Thesis

Structure Type: Course
Code: KE16F087100
Type: Compulsory
Level: Bachelor
Credits: 15.0 points
Responsible Teacher: Turunen, Tero
Teacher Team: Taijala, Beata
Language of Instruction: Finnish

Learning Outcomes

The purpose of the thesis is to develop and demonstrate students' readiness to apply the knowledge and skills they have learned to practical situations and in this way support their growth into experts in their chosen profession. The thesis writing process develops students' problem-solving skills, scientific way of thinking, independent information acquisition and skills in writing reports. The thesis can function as a bride to the working world.

Student's Workload

Total work load 400 h

Prerequisites / Recommended Optional Courses

No previous studies are required.

Contents

Theses usually involve applied research and development to serve one's chosen professional field. Theses may take the form of a development project (for ex. the improvement of a company's current practices or the designing of new practices), a product or production (for ex. designing and development of a new product, tools, guidebook or event), or an empirical study (for ex. an operations model, evaluation research).

Recommended or Required Reading

Students read literature related to their thesis topic. Recommended literature on methodology includes:

- Heikkilä T. 2001. painos. Tilastollinen tutkimus. 3rd edition. Edita
Availability: http://tiny.cc/ikxxkx

- Hirsjärvi S. and Hurme H. 2001. Tutkimushaastattelu, teemahaastattelun teoria ja käytäntö. Yliopistopaino
Availability: http://tiny.cc/oyezkx

- Vilkka H. & Airaksinen T. 2003. Toiminnallinen opinnäytetyö. Gummerus.
Availability: https://plari.amkit.fi/vwebv/holdingsInfo?sk=fi_EN&bibId=54490

Mode of Delivery / Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

The learning process is based on the constructivist theory of learning. Students interpret their observations and the new information they have produced and relate it to their previous knowledge and experiences. Students usually do their thesis alone, but on some occasions they may do it together with someone else, in a group or as teamwork. The thesis is supervised by a teacher who assists students throughout the entire thesis writing process. Students are required to actively participate in seminars where they present their work twice in the beginning stages and once at the end of the process.

The following are included in the thesis writing process in addition to the written part of the thesis:
- Seminars and presentation of the thesis
- Test on the Guidelines for Writing a Thesis
- Information search
- Abstract in English
- Language maintenance test
- Checking of the use of language (communications teacher)
- Checking the English abstract (English teacher)
- Entering the thesis into the database
- Feedback
- Maturity Test

Assessment Criteria

The assessment criteria are the same for all students attending Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences and they can be found in Seinäjoki UAS's Intranet.

Assessment Methods

Grading will be announced during the course.

Further Information

The Thesis process is coordinated by Principal Lecturer Beata Taijala. The supervisors for the theses are chosen individually for each student. Please see also Guidelines for Writing UAS Degree Thesis.

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