Course
Bachelor Thesis in Civil Engineering - Urban and Regional Planning (BYGBBAC)
The bachelor's thesis is an independent project in which you will apply the
knowledge acquired during your studies for solving a given assignment. It is through this
assignment that you will show your abilities and qualities as a coming engineer.
The assignment will normally be carried out during the last semester of your studies. At this stage you will have acquired the knowledge and know-how needed for accomplishing a relevant assignment in your studies.
Course description for study year 2016-2017. Please note that changes may occur.
Semesters
Facts
Course code
BYGBBAC
Credits (ECTS)
20
Semester tution start
Autumn
Language of instruction
Norwegian
Number of semesters
2
Exam semester
Spring
Content
Theses for the Bachelor degree may be very different. Many projects include design or planning tasks, while others may be more theoretical. One project may consist of an overview presenting a topic on the basis of different literature sources, a more theoretical discussion project or a project where the student must to solve a concrete problem or develop a concept or plans.
In general the report should have a clearly defined message, be well structured, easy to browse through and easy to read. Arguments for and against a given, and should be presented in a logical way. A fellow student with the same background should be able to read the presentations without having to resort to extra information material in order to understand the message.
Reproduction of textbooks etc. on general theory and knowledge should be limited, and should be relevant to the topic. Footnotes acknowledging the source of statements must be comprehensive, and a complete reference list of used literature must also be made.
For further information about the thesis for the Bachelor degree, please see the link:
http://intra.his.no/COMMON/WEBCENTER/WEBCenter.nsf/Dok/73D430A21C1FB319C1256DC200300A90?OpenDocument&Connect=6&Lang=Norsk
Learning outcome
The thesis for the Bachelor degree consists of an independent project in which the students are to use the knowledge they have acquired during their years of study in order to solve a given problem. Through this problem the students should show some of their skills and qualities as future engineers.
A candidate who has completed and passed his or her bachelor assignment has acquired the following learning outcomes:
He/she
- is able to work independently
- is able to describe the problem as presented clearly, according to the terms and expressions within the academic field
- has some experience in literature search, scientific reporting and ethical standards in the field
- is able to apply relevant theoretical models and/or studies supported by scientific research
- is familiar with and able to reason about relevant scholarly tools and techniques
- is able to give an account of the academic problem and link the conclusion to the problem
- is able to evaluate his/her own work critically
- is able to defend high moral standards in scientific, as well as other, context, thus being a good role model
- is able to exchange opinions and experiences with others and be able to participate in a scientific debate in a constructive and useful way
- is able to determine when a scientific disagreement is of a paradigmatic nature, and be able to deal with the debate accordingly
Required prerequisite knowledge
Exam
| Form of assessment | Weight | Duration | Marks | Aid | Exam system | Withdrawal deadline | Exam date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One approved assignment | 1/1 | Letter grades | Inspera assessment | 01.11.2016 | — |
A bachelor's or master´s thesis can normally be submitted only once, cf. Regulations for Examinations at the University of Stavanger, § 7.1. The dean can allow one more attempt if a student wants to improve her/his grade. The student(s) must then write a new thesis on a new topic.
A bachelor's or master´s thesis that has been graded Fail, can only be submitted again once in a revised form. It must be handed in within the deadline and counts as a second sitting for examination, cf. Regulations for Examinations at the University of Stavanger, § 8,2g. A bachelor´s or a master´s thesis not submitted in time will be graded Fail.
For more information:
http://student.uis.no/getfile.php/Intranett%20Studentsider%20og%20ansattsider/Regulations.pdf
Philosophy of science and Ethics
The essay must be submitted by March 15 (the essay must be between 7 and 10 pages). Topic for essay (Philosophy of science or Ethics) will be selected randomly after the last lecture. The essay is submitted electronically using It's learning.
Grade: Pass/No pass
For students who get a no pass, an improved essay can be resubmitted within two weeks after the grades were made public. A pass is required for a student to be allowed to submit the bachelor thesis.
For students who are writing their bachelor thesis during fall, the course must be taken the previous semester. It is not possible to take the course one year early for student that is writing the bachelor thesis during the spring semester. If a candidate withdraws from the bachelor thesis (deadline during the spring semester is February 1), then the candidate cannot submit the essay in philosophy of science.
If the essay has been passed, but the candidate wants to resubmit the bachelor thesis (because it failed or to obtain a improved grade), the pass will stand.
Coursework requirements
Course teacher(s)
Head of Department:
Tore MarkesetCourse teacher:
John Charles GrønliCourse teacher:
Daniela Müller-EieCourse coordinator:
Daniela Müller-EieCourse teacher:
Lene BjørnøCourse teacher:
Anne Merete SkoglandCourse teacher:
Ari Krisna Mawira TariganCourse teacher:
Kirsten WelschemeyerCourse teacher:
Fabio Alberto Hernandez PalacioCourse teacher:
David ChapmanMethod of work
It is important both to the student and the advisor that a good cooperation routine is established during the execution of the project. This may e.g. take the form of regular meetings in which the student will present and discuss his/her work as it develops. Preferably the student should have written something that can form the basis of the conversation/discussion with the advisor. It is an advantage to start writing the thesis at the earliest possible stage. All students have a maximum of 5 months from the problem has been given until the report must be handed in.
Philosophy of science and Ethics:
The lectures will be 4 hour per week in week 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. It is planned to stream the lectures. The essay must be submitted by March 15 (the essay must be between 7 and 10 pages). Topic for essay (Philosophy of science or Ethics) will be selected randomly after the last lecture. The essay is submitted electronically using It's learning.
Overlapping courses
| Course | Reduction (SP) |
|---|---|
| Theory of Science and Ethics (BIB460_1) , Bachelor Thesis in Civil Engineering - Urban and Regional Planning (BYGBBAC_1) | 5 |
Open for
Literature
Depends on the type of project. However, all literature used to solve the problem must be listed as references. References are lists of the books, articles, manuals etc. that are referred to in the report. It is important that it is made clear in the report which parts are your contributions and which parts have been taken from other sources. If you reproduce text from e.g. an article, the reader must be informed hereof. Wordings such as "..this paragraph has to a great extent been taken from...", "...this paragraph was inspired by..." can be used to give the best possible description of the actual situation. If you quote sentences, the source must be stated clearly. Make a note of sources as you go along. It will often be difficult to find them afterwards. Each reference must include the following three elements:
1. The name of the writer
2. The title of the book/article/etc. with publication year
3. Information about the publisher.
Literature Philosophy of science and Ethics:
Per Arne Bjørkum: Annerledestenkerne - En reise i vitenskapens historie, 3. utg. 2009
Svein Aage Christoffersen; Handling og dømmekraft, 2012.