BIO-2201 Bachelor's Thesis in Biology - 10 stp

This course is reserved for Bachelor students at the study program Biology.

The course is also available to exchange students at a biology study program.

The thesis may consist of practical/experimental work and/or a literature review on previous research on a given or self-chosen topic.

The purpose of the thesis work is that the student should learn how to approach a biological question by defining a specific goal or hypothesis after reviewing published literature. When practical/experimental work is conducted, the student should be able to design a plan to answer the research question. Results from the experimental work and/or litterature review should be presented in an appropriate legible form. The structure of the thesis should follow the same format as an article in a scientific journal (Table of contents, Abstract, Introduction, (Methods), Discussion, Conclusions, (Appendices) and References).

When writing a bachelor's thesis, you are entitled to a supervisor who is employed at the Department of Arctic and Marine Biology. It is the student's responsibility to find a supervisor, but the study administration can assist in getting in touch with subject staff within the discipline you want to write about.

Knowledge:

• has a broad knowledge about the research and development work within the subject matter of the thesis
• can identify theories and choose analysis methods concerning the chosen topic and problem
• can follow accepted norms for academic writing
• can apply scientific methods satisfactorily(thesis based on practical/experimental work)

Skills:

• can formulate and define a focused biological research question in collaboration with a supervisor
• can collect, evaluate and examine relevant literature and scientific information within a certain biological discipline critically and independently shedding light on the chosen biological research question in writing
• can reflect upon and make well-founded choices in their academic work and adjust it under supervision
• can process and present relevant findings from experimental work and / or academic knowledge in an extended written format using the appropriate academic language

General competence:

• can plan and carry out an assignment, alone or as part of a group, over a four-month period-of-time in accordance with ethical requirements and principles
• can communicate key subject matter including theories, issues, discussions and solutions in writing
• has insight into relevant academic and professional ethical issues
• can exchange professional views and experiences with others with backgrounds in the same thematic area
• Is familiar with new thinking and innovation processes within the biological topic chosen for the thesis work

Individual studies and supervision.

Expected workload for writing a 10 ECTS bachelor thesis varies between 250 to 300 hours.