On completion of the course the students will be able to:

1. demonstrate knowledge in economics and specialized knowledge and understanding in certain areas within the track of the program.
2. demonstrate specialized methodological knowledge applicable in economics.
3. demonstrate insight into current research and development work in economics.

4. demonstrate the ability to integrate knowledge and analyze, assess and deal with complex phenomena associated with economics.
5. demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues independently as well as using appropriate research methods.
6. demonstrate the ability to plan and execute a research project within a predetermined time frame:
7. demonstrate the ability to report clearly in speech and writing their conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based, to discuss results in dialogue with different audiences.

8. demonstrate the ability to make assessments, taking into account relevant scientific, societal and ethical issues and also demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects in research and development work.

The course consists of writing a master thesis. The course includes coaching seminars, but is based on independent work. To secure and maintain a research connection, it is compulsory for the student to actively participate in four seminars at the Economics department during the semester in order to pass the course. The master-students are further required to present their research proposal to the faculty members at the Economic department. At the end of the course all students must present and defend their thesis at a public seminar, act as main opponent at another student's seminar, and actively take part in three other final seminars. The purpose of this course is as follows:

• To train and develop the ability of students to independently analyze various economic problems by applying economic theory and scientific methods,
• To develop, in particular, the analytical skills of students in a way that is valuable both for a scientific career and for a career in private enterprises, public administration, or international organizations.
• To train and improve the stylistic ability of the students, the ability and skills of students to search and to evaluate information, and the ability of students to critically and constructively review the analyses of other students.

Seminar based tutoring.

The teaching is conducted in English.

Bachelor degree (i.e the equivalent of 180 credits at an accredited university) in Economics, including 45 credits at advance level with a minimum of 30 credits in Economics at the advanced level and 7,5 credits in Econometrics/Statistics at the advance level (or the equivalent).

The course is graded A, B, C, D, E, FX or F.

Examination form:

ILO 1-5, 8 examined by the written thesis and account for 80% of the total grade
ILO 6-7; participation and activity in thirteen sessions and project management (four preparatory seminars, four research seminars, final presentation and defense, opposition and three more final seminars) account for 20% of the total grade in the course.

Note: A course grade can only be given if all ILOs are passed.

Name of the Test	Value	Grading
Examination1	30 credits	A/B/C/D/E/FX/F

¹ All parts of the compulsory examination in the course must be passed with a passing grade (A-E ) before a final grade can be set. The final grade of the course is determined by the sum total of points for all parts of the examination in the course (0-100 points). Grade is set in accordance to JIBS grading policy. (A-E or Pass)

The examiner is responsible for ensuring that each course is evaluated. A survey is sent out to the thesis students at the end of May (after submitting final version). This is followed by an examiner group meeting in June, where the outcome is discussed. Finally, survey results and any subsequent improvement actions are discussed at program meetings in August and with relevant others. The next time the course runs, students should be informed about any measures taken to improve the course based on the previous course evaluation.

Students write the master thesis individually.

Academic integrity
JIBS students are expected to maintain a strong academic integrity. This implies to behave within the boundaries of academic rules and expectations relating to all types of teaching and examination.
Copying someone else’s work is a particularly serious offence and can lead to disciplinary action. When you copy someone else’s work, you are plagiarizing. You must not copy sections of work (such as paragraphs, diagrams, tables and words) from any other person, including another student or any other author. Cutting and pasting is a clear example of plagiarism. There is a workshop and online resources to assist you in not plagiarizing called the Interactive Anti-Plagiarism Guide.
Other forms of breaking academic integrity include (but are not limited to) adding your name to a project you did not work on (or allowing someone to add their name), cheating on an examination, helping other students to cheat and submitting other students work as your own, and using non-allowed electronic equipmentduring an examination. All of these make you liable to disciplinary action.

Compulsory literature
Selected individually based on the thesis topic. The selection will be based on a discussion between students and tutors in relation to the chosen thesis topic.