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Kursusnavn (dansk):Projektklynge: Specialeforberedende 
Kursusnavn (engelsk):Project Cluster: Master Thesis Preparation 
Semester:Forår 2006 
Udbydes under:cand.it., design, kommunikation og medier (dkm) 
Omfang i ECTS:0,00 
Kursussprog:Engelsk 
Kursushjemmeside:http://www.itu.dk/people/cynthia/thesis/ 
Min. antal deltagere:12 
Forventet antal deltagere:
Maks. antal deltagere:40 
Formelle forudsætninger: 60 ECTS passed by the start of the project cluster. 
Læringsmål:The goal of the project cluster and the accompanying 12/16 week project is:
Through training in process-based writing practices and collaborative peer review, the participants are able to conceive, write and present orally a good thesis proposal that provides a clear overview of the subsequent Master thesis project, including the background and context of the project, a succint problem statement, and selection of appropriate theories, methods, and literature. In addition, the participants have acquired a set of competences from Academic Writing that will support the subsequent work with the Master thesis.
 
Fagligt indhold: The project cluster focusses on creating a thesis proposal that will enable the participants to work focussed with the subsequent thesis from day one as well as later on. The project cluster draws on the discipline Academic Writing. This doscipline is concerned with enhancing the quality of academic theses and papers through the writing process, where writing is seen as an important thinking tool - for example using writing to frame the problem, to focus the research question, and to present a clear line of arguments. Academic Writing also addresses how to best present the results of academic work in writing, both in terms of structure, format, and presentation, for example how to organize the arguments in order to support the answer to the research question and how to use rhetorics to create a compelling paper. Do note that Academic Writing is not concerned with writing in a particular high-brow or ?academic? language style such as heavily theory-laden or avoiding plain language.

The project cluster covers
- genre and quality Master theses
- arriving at a problem statement
- process writing
- how to make revisions
- structure of Master theses
- the structure of arguments
- the role of theories and methods

The participants are encouraged to work in groups in order to enhance the learning.

The project cluster will include a number of activities: lectures, writing exercises, analyses of Master theses and academic papers, discussions, group work, and oral presentations.

The project cluster focusses on the thesis proposal. Hence, the basic rhytm of the project cluster is expected to be
1. first draft of thesis proposal
2. first oral presentation of thesis proposal (about 15 mins)
3. second draft of thesis proposal
4. second oral presentation of thesis proposal (about 30 mins)
5. final thesis proposal

The project cluster encompasses two types of content: Academic Writing and the specialized topic of the planned thesis. The Academic Writing will be addressed by Cynthia Haynes and Anker Helms Jørgensen. As to specialized thesis topic, Cynthia Haynes and Anker Helms Jørgensen will supervise and evaluate participants within our area of expertise (largely DKM and neighbouring areas), while an experienced teacher from other study lines will supervise participants in other areas (such as network protocols, image processing, and proofs of algorithms). This will primarily take place in the first part of the project cluster and in particular address selection of topic and problem, phrasing of problem statement, and selection of theories, methods, and literature.

The literature will be in English and Danish. The oral language will be English in the joint activities, supplemented by Danish. Two subgroups might be established in connection with supervision of the groups: one in English led by Cynthia Hayes and one in Danish lead by Anker Helms Jørgensen.
 
Læringsaktiviteter:

Please notice! You sign up for this project cluster as if it was a normal course. You must register for the project cluster in mit-itu (course database) as well as create a 12 week project (7.5ECTS) or a 16 week project (15 ECTS) in mit-itu (project base). Please remark:

  • Enrolment in a project cluster is not considered a binding course registration (only relevant to MSc students).
  • You can register for a project cluster as a fourth activity (on top of three courses).
  • You/your group have/has to register your project in the Project Base before the deadline for 12 week, 16 week, 4 week projects or theses/final projects. Please find the deadlines here: http://www1.itu.dk/sw923.asp.
  • The project cluster will not appear on your diploma. But the project that you register in the Project Base will of course appear when you have passed the exam.
  • Single-subject students at Open University and guest students from other universities interested in the project cluster, please contact the Student Administration Office, phone +45 72 18 52 05.


Project cluster format:
Lectures will be given in English if desired by one or more participants. All written material (slides, books, articles etc.) will be in English. Supervision of any given project wil be in either English or Danish according to the students' choice.



The project cluster will include a number of activities: lectures, writing exercises, analyses of Master theses and academic papers, discussions, group work, and oral presentations.

The project cluster focusses on the thesis proposal. Hence, the basic rhytm of the project cluster is expected to be

  1. first draft of thesis proposal

  2. first oral presentation of thesis proposal (about 15 mins)

  3. second draft of thesis proposal

  4. second oral presentation of thesis proposal (about 30 mins)

  5. final thesis proposal



We will hold the first meeting on Tuesday, Jan 31st, from 13:00-17:00pm. The meetings will be regularly on Tuesdays from 13:00-17:00pm, at least for the first month, and once we determine the rest, the info will be on the main project website. 

Eksamensform og -beskrivelse:X. experimental examination form (7-scale; external exam), 13-skala, Ekstern censur

 

Litteratur udover forskningsartikler: Reading materials will be provided by the lecturers.

 
 
Afholdelse (tid og sted)
Kurset afholdes på følgende tid og sted:
UgedagTidspunktForelæsning/ØvelserStedLokale
Tirsdag 13.00-15.30 Forelæsning ITU 2A20
Tirsdag 15.00-17.00 Øvelser ITU 2A20