BIO599 Master thesis in medical laboratory science

Contents and structure

The master's thesis shall contribute to further develop existing knowledge in medical laboratory technology, where the student will apply professional theory and research methods; a fundament learned earlier in the programme. Master's thesis work will develop theoretical and clinical understanding and insight into research methodology, as well as the student's skills to collect and handle data. The course develops the ability for critical and analytical thinking, as well as relevant research ethics assessment ability.

The master's thesis may include collection of own data material, use of pre-collected data material and/or systematic literature studies. The possibility of collecting own data, or using available research data from the supervisor or others, must be clarified early in the execution of the project. Close collaboration with the clinical field is warranted. Parts of the work on the master's thesis can also be carried out at other partner institutions elsewhere in Norway or in other countries.

The student must have a minimum of two supervisors; one main supervisor and one co-supervisor. At least one supervisor must be employed at HVL. The student will fill out a supervision agreement together with supervisors as early as possible at the start of the master's thesis. The agreement must be signed after the topic and methodology have been chosen for the master's thesis. The student, supervisors and course coordinator must sign this agreement.

In addition to the preparation of the master's thesis, the student will participate on seminars for master students where they will present own thesis work and provide feedback to other students work presentations.

Learning Outcome

A student who has completed the course has the following total learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge: 

Student

• has advanced knowledge and professional insight within the chosen topic area.
• has in-depth knowledge of the research process and research ethics.
• can clarify about privacy/protection in relation to project development, data collection and data storage.

Skills: 

Student

• can carry out independent scientific work.
• can limit/narrow an academically relevant problem.
• can analyze the knowledge base for a narrowed topic in medical laboratory technology and laboratory medicine.
• show caution in ethical issues in their own research work.
• can analyze and interpret results from their own research work.
• can master professional terminology within the chosen specialty and can disseminate research results both nationally and internationally.

General competence: 

Student

• can work independently with practical and theoretical problem solving.
• can contribute to new thinking through research and assess the transfer value of the research work
• can discuss challenges and recommend strategies for the application of selected methods in medical laboratory technology.

Entry requirements

MAMET1MLT - Philosophy of science, ethics and research methods

BIO501 - Quality assurance of medical laboratory analyses

Recommended previous knowledge

Has completed 60 credits of theoretical courses in the master's program in medical laboratory technology.

Teaching methods

Master's thesis work is individual work, with support from academic supervisor(s). There is an opening for two students to write the master's thesis together.

Each semester, a seminar is arranged for the master's students including resource lectures and student presentations.

The student designs a project plan (the student is entitled to up to three hours of supervision in this process). Furthermore, mentoring is given in the individual work with literature search, collection and analysis of data material, as well as writing the master's thesis. The student is entitled to a minimum of 12 supervision sessions in total.

Compulsory learning activities

The following compulsory learning activities must be approved in order for the student to submit the master's thesis:

1. Project plan. Scope up to 1500 words.

Content

Title of the master's thesis

Background with theoretical perspective

Research question/issues

Method

TImeline

Reference list.

2. Participation at a minimum of 5 hours of supervision on the master's thesis.

3. Participation in two seminars with fellow students where each student presents their own work and gives and receives opposition on master project script.

Approved compulsory learning activity is valid for 8 consecutive semesters.

Assessment

Master's thesis with adjusting oral exam. The oral exams may adjust a (passing) result up or down by a maximum of one grade, cf. Section 9-3 of the Regulations relating to Study and Examinations at HVL.

Grading scale A-F where F corresponds to fail.

The master's thesis can be a stand-alone work, or be included as a limited, but independent part of an ongoing research project. The master's thesis can be prepared individually or in groups of two students.

If the master's thesis is submitted by two students as a group work, the adjusting oral exam must be carried out individually.

Examination support material

All support material is permitted

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