Master’s Thesis

2025/2026

Content, progress and pedagogy of the module

Learning objectives

Knowledge

  • Have attained thorough knowledge and understanding of a broad range of theoretical, numerical and experimental techniques within the area of specialization.
  • Thorough knowledge of relevant theory, methodology, key elements and their mutual contextual relations within the area of specialization.

Skills

  • Be able to apply scientific theory and methodology to solve a wide variety of problems within the field of specialization.
  • Be able to perform scientific work in relevant topics within the field of specialization.
  • Be able to apply a wide range of engineering methods in research and development projects in the field of specialization.
  • Be able to participate in or lead projects in design, product development, modelling and characterization within the field of specialization.
  • Build a project report according to the field's norms, use correct professional language, document extensive inclusion of relevant original literature, communicate and discuss the project's research-based basis and problem and results in a written, graphic and oral manner in a coherent way.
  • Critically evaluate the project's results in relation to relevant original literature and current scientific methods, models and evaluate and discuss the project's problem in relevant technical scientific context.
  • Perspective and assess the project's potential for further development. 

Competences

  • Identifying, formulating and analysing actual problems using independent, systematic and critical thinking.
  • Relating a problem to the scientific area in question and justify the choices made with regards to the problem definition in a relevant way. 
  • Independently making and justifying the choice of scientific theoretical and/or experimental methods.
  • The ability to independently work on a project and apply critical thinking to evaluate both the chosen theory and methodology, as well as to evaluate the analysis and results.
  • Presenting relevant academic and professional aspects of the project work in a clear and systematic way.
  • Be able to take part in technical development and research
  • Be able to direct the technical management of development projects within the industry.
  • Be competent to solve new and complicated technical problems by the use of advanced mathematics, scientific and technological knowledge and skills.
  • Perform planning, implementation and management of complex and unpredictable research and / or development tasks and assume a professional responsibility for completing independent academic tasks as well as interdisciplinary collaborations.
  • Independently take responsibility for own professional development and specialization.

Type of instruction

In this module, the Master’s Thesis is carried out. The module constitutes independent project work and concludes the programme. Within the approved topic, the Master’s Thesis must document that the level for the programme has been attained.

Extent and expected workload

Since it is a 30 ECTS project module the expected workload is 900 hours for the student.

Exam

Exams

Name of examMaster’s Thesis
Type of exam
Master's thesis/final project
ECTS30
Assessment7-point grading scale
Type of gradingExternal examination
Criteria of assessmentThe criteria of assessment are stated in the Examination Policies and Procedures

Facts about the module

Danish titleKandidatspeciale
Module codeM-MN-K4-1A
Module typeProject
Duration1 semester
SemesterSpring
ECTS30
Language of instructionEnglish
Location of the lectureCampus Aalborg
Responsible for the module

Organisation

Study BoardStudy Board of Mechanical Engineering and Physics
DepartmentDepartment of Materials and Production
FacultyThe Faculty of Engineering and Science