spring 2025
ENG-3991 Master's Thesis in English Linguistics - 60 ECTS
Course content
The master's degree is a piece of independent research on a limited topic within English linguistics.
The topic of research will be decided upon in collaboration with a specialist teacher. The thesis could also be written as either, part of a broader research project, or may build on one of the courses taught.
Objectives of the course
The students have the following learning outcomes:
Knowledge
The student has:
- a thorough knowledge of and greater understanding of a defined area of the subject
- knowledge of current ethical requirements and guidelines within the field of research
Skills
The student is able to/can:
- formulate a question of enquiry and prepare a methodical plan for investigating the enquiry of research
- master literature searches and the proper use of research literature
- analyse data from the investigation, and discuss and draw conclusions about the research enquiry
- write an extensive project where the language is well formulated and correct in usage
Competence
The student has:
- developed the ability to discuss critically and with a theoretical and methodical basis
- become capable of carrying out independent project work, solve problems by preparing, organizing and discussing an extensive material based on a suitable set of methods.
Teaching methods
New master's degree students will be assigned a contact person from within the specialist teachers. The contact person will advise on the master's degree requirements and suggest potential supervisors. A supervisor will be assigned once a thesis topic is selected. Supervision will be given individually, and in certain cases, in groups in the form of dissertation seminars and the like.
Full time students have the right to supervision for up to two years. Part time students with a study progression of 50%, have the right to "half" supervision for four years. Supervision beyond this is not given.
Schedule
Examination
| Examination: | Date: | Duration: | Grade scale: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment | 15.05.2025 14:00 (Hand in) | 2 Semesters | A–E, fail F |
Coursework requirements:To take an examination, the student must have passed the following coursework requirements: |
|||
| A project outline | Approved – not approved | ||
More info about the coursework requirements
In the first term, a project outline has to be submitted to the supervisor(s). This outline should include a brief explanation of the research question(s) to be investigated, the type of material the work will build on, what theories and methods will be used, how the project will be structured, and an overall project plan.
The project outline is to be approved by the assigned supervisor.
More info about the assignment
The dissertation is normally a piece of scientific research of 70-100 pages in length (about 2000 characters per page). Illustrations, graphs and the like are not included as part of the overall page total. However, should the thesis include sound and photo media, extensive experimental work and so on, the text must total at least 40 pages in length.
It is usual that a master's thesis is an individual piece of work; however, two or three students can collaborate on a dissertation. In the event that this is the case, the overall size of the dissertation will also increase proportionally by 50%-100% to include the contributions of all participants.
The master's degree thesis will be evaluated with a grade as a written examination once it has been submitted. In addition to a grade, a written comment from the censors will be given, outlining the positive and less positive aspects of the thesis.
In the case of collaborated work by a group of two or three students, all members of the group have responsibility for the thesis, and all contributors of the group will receive the same grade.
- About the course
- Campus: Tromsø |
- ECTS: 60
- Course code: ENG-3991
- Responsible unit
- Department of Language and Culture
- Earlier years and semesters for this topic