BACHELOR'S THESIS

Structure Type: Module
Code: EOPINNÄ
Type: Compulsory
Level: Bachelor
Credits: 0.0 points
Responsible Teacher: Turunen, Tero
Teacher Team: Taijala, Beata ; Joensuu-Salo, Sanna ; Turunen, Tero ; Imppola, Jorma ; Viljamaa, Anmari
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 bridge to the working world.

Student's Workload

Total work load 400 h

Prerequisites / Recommended Optional Courses

It is recommended that the student has completed the first two years of studies prior to the thesis process.

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 or evaluation research).

Recommended or Required Reading

Students read literature related to their thesis topic. Recommended literature includes

- Heikkilä T. 2001. painos. Tilastollinen tutkimus. 3rd edition. Edita
- Hirsjärvi S. and Hurme H. 2001. Tutkimushaastattelu, teemahaastattelun teoria ja käytäntö. Yliopistopaino
- Vilkka H. & Airaksinen T. 2003. Toiminnallinen opinnäytetyö. Gummerus.

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 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
Feedbacks
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 the Seinäjoki UAS's Intranet.

Further Information

See the Guidelines for Writing a Thesis (available on Seinäjoki UAS intranet). Additional information about the thesis writing process is offered at the beginning of the academic year.

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