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Basic Project 3 - Natural Sciences and Theory of Science

Semester
E2025
Subject
International Bachelor Study Programme in Natural Science
Activity type
basic project
Teaching language
English
Registration

Students will be registered automatically, but have to confirm this registration by signing up for exam as a group. If you have to sign up for the project again, please contact inm-exams@ruc.dk.

Detailed description of content

The project should be based on a research question that allows reflections on the nature of natural science, i.e., where natural science is studied as historical, cultural, or societal phenomenon.

The project work thus focus on philosophical analysis of natural science, where e.g., epistemological, historical, educational, or ethical aspects of natural science are studied. The projects can be said to be "about" science. Natural science is understood to be the subjects affiliated with Nat Bach, including chemistry, computer science, environmental biology, geography, mathematics, medical biology, molecular biology and Tek Sam.

You can read about the study programme, project work, studycurriculum, rules and more at the intranet

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.

In the library's guide, you can see more about how to cite AI and how you can account for your use of GAI - read them here.

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.

Project Process

The project is problem-oriented, exemplary and participant-led. The project work must develop the student's skills in applying scientific theories and methods during work with a limited academic field. The project work involves an optional and independent formulation of a problem, so that the project provides an exemplary realization of the purpose of the project in question. The project work concludes with the preparation of a project report.

As an integrated element of the project, the student's competence in academic communication is developed in a scientific context through dissemination in oral lectures, via posters, in the project report or possibly. in another form of written communication to a specific audience.

Expected work effort (ECTS-declaration)

Project work is 15 ECTS corresponding to a 405 hour workload. Nat Bach has issued a guide for the workload during the semester intranet-side

  • Start-up/group formation: 28 hours

  • Research question seminar: 4 hours

  • Mid-term evaluations: 3 hours

  • Internal evaluation: 3 hours

  • Presentation seminar: 4 hours

  • Project exam: 2 hours

  • Group supervision (incl. Practical help in ex lab/field): ca. 25 hours

  • in total = 69 hours

  • Report writing: 85 hours

  • Literature search and processing in group: 115 hours

  • Practical work e.g. lab, model design, analysis, fieldwork: 110 hours

  • Exam preparation: 25 hours

- In total: 405 hours

Head of studies/academic coordinator
Martin Niss (maniss@ruc.dk)
Administration of exams
INM Registration & Exams (inm-exams@ruc.dk)
Responsible for the activity
Martin Niss (maniss@ruc.dk)
Tina Hecksher (tihe@ruc.dk)
ECTS
15
Learning outcomes and assessment criteria
  • Knowledge of scientific theory aspects of subjects within the Natural Sciences

  • Knowledge of philosophical, historical, didactic and ethical aspects of Natural Sciences

  • Knowledge of natural scientific concepts, theories and methods relevant to the chosen issue

  • Skills to be able apply relevant empirical methods, including qualitative methods when applicable

  • Skill to be able to select and draw upon relevant literature, including scientific-theoretical literature and relevant original scientific sources

  • Skills to be able to describe an issue within the Naatural Sciences in such a way that it becomes accessible to scientific-theoretical analysis and reflection

  • Skills to be able to communicate one’s own investigations of and reflections on Natural Sciences in conformity with academic norms and standards, both in a project report as well as in other written or oral communication

  • The competence to be able to formulate and investigate a relevant research question, both independently and in cooperation with others, that illuminates the Natural Sciences from a scientific-theoretical perspective

  • The competence to be able to analyze Natural Sciences and the language of Natural Sciences based on philosophical, historical, didactic or ethical perspectives

  • The competence to be able to critically consider the strengths and weaknesses of chosen theories and methods

  • The competence to be able to in organize and manage a project within defined frameworks and with in deadlines

Mandatory or elective

Project

Overall content

The purpose of the project is for the student to gain experience with scientific-theoretical analysis of natural science as a historical, cultural and societal phenomenon through working with a representative example.

Teaching and working methods

The project is problem-oriented, exemplary and participant-led. The intention of the project work is to develop the student’s proficiency in applying natural science theories and methods while working on a delimited academic area. The project work entails the student independently formulating a problem statement of their own choosing so that the project provides an exemplary realisation of the purpose of the project in question. The project work concludes with the preparation of a project report. An integrated part of the project is to develop the student’s competences in academic communication in a scientific context through sharing knowledge via oral presentations, posters, the project report or some other form of written communication aimed at a specific target group.

The project work's teaching process includes the following elements, in which each student must participate:

  • Project supervision by an assigned project supervisor.
  • The project formation process, including the study program activity as well as the selection and delimitation of the project's problem.
  • The problem formulation seminar, where the project's problem is presented and discussed within the team.
  • The mid-term evaluation, including the preparation of written mid-term evaluation proposals and the group's opponent role during the mid-term evaluation.
  • The group's project presentation and opponent role during the internal final evaluation.

Over the course of the project work, the group will undergo an evaluation together with the supervisor in connection with the halfway evaluation and once more at the end of the project.

Form of examination
Oral group exam for the participants in the project.

The starting point for the oral exam is the project report and any supplementary material. The exam includes individual presentations within one of the topics selected by the examiner, which will be communicated to the students no later than 3 working days prior to the exam. Each individual presentation may last up to 5 minutes. A dialogue between the student(s) and the assessors about the project, will be conducted after the individual presentation(s).

There may be posed questions related to the subject area of the project report.

The assessment is individual and is based on the project report, any additional material and the student´s oral performance.

Permitted group size: 3-7 students.

The character limits of the project report are:
For 3 students: 24,000-192000 characters, including spaces.
For 4 students: 24,000-192000 characters, including spaces.
For 5 students: 24,000-204000 characters, including spaces.
For 6 students: 24,000-204000 characters, including spaces.
For 7 students: 24,000-204000 characters, including spaces.
The character limits include the cover, table of contents, abstract, bibliography, figures and other illustrations, but exclude appendices.

The project report must include an abstract in English, that is part of the assessment.

Time allowed for the exam including time used for assessment is for:
3 students: 75 minutes.
4 students: 90 minutes.
5 students: 105 minutes.
6 students: 120 minutes.
7 students: 135 minutes.



Permitted support and preparation materials at the oral exam: All

Assessment: 7-point grading scale
Moderation: Internal co-assessor.
Form of Re-examination
Samme som ordinær eksamen / same form as ordinary exam
Exam code(s)
Exam code(s) : U26532
Last changed 23/10/2025

lecture list:

Show lessons for Subclass: 1 Find calendar (1) PDF for print (1)

Monday 01-09-2025 12:15 - 01-09-2025 16:00 in week 36
Basic Project 3: Natural Sciences and Theory of Science
Project Formation

Tuesday 02-09-2025 12:15 - 02-09-2025 16:00 in week 36
Basic Project 3: Natural Sciences and Theory of Science
Project Formation

Wednesday 03-09-2025 12:15 - 03-09-2025 16:00 in week 36
Basic Project 3: Natural Sciences and Theory of Science
Project Formation

Thursday 04-09-2025 08:15 - 04-09-2025 14:00 in week 36
Basic Project 3: Natural Sciences and Theory of Science
Project Formation

Friday 05-09-2025 10:15 - 05-09-2025 16:00 in week 36
Basic Project 3: Natural Sciences and Theory of Science
Project Formation

Thursday 11-09-2025 23:00 - 11-09-2025 23:45 in week 37
Basic Project 3: Natural Sciences and Theory of Science
23:59 - Deadline for signing up for projects / Deadline for registrering af eksamensgrupper (via STADS)

Wednesday 01-10-2025 12:15 - 01-10-2025 16:00 in week 40
Basic Project 3: Natural Sciences and Theory of Science
Research question seminar

Wednesday 15-10-2025 12:15 - 15-10-2025 18:00 in week 42
Basic Project 3: Natural Sciences and Theory of Science
Midterm Evaluation / Midtvejsevaluering

Friday 17-10-2025 08:15 - 17-10-2025 18:00 in week 42
Basic Project 3: Natural Sciences and Theory of Science
Midterm Evaluation / Midtvejsevaluering

Wednesday 22-10-2025 12:15 - 22-10-2025 18:00 in week 43
Basic Project 3: Natural Sciences and Theory of Science
Midterm Evaluation / Midtvejsevaluering

Friday 24-10-2025 08:15 - 24-10-2025 18:00 in week 43
Basic Project 3: Natural Sciences and Theory of Science
Midterm Evaluation / Midtvejsevaluering

Wednesday 29-10-2025 12:15 - 29-10-2025 18:00 in week 44
Basic Project 3: Natural Sciences and Theory of Science
Midterm Evaluation / Midtvejsevaluering

Friday 31-10-2025 08:15 - 31-10-2025 18:00 in week 44
Basic Project 3: Natural Sciences and Theory of Science
Midterm Evaluation / Midtvejsevaluering

Friday 21-11-2025 13:00 - 21-11-2025 15:00 in week 47
Basic Project 3: Natural Sciences and Theory of Science
Class Meeting, NIB3

Tuesday 02-12-2025 08:15 - Thursday 04-12-2025 18:00 in week 49
Basic Project 3: Natural Sciences and Theory of Science
Internal Evaluation / Slutevaluering

Thursday 18-12-2025 09:00 - 18-12-2025 10:00 in week 51
Basic Project 3: Natural Sciences and Theory of Science
Project Hand-in, Exam - deadline at 10:00

Friday 16-01-2026 08:15 - 16-01-2026 16:00 in week 03
Basic Project 3: Natural Sciences and Theory of Science
Presentation seminar

Thursday 22-01-2026 08:15 - Friday 30-01-2026 18:00 in week 04 and week 05
Basic Project 3: Natural Sciences and Theory of Science
Ordinær mundtlig projekteksamener / Oral project exams

Monday 02-02-2026 08:15 - Friday 27-02-2026 18:00 in week 06 to week 09
Basic Project 3: Natural Sciences and Theory of Science
Omprøve / Reexam