FSK-2551 Mini Research Bachelor Project - 10 stp

In this course, students will independently develop a tangible or intangible research product, and communicate it in an accountable and reproducible manner. The research product will be a novel type of knowledge, good or service. The research project can take different forms, such as a scoping review, a simple meta-analysis of scientific literature, experimental or observational investigations, the development of a useful laboratory technique, experimental method, fishing gear or software, a market analysis, a legal analysis, a consultancy report, the analysis of the structure of a value chain or of the processes in an organization. The project fits both students with strong theoretical background and those who prefer a more practical approach to research. The communication medium will be the most useful for the research at hand and its target audience. The purpose of the project is to stimulate curiosity, own initiative, innovation spirit, utilization of the scientific method, establishment of professional networks, and the development of diverse communication skills, active learning and solution-focused thinking.

The deliverables will depend on the type of research, but should nevertheless comply with the requirements of novelty in content, reproducibility, accountability and good ethical practice. A traditional literature survey will typically require a detailed analysis of about 300 text pages and result in an essay of 15 written pages. Other research products may be presented using alternative materials, digital or video support. When the project has a strong practical or design component, the student submits the product and a 10 page project narrative, which is a detailed technical report. All students must perform a final public presentation of the project, normally a 15 minutes oral or visual presentation.

Admission requires a basic knowledge in biology, economics, social sciences or a combinations of these, or equivalent qualification.

Nordic applicants: Admission requirements are generell studiekompetanse.

Application code: 9197

International applicants: Higher Education Entrance Qualification and certified language requirements in English. A list of the requirements for the Higher Education Entrance Qualification in Norway can be found on the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education website - nokut.no

Knowledge

• Designs and states a research project
• Reviews previous scientific and technical literature, product specifications or user-experiences
• Analyses the topic of research beyond the elementary level of textbooks
• Develops work hypotheses and systematic tests
• Demonstrates familiarity with one methodological framework
• Argues critically for achieved results

Skills

• Investigates, conceptualizes and generates relevant solutions for research or design problems.
• Has a critical understanding of research, product or service design with reference to a problem and its relation to stakeholder expectation and user-experience.
• Searches, locates and cites correctly recent information or patents from different sources
• Expresses research results in an user-oriented communication form

General competences

• Recognizes problems and searches for solutions
• Manages a project throughout its life-cycle
• Demonstrates capacity for collaborative and self-directed activity
• Makes use of research or professional networks

The threshold performance at Bachelor’s level (EQF level 6) requires a critical understanding of theories and principles, ability to solve complex and unpredictable problems in a specialized field and the capacity to manage own work and that of others.

Teaching methods: Individual supervision.

The course requires that a scientific staff at the department is available, and has the competence in the required field. The adviser will submit the title and a summary proposal of the research for approval by the Norwegian College of Fishery Science.

Under supervision, the student will develop a research plan, search information sources, and submit the final product. A scoping review will typically require a detailed analysis of about 20 articles from the primary and secondary literature, and result in an essay of 15 written pages. Other research products (e.g. installation) may be presented using alternative materials, digital formats, or video support. If the project has a strong practical or design component, the student will submit the product along with a 5-page project narrative, which serves as a detailed technical report.