Master Thesis in City and Regional Planning (BYGMAS)

The master thesis is an independent project in which the knowledge and skills acquired during the studies is applied on solving a given assignment.


Course description for study year 2023-2024. Please note that changes may occur.

Facts

Course code

BYGMAS

Version

1

Credits (ECTS)

30

Semester tution start

Autumn

Number of semesters

2

Exam semester

Spring

Language of instruction

English, Norwegian

Content

The master thesis is an independent project in which the knowledge and skills acquired during the studies is applied on solving a given assignment. It is through this assignment that the knowledge, skilles, abilities and competences as a future city and regional planner are demonstrated.

The assignment is normally carried out during the last semester of your studies, except the master's thesis of 60 ECTS that run over two semesters. At this stage the knowledge and know-how needed for accomplishing a relevant assignment in the field of studies is prerequisite.

Learning outcome

The master thesis is an individual project during which the candidate shows that he/she has the ability to independently make an in-depth study of a defined problem. With the help of theory, research methods, data collection and anlysis, as well as design skills, the student produces a project within city and regional planning, urban development or urban design. The project is concluded with a written report and/or graphic presentations of the submitted project. Physical and computer-based models can be part of the presentation.

A candidate who has completed and passed a master thesis should have:

  • an overview of relevant international literature, scientific reporting and ethical standards in the field, and manages to deal critically with various sources of information
  • the ability to reflect upon and evaluate existing theory and own work in a critical manner

A candidate who has completed and passed a master thesis should be able to:

  • present and communicate extensive independent work
  • describe the problem clearly and masters the terms and expressions within the academic field
  • analyse relevant theoretical models and/or studies supported by scientific research - masters analysis of relevant scholarly tools and techniques

A candidate who has completed and passed a master thesis should have general competance in:

  • giving an account of the academic problem and analyse results and independent conclusions according to the problem
  • critically evaluating the content of research literature and referring to sources according to research ethical standards
  • defending high moral standards in scientific, as well as other, context, thus being a good role model

Required prerequisite knowledge

Refer to Thesis writing at Faculty of Science and Technology for requirements of credits (ECTS) to assign the master thesis.

Exam

Form of assessment Weight Duration Marks Aid
Thesis 1/1 4.5 Months Letter grades All

Note that you primarily have only one attempt for writing the thesis, see section 3-10 number 4 in Regulations relating to studies and examinations at The University of StavangerA bachelor´s or master´s thesis that is not submitted by the deadline is considered not passed.For more information, please see Thesis writing at Faculty of Science and Technology.Deadline for withdrawal is April 1.

Course teacher(s)

Course teacher:

Cristian Tosa

Course teacher:

Tegg Westbrook

Course teacher:

David Chapman

Course coordinator:

Daniela Müller-Eie

Course teacher:

Harald Nils Røstvik

Head of Department:

Tore Markeset

Method of work

The faculty will help to develop a proposal for the master thesis, provide tutors and if applicable external contacts. The students themselves should actively formulate research problems together with the tutor. It is important both to the student and the advisor that a good collaboration is established. Relevant institutions for collaboration are public institutions or private companies that work with physical planning. The students can establish contact or get acces through the thesis portal.

Tutorials may be individual, colloquial or seminars. The work with the master's thesis counts as 30 ECTS which roughly accounts for 5 months full-time work. Submission of the master thesis can include a public presentation.

Overlapping courses

Course Reduction (SP)
Master thesis in urban development and design (MBUMAS_1) 30

Open for

City and Regional Planning - Master of Science City and Regional Planning - Master of Science Degree Programme, Five Years

Course assessment

There must be an early dialogue between the course coordinator, the student representative and the students. The purpose is feedback from the students for changes and adjustments in the course for the current semester.In addition, a digital course evaluation must be carried out at least every three years. Its purpose is to gather the students experiences with the course.

Literature

Search for literature in Leganto