DV1478 - Bachelor's Thesis in Computer Science - Blekinge Institute of Technology

1. Descision

This course is established by School of Computer Science and Communication 2013-12-11. The course syllabus is approved by Head of Department of Creative Technologies 2014-12-18 and applies from 2015-01-01.

2. Entry requirements

Admission to the course requires 130 ECTS credits completed of which 60 ECTS credits within Computer Science. At least 15 ECTS credits of the credits in Computer Science should be in programming (or equivalent) and at least 7.5 credit should be in level G2F.

3. Objective and content

3.1 Objective

The aim of the degree project is to enable students to integrate, specialise and further develop their knowledge and skills within a limited part of the field covered in previous courses of the programme. This includes the ability to independently identify an issue and formulate relevant research questions in computer science. A further aim is for students to plan, execute and present a first-cycle research project in the field of computer science. The project is to be of an investigative or constructive nature and include study of previous research and report writing. The final aim for the student is to report the results in speech and writing and critically review another project. The report is to meet the requirements and standards applicable to academic texts.

3.2 Content

The course includes four components:

1. Preliminary study and planning

2. Execution

a. research project

b. supervision

c. written report

3. Oral report and defence

4. Critical review

a. written

b. oral.

The preliminary study and planning comprise drawing up a project plan (project proposal) which includes a schedule for the project. In the research phase (Execution) the project is executed and documented in the academic report (Paper) in accordance with the schedule. In the oral report the students defend their degree project. Each student is also to critically review another degree project.

4. Learning outcomes

The following learning outcomes are examined in the course:

4.1. Knowledge and understanding

account for a number of current research issues in the main field of computer science

demonstrate specialised insight into a chosen sub-area in the main field of computer science

formulate and delimit a relevant research question or issue within the chosen area

account for applicable methods in the main field of computer science

4.2. Competence and skills

independently seek, retrieve and assess available literature and other background information of relevance to an issue in the main field of computer science

independently identify, formulate and solve problems in the main field of computer science

independently plan and complete tasks within predetermined time frames

demonstrate the ability to communicate the relevance, aim and results of the degree project to different audiences in speech and writing

independently outline and design a degree project observing the structure of research reports in the main field of computer science

critically review, assess and constructively criticise the degree projects of others with regard to issue, execution and results

4.3. Judgement and approach

demonstrate the ability to make assessments from a computer science perspective informed by relevant disciplinary, societal and ethical issues

demonstrate the ability to identify the need for further knowledge and ongoing learning

independently review and critically evaluate the papers of fellow students

5. Learning activities

The student is to work individually and independently and is responsible for ensuring that the degree project is completed within predetermined time frames and the scope of the supervision offered and that it satisfies the set quality requirements. Degree projects with more than one author must be approved by the examiner before they are commenced.

Each student is to be guided by an academic supervisor at BTH. In addition to the academic supervisor, a supervisor from business and industry or another higher education institution may be appointed.

The course starts with a series of introduction seminars. Thereafter, the student is to work independently on planning, execution and reporting of the degree project and critical review of a fellow student’s degree project. Throughout the work, the student is to keep an e-portfolio in the learning management system in which information on the status and progress of the degree project is regularly entered.

The final, revised, academic report is graded by the examiner after an oral presentation. The grade is based on the examiner’s own assessment and the results of the peer review. The project plan is also assessed by the examiner with support from the peer review.

The presentation and defence are to take place at first when (i) a project plan has been approved and (ii) the academic supervisor has informed the examiner in writing that the academic paper is sufficiently completed to be presented and defended. The supervisor’s assessment is no guarantee that the academic paper will be passed; the grade will be awarded by the examiner following the presentation and defence of the paper.

The project plan, the oral presentation and defence, the oral and written critical review and the academic paper are to comply with the instructions and templates included in Instructions for Degree Projects which is available at the Faculty of Computing.

The course is taught on campus. Students are to be available for supervision. The individual student is responsible for using the hours available for supervision economically. Supervision is not provided outside of the semester periods.

Students who fail to complete their degree project within the course period may receive further supervision but to a limited extent only. The student is, however, always entitled to have their degree project assessed at the next examination opportunity.

6. Assessment and grading

Modes of examinations of the course

Code	Module	Credit	Grade
1405	Thesis proposal	2 credits	GU
1415	Presentation	2 credits	GU
1425	Oposition	2 credits	GU
1435	Thesis	9 credits	AF

The course will be graded A Excellent, B Very good, C Good, D Satisfactory, E Sufficient, FX Failed result, a little more work required, F Fail.

The grades are awarded by the examiner, taking into consideration the results of the peer review.

The information before a course occasion states the assessment criteria and make explicit in which modes of examination that the learning outcomes are assessed.

An examiner can, after consulting the Disability Advisor at BTH, decide on a customized examination form for a student with a long-term disability to be provided with an examination equivalent to one given to a student who is not disabled.

7. Course evaluation

The course evaluation should be carried out in line with BTH:s course evaluation template and process.

8. Restrictions regarding degree

The course can form part of a degree but not together with another course the content of which completely or partly corresponds with the contents of this course.

9. Course literature and other materials of instruction

10. Additional information

This course replaces DV1446

This is not a legal document. If you would like a copy of the legal decision regarding this course plan, contact the registrar at Blekinge Institute of Technology.

Course syllabus