Supplement to the curriculum for degree theses at the
Department of Ecology and Environmental Science (EMG),
Umeå University
This document presents the expected learning outcomes (ELO in italics) and subsequent
evaluation criteria for each ESO for Pass (G) and Pass with distinction (VG) for thesis work at
different levels (higher university degree, bachelor's, master's and master's degree) and
lengths (15 and 30 credits) in biology, earth science / physical geography and environmental
and health protection at EMG. ESO for Pass is stated in each course syllabus, but also
presented in this supplement to make it clear how the evaluation is to determine and whether
a student achieved the expected learning outcomes for the degree course or not. To pass, it is
required to have achieved all the expected learning outcomes for Pass. To Pass with
distinction it is required to have achieved all the expected learning outcomes for Pass and
Pass with distinction.
Thesis for higher university degree, 15 credits
ESO and evaluation criteria for Pass
- Use their subject-specific and scientific knowledge and skills to solve problems within the
subject area
The author must use the relevant parts of the entire breadth of knowledge from previous
studies to solve the task. For example, it not authorized to ignore a particular method of
analysis if it is of importance for the study provided the analytical method has been part of
education.
- Apply a scientific approach
The study must be organized and presented in a conventional manner; What knowledge
that is available today in the study area (in some cases only legal text, or both statutory
text and study), which is the purpose of the investigation, what methods are used, what
results have emerged, how these results fit with what others come up with. Everything
must be described so that all facts of importance that is not from one's own investigation
or publicly known can be found again in the references and the methods described so that
the investigation can be duplicated.
- Plan, conduct, write and orally present and defend a scientific study in the main field
This should be done independently with supervision (supervisor statement is used for the
evaluation). The written report should follow the instructions to the author and be
understandable. The oral presentation and defense should follow the institution's
guidelines for graduate workshops and be clear and understandable.
- Critically review and comment on an equivalent work
The student should read another and point out general strengths and weaknesses. Typos
and similar pointed out in writing the manuscript.
- Apply an appropriate method / methods based on the current issue
The author should have used a method proposed by the supervisor, client, or that she / he
proposed
- Describe for the study relevant theories and results within the chosen subject
The author should have described the relevant theories and results directly relevant to the
study
- Perform a work whose size corresponds to the length of the course
The written report shall reflect that the author has put a full-time on the thesis during the
course
ESO and evaluation criteria for Pass with distinction
- Plan, perform and present a project within a specified time.
The author should have submitted a seminar version of the thesis without much real or
formal errors in the time frame in accordance with the approved project plan. Larger
formal errors are for example if the footnote system of references is used. Larger real
faults are for example if more than an occasional reference is missing, incorrect or unclear,
for example, Larsson 2000 is not the same as Larsson and Andersson 2000.
- Independently acquire new knowledge to solve the task
The author should have acquired the knowledge needed to solve the task without the
supervisor having to point that out to an extent that improves the report. (Supervisor
statement is used for the evaluation)
- Describe and analyze for the study relevant theories / methods / results in the chosen field
of study
The author should have considered the various theories / methods / past results and
drawn conclusions about their relevance
- Report in writing a scientific study of logic and communicative accuracy
The different parts of the thesis should have a high level logical and communicative
accuracy. With logical precision it is meant for example that the problem statement is
relevant and important, that this aim is well founded and that there is a high link between
research question, the chosen methodology, results and discussion. The written report
shall in the respective chapters describe the study's contents so that the study can be
repeated. The language is in all respects clear, relevant and well adapted to the target
group.
- Constructively discuss their own work
The writer should have a constructive dialogue with the opponent that aims to make the
thesis better. If the opponent does not come with suggestions for improvement the
examiner should do this for the student to be able to achieve this ESO
- Constructive opposition on the other work
The opponent must make suggestions for improvements and discuss these with the author
Thesis for Bachelor's degree, 15 credits
ESO and evaluation criteria for Pass
- Use their subject-specific and scientific knowledge and skills to solve problems within the
subject area
The author must use the relevant parts of the entire breadth of knowledge from previous
studies to solve the task. For example, it not authorized to ignore a particular method of
analysis if it is of importance for the study provided the analytical method has been part of
education.
- Apply a scientific approach
The study must be organized and presented in a conventional manner; What knowledge
that is available today in the study area (in some cases only legal text, or both statutory
text and study), which is the purpose of the investigation, what methods are used, what
results have emerged, how these results fit with what others come up with. Everything
must be described so that all facts of importance that is not from one's own investigation
or publicly known can be found again in the references and the methods described so that
the investigation can be duplicated.
- Plan, conduct, write and orally present and defend a scientific study in the main field
This should be done independently with supervision (supervisor statement is used for the
evaluation). The written report should follow the instructions to the author and be
understandable. The oral presentation and defense should follow the institution's
guidelines for graduate workshops and be clear and understandable.
- Critically review and comment on an equivalent work
The student should read another and point out general strengths and weaknesses. Typos
and similar pointed out in writing the manuscript.
- Apply an appropriate method / methods based on the current issue
The author should have used a method proposed by the supervisor, client, or that she / he
proposed
- Describe and analyze the survey relevant theories / methods / results in thee chosen field of
study
The author should have described and analyzed the relevant theories and results directly
applicable to the study
- Perform a work whose size corresponds to the length of the course
The written report shall reflect that the author has put a full-time on the thesis during the
course
ESO and evaluation criteria for Pass with distinction
- Plan, perform and present a project within a specified time.
The author should have submitted a seminar version of the thesis without much real or
formal errors in the time frame in accordance with the approved project plan. Larger
formal errors are for example if the footnote system of references is used. Larger real
faults are fore example if more than an occasional reference is missing, incorrect or
unclear, for example, Larsson 2000 is not the same as Larsson and Andersson 2000.
- Independently acquire new knowledge to solve the task
The author should have acquired the knowledge needed to solve the task without the
supervisor having to point that out to an extent that improves the report. (Supervisor
statement is used for the evaluation)
- Describe and analyze the central theories and results within the chosen subject
The author must describe and analyze the relevant theories and results in a wider area
than that those directly applicable to the study
- Report in writing a scientific study of logic and communicative accuracy
The different parts of the thesis should have a high level logical and communicative
accuracy. With logical precision it is meant for example that the problem statement is
relevant and important, that this aim is well founded and that there is a high link between
research question, the chosen methodology, results and discussion. The written report
shall in the respective chapters describe the study's contents so that the study can be
repeated. The language is in all respects clear, relevant and well adapted to the target
group.
- Constructively discuss their own work
The writer should have a constructive dialogue with the opponent that aims to make the
thesis better. If the opponent does not come with suggestions for improvement the
examiner should do this for the student to be able to achieve this ESO
- Constructive opposition on the other work
The opponent must make suggestions for improvements and discuss these with the author
Thesis for Master's / master's degree, 15 credits
ESO and evaluation criteria for Pass
- Use their subject-specific and scientific knowledge and skills to solve problems within the
subject area
The author must use the relevant parts of the entire breadth of knowledge from previous
studies to solve the task. For example, it not authorized to ignore a particular method of
analysis if it is of importance for the study provided the analytical method has been part of
education.
- Apply a scientific approach
The study must be organized and presented in a conventional manner; What knowledge
that is available today in the study area (in some cases only legal text, or both statutory
text and study), which is the purpose of the investigation, what methods are used, what
results have emerged, how these results fit with what others come up with. Everything
must be described so that all facts of importance that is not from one's own investigation
or publicly known can be found again in the references and the methods described so that
the investigation can be duplicated.
- Plan, conduct, write and orally present and defend a scientific study in the main field
This should be done independently with supervision (supervisor statement is used for the
evaluation). The written report should follow the instructions to the author and be
understandable. The oral presentation and defense should follow the institution's
guidelines for graduate workshops and be clear and understandable.
- Critically review and comment on an equivalent work
The student should read another and point out general strengths and weaknesses. Typos
and similar pointed out in writing the manuscript.
- In consultation with the supervisor choose an appropriate method / methods based on the
current issue
The author must have their own ideas about the choice of method and discuss these with
the supervisor
- Describe and analyze the central theories and results within the chosen subject
The author must describe and analyze the relevant theories and results in a wider area
than that those directly applicable to the study
- Perform a work whose size corresponds to the length of the course
The written report shall reflect that the author has put a full-time on the thesis during the
course
ESO and evaluation criteria for Pass with distinction
- Plan, perform and present a project within a specified time.
The author should have submitted a seminar version of the thesis without much real or
formal errors in the time frame in accordance with the approved project plan. Larger
formal errors are for example if the footnote system of references used. Larger real faults
are fore example if more than an occasional reference is missing, incorrect or unclear, for
example, Larsson 2000 is not the same as Larsson and Andersson 2000.
- Independently acquire new knowledge to solve the task
The author should have acquired the knowledge needed to solve the task without the
supervisor having to point that out to an extent that improves the report. (Supervisor
statement is used for the evaluation)
- Independently choose an appropriate method / methods based on the current issue
The author will independently choose an appropriate method. The student should of
course discuss the method with the supervisor, but the student must analyze the possible
methods and choose method.
- Report in writing a scientific study of logic and communicative accuracy
The different parts of the thesis should have a high level logical and communicative
accuracy. With logical precision it is meant for example that the problem statement is
relevant and important, that this aim is well founded and that there is a high link between
research question, the chosen methodology, results and discussion. The written report
shall in the respective chapters describe the study's contents so that the study can be
repeated. The language is in all respects clear, relevant and well adapted to the target
group.
- Constructively discuss their own work
The writer should have a constructive dialogue with the opponent that aims to make the
thesis better. If the opponent does not come with suggestions for improvement the
examiner should do this for the student to be able to achieve this ESO
- Constructive opposition on the other work
The opponent must make suggestions for improvements and discuss these with the author
Thesis for master degree, 30 credits
ESO and evaluation criteria for Pass
- Use their subject-specific and scientific knowledge and skills to solve problems within the
subject area
The author must use the relevant parts of the entire breadth of knowledge from previous
studies to solve the task. For example, it not authorized to ignore a particular method of
analysis if it is of importance for the study provided the analytical method has been part of
education.
- Apply a scientific approach
The study must be organized and presented in a conventional manner; What knowledge
that is available today in the study area (in some cases only legal text, or both statutory
text and study), which is the purpose of the investigation, what methods are used, what
results have emerged, how these results fit with what others come up with. Everything
must be described so that all facts of importance that is not from one's own investigation
or publicly known can be found again in the references and the methods described so that
the investigation can be duplicated.
- Plan, conduct, write and orally present and defend a scientific study in the main field
This should be done independently with supervision (supervisor statement is used for the
evaluation). The written report should follow the instructions to the author and be
understandable. The oral presentation and defense should follow the institution's
guidelines for graduate workshops and be clear and understandable.
- Critically review and comment on an equivalent work
The student should read another and point out general strengths and weaknesses. Typos
and similar pointed out in writing the manuscript.
- Independently choose an appropriate method / methods based on the current issue
The author will independently choose an appropriate method. The student should of
course discuss the method with the supervisor, but the student must analyze the possible
methods and choose method.
- Describe and analyze the central theories and results within the chosen subject
The author will describe and analyze the central theories and results in a much wider area
than that directly applicable to the study
- Perform a work whose size corresponds to the length of the course
The written report shall reflect that the author has put a full-time on the thesis during the
course
ESO and evaluation criteria for Pass with distinction
- Plan, perform and present a project within a specified time.
The author should have submitted a seminar version of the thesis without much real or
formal errors in the time frame in accordance with the approved project plan. Larger
formal errors are for example if the footnote system of references used. Larger real faults
are fore example if more than an occasional reference is missing, incorrect or unclear, for
example, Larsson 2000 is not the same as Larsson and Andersson 2000.
- Independently acquire new knowledge to solve the task
The author should have acquired the knowledge needed to solve the task without the
supervisor having to point that out to an extent that improves the report. (Supervisor
statement is used for the evaluation)
- Describe and analyze the key theories and results, and evaluate for the study relevant
theories in the chosen subject
The author must describe, analyze and evaluate key findings and theories in a wider area
than directly applicable to the study.
- Report in writing a scientific study of logic and communicative accuracy
The different parts of the thesis should have a high level logical and communicative
accuracy. With logical precision it is meant for example that the problem statement is
relevant and important, that this aim is well founded and that there is a high link between
research question, the chosen methodology, results and discussion. The written report
shall in the respective chapters describe the study's contents so that the study can be
repeated. The language is in all respects clear, relevant and well adapted to the target
group.
- Constructively discuss their own work
The writer should have a constructive dialogue with the opponent that aims to make the
thesis better. If the opponent does not come with suggestions for improvement the
examiner should do this for the student to be able to achieve this ESO
- Constructive opposition on the other work
The opponent must make suggestions for improvements and discuss these with the author