Course syllabus Master’s thesis, Systems Science for Defence and Security

45 credits from the Master´s programme in Innovation, Defence and Security, including Theory, Systems Science for Security and Defense15 credits, and Methods in Systems Science for Defence and Security 15 credits, or equivalent.

The course aims to provide the student with the opportunity to deepen their knowledge within a specific area of the subject of Systems Science for Defence and Security, selected by the student. When selecting a research problem, the student is expected to take into account that Systems Science for Defence and Security is a subject at the intersection of the social sciences and engineering. The objects of study are systems consisting of interacting technical and social components, known as sociotechnical systems, that contribute to or affect the defence and security of society. The underlying premise is that technical and social components cannot be studied in isolation from one another.

The course also aims to offer the student the opportunity to develop their ability to generate new knowledge through a systematic scientific process. In doing so, the student is expected to develop and deepen their scholarly approach.

During the course, the student independently conducts a scientific study of limited scope and presents the results in the form of a thesis. The topic of the study is selected in consultation with the supervisor.

The research question is expected to be identified critically, independently and creatively. The research question for the thesis shall be formulated on the basis of previous research and/or a practical problem relevant to the subject of Systems Science for Defence and Security. The student is expected to independently plan their work, identify an appropriate method or methods for addressing their research question, and complete the work within the specified timeframe. The work shall demonstrate the ability to draw relevant and well-founded conclusions in relation to the selected material and analysis. The ability to discuss and assess how the research contributes to the development of knowledge and practice shall also be demonstrated. The purpose of the thesis is to contribute to the development of knowledge within the field of Systems Science for Defence and Security.

The student works independently under supervision, and is guided by the supervisor in all parts of the work. At the final seminar, the course participant is required to defend their thesis and critically review a fellow student’s thesis.

Type of instruction 

• Lectures
• Supervision
• Seminars
• Independent study

Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• demonstrate substantially greater depth of knowledge and understanding in the field of the thesis, and greater insight into current research and development work within the research area of the thesis
• exhibit in-depth methodological knowledge in the field of Systems Science for Defence and Security

Competence and skills 

• critically, independently and creatively identify and formulate questions within the field of Systems Science for Defence and Security, and to plan and use appropriate methods to answer the question, within predetermined timeframes, thus contributing to knowledge development, and to evaluate the work done
• integrate knowledge critically and systematically
• analyse, assess and deal with complex questions, even with limited information
• orally and in writing to report and discuss clearly his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based

Judgement and approach

• make assessments within the field of Systems Science for Defence and Security, informed by relevant scientific, social and ethical aspects, and demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work
• exhibit insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used
• demonstrate the ability to identify his or her own need for further knowledge and to take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning
• identify and discuss the various perspectives of stakeholders on the development of defence and security capabilities, adopting a critical approach.

The course is assessed through an individual thesis and active participation in mandatory seminars, including the defence of the student’s own thesis and the critical review of another student’s thesis.

The examiner may decide to request supplementary assignments for the student to be able to achieve a passing grade on the course. A supplementary assignment (kompletteringsuppgift) shall be submitted no later than fifteen working days after the result and the supplementary assignment for the examination in question have been notified. Examination papers submitted late will not be graded unless special circumstances exist that are acceptable to the examiner.

Grading

The student is graded on a three-point grading scale: Fail (U), Pass (G) and Pass with Distinction (VG).

To obtain the grade Pass (G) for the course, the student must achieve the grade Pass (G) for the thesis and the grade Pass (G) for the defence and active participation in mandatory seminars. To obtain the grade Pass with Distinction (VG) for the course, the student must, in addition to the requirements for a Pass (G), achieve the grade Pass with Distinction (VG) for the thesis.

Grading criteria are reported at the latest at the start of the course.

Restrictions in number of examinations

There is no limit on the total number of examination opportunities.

When the course is no longer offered or when the course content has changed substantially, the student has the right to be examined once per semester during a three-term period in accordance with this syllabus.