Degree Thesis

Introduction

The aim of polytechnic studies is to educate people in the skills of a specific professional area and develop an ability to conceptually analyse issues in the branch. The degree thesis shall show that the student has attained a certain knowledge and proficiency and developed a capacity for independent analytical thought

This requires that the writer is able to solve independently the problem or problems addressed in the thesis on the basis of knowledge and skills acquired during the studies.

The degree thesis is thus an independently conducted, professionally focused final work. The qualitative standard shall correspond to that required for a Bachelor's degree. The thesis shall exhibit balanced judgement, expertise, and the capacity to reach an understanding of the subject under review.

The aim of the degree thesis is thus on the one hand to gain a deeper knowledge which does not take a purely practical form but is at the same time more instrumental than purely academic knowledge, and on the other hand to foster self confidence. This involves a reasoned justification of choices made in carrying out the work.

Choice and approval of topic

The problem or research task addressed in the degree thesis shall arise from the needs of working life.

The scope of the thesis

The scope of the thesis corresponds to 15 ECTS credits of independent work. It can constitute a part of a larger research work or project so that cooperation both within and between institutions can be deepened and developed. In such a case the individual student's independent contribution should always be documented, irrespective of whether one or more students work on part of an integrated problem or issue.

The documentation should at least include the following elements:

The relevance of the problem

Relationship to existing knowledge

• Issue or hypothesis
• Method
• Results
• Discussion
• Choice of supervisor

Every degree thesis shall have a supervisor who is employed at Arcada. The supervisor is designated in the first instance from among teachers in the student's own degree programme. At the same time an assessor of the thesis is designated.

For a degree thesis done on commission for an external party there can be an expert instructor representing the commissioning party.

Evaluation of the degree thesis

The evaluation of the degree thesis is done by the assessor together with the supervisor. The assessor should write a statement evaluating the degree thesis as a whole. The statement should also be signed by the supervisor. The supervisor has the right to request that a degree thesis is language cheched. The use of language can also influence the evaluation.

Maturity examination

After submitting the thesis, the student should participate in a written maturity examination. The content is evaluated by the supervisor and the use of language by a competent language teacher.

Presentation

After the completed maturity examination has been approved, the student shall present the degree thesis in a suitable public forum. Thesis Forum presentation opportunities and schedules can be found here. The maturity examination and the presentation can also influence the awarded grade.

Abstract

There shall be an abstract of the degree thesis in the same language as that in which the thesis is written as well as one in the langiage of the degree programme, always provided however that there is an abstract in English.

Grade

The degree thesis is assessed with the grade satisfactory, good or excellent. The grade is justified in the statement on the degree thesis. The grade is determined on the basis of the thesis itself, the maturity examination, and the presentation.

Confidentiality

The degree thesis is an official and public document.

Ethical rules

The student should observe good practice and the ethical rules pertaining to academic work at a college of higher education. The rules are found in the document Good Scientific Practice in Studies at Arcada.

All students whose planned degree thesis includes an empirical study, where persons are informants or objects of research, or classified data about persons, have to submit a short plan for the the thesis to the Ethical Committee before the empirical study is implemented (link to the plan template in the right hand upper corner = Short plan for thesis).

Thesis Writing Guide

A thesis writing guide (Guide för skribenter) on Arcada's home page provides practical advice on the use of language and the presentation of written work. The guide is pertinent to all written work at Arcada.

Urkund

Urkund offers an automated system designed to deal with the problem of plagiarism. With a small effort from the user, plagiarism can be prevented from three man source areas: The Internet, Published Material and Student Material.
Information for students about Urkund
Log in for teachers to Urkund

Theseus

Theseus is an electronic library that offers the possibility to access theses and publications of the Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences. Theseus is a service offered by Arene ry, the Rectors' Conference of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences.