the master's 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.

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

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

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

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 assessment criteria of the written product

• 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 and oral exam.

Regarding the use of generative AI at the exam

For project reports, bachelor's projects and master's theses, generative AI aids (GAI) are permitted in the work with the exam if the use is declared.

You must clearly declare how you have used generative artificial intelligence (GAI). This can be included as part of the methodology section or as a short statement at the end of your report. This means that you must describe how you have used GAI, e.g. for the preparatory work on the project, to ask questions and search for information, to receive feedback and criticism on your text, to carry out proofreading or to improve language and readability. It is important that you actively relate to your choice of tools in this way, as it is part of the entire process of creating the project, and thus part of your scientific method and professional communication.

The use of any specific text that is GAI-generated requires citation, just as when using all other sources from which direct quotations are used.

The use of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) must always take place within the framework of Roskilde University's ‘Guidelines for using generative artificial intelligence in written exams. In the library's guide, you can see more about how to cite AI, how you can account for your use of GAI, and Roskilde University’s Guidelines - https://libguides.ruc.dk/AI.

However, ordinary spell checking and other language suggestions, such as Word or other word processing programs, as well as programs for writing minutes and transcription, are permitted in all written exams and do not need to be declared.