At least 240 credits in the programme Master's Degree in Engineering in Computer Science and Engineering, including the following courses:

• CD153A Sustainable Development and Ethics in Computer Science and Engineering (7.5 credits)
• CD163A Independent Project for Master's Degree in Computer Science and Engineering (15 credits)
• 4.0 credits from the course CD634E Research Methodology for Computer Science and Engineering (7.5 credits)

The course is part of the degree requirements for a Master of Science in Engineering in Computer Science and Engineering.

The aim of the Master's thesis project is for the student to develop in-depth knowledge in a chosen field of technology, understanding and ability, as well as an approach required to work independently and contribute to knowledge development. During the Master's thesis work, the student is trained in independent technical and scientific research and development work, and thus develops the prerequisites for working in an international research or development environment.

The course consists of three parts: problem definition and project planning; the thesis project; and the opposition on another degree project

The thesis project has two phases:

• To perform the project and document it in writing (in the form of the degree project), and
• To present and defend the thesis verbally

The opposition consist of carefully studying and critically analysing another student's degree project, producing a written opposition and acting as an opponent in the presentation of another student's degree project.

Analysing societal aspects such as sustainability and gender equality are important components of both your thesis work and your student reviewer work.

Knowledge and understanding

Upon completion of the course, the student shall be able to:

1. demonstrate, both orally and in writing, significantly advanced knowledge in at least one area of computer science and engineering, and

2. demonstrate, both orally and in writing, in-depth understanding of the research and development process and its planning.

Competence and skills

Upon completion of the course, the student shall be able to:

3. independently identify, formulate, develop and critically evaluate solutions to complex computer engineering problems,

4. independently plan and conduct research and development projects within given time frames,

5. describe a research and development project's contribution to a field of knowledge,

6. actively search for, analyse and systematically integrate relevant information about a given research problem,

7. choose a research method for a given scientific problem and argue for its appropriateness,

8. apply research methods to a scientific problem in computer science and engineering,

9. develop and design a solution to a complex computer engineering problem, taking societal aspects and people's conditions and needs into account,

10. present and discuss the results of a research and development project in a scientific manner in an international environment, both orally and in writing, and

11. communicate the results of research and development projects to different target groups.

Judgement and approach

Upon completion of the course, the student shall be able to:

12. evaluate and analyse research questions relevant to computer engineering, taking relevant scientific, societal and ethical aspects into account, and relate them to international research and developments in the field,

13. critically analyse scientific reports and identify their main strengths and weaknesses, taking into account both technical and societal aspects, including ethics, sustainability and gender equality, and

14. identify the need for further knowledge in relation to a complex computer engineering problem.

Self-study, seminars and supervision.

The student is assigned an academic supervisor, and may also have an external contact person, e.g. a prospective user of the project results in a company. The supervisor (and, where relevant, the external contact person) supports and guides the student through the project, but the student should be proactive in requesting support. The student is expected to report to the supervisor on an ongoing basis during the project work.

The following are required to pass the course

• Passing grade on project plan (3 credits, Pass/Fail) (Intended learning outcomes 2–7, 12)
• Passing grade on thesis and oral presentation (25 credits, UA) (Intended learning outcomes 1–14)
• Passing grade on student reviewer work (2 credits, Pass/Fail) (Intended learning outcome 13)

For all assessments, the materials must be presented in a manner that makes it possible to discern individual performance.

The final grade corresponds to the grade of the thesis and oral presentation.

• Dawson, C. (2015). Projects in computing and information systems. A student’s guide (3rd edition), Pearson

In addition, the students are expected to search for appropriate course literature relevant to the specific project on their own with the support of the supervisor.

Malmö University provides students who participate in, or who have completed a course, with the opportunity to express their opinions and describe their experiences of the course by completing a course evaluation administered by the University. The University will compile and summarise the results of course evaluations. The University will also inform participants of the results and any decisions relating to measures taken in response to the course evaluations. The results will be made available to the students (HF 1:14).

If a course is no longer offered, or has undergone significant changes, the students must be offered two opportunities for re-examination based on the syllabus that applied at the time of registration, for a period of one year after the changes have been implemented. The syllabus is a translation of a Swedish source text.

If a student has a Learning support decision, the examiner has the right to provide the student with an adapted test, or to allow the student to take the exam in a different format. The syllabus is a translation of a Swedish source text.