KEMS9550 Master's Thesis (30 cr)

The Master’s thesis comprises both a literature review and experimental or computational component. The thesis topics are drawn from research within the department or external sources, including those from the industry. The goal of the literature review is to showcase student’s scientific proficiency in the research topic, demonstrating their ability to conduct literature searches, analyze research material, and produce an independent scientific report following the department’s writing guidelines.

In the experimental laboratory work, students are expected to engage in independent work in the laboratory, applying appropriate measurement techniques. In the computational work, students must perform essential simulations relevant to the research questions using suitable computational software.

The subject teacher will study the research topic related to chemistry learning. Research methods utilize teaching methods that are suitable for research questions.

The written part of Master's thesis takes about two months and the experimental part about three months. The master's thesis can be written in either Finnish or English (note: the program-specific rules).

After completing the Master's thesis, the student masters the subject area of the thesis and is able to plan, implement and report on his or her research in accordance with the scientific practice in the field. The student; is able to formulate a research problem and define a research topic, is able to obtain relevant information from publications in the field, is able to reasonably frame the material and evaluate it critically. The student; masters the different stages of research, is able to choose the right research methods and apply them reasonably to his / her research topic. The student masters chemical research methods in the field, is able to independently use experimental measuring instruments in the field of study and is able to analyze the research results and relate them to existing knowledge. 

In addition, the development of pedagogical subject management is one of the learning objectives of the subject teacher. The student is able to research and find out how to learn and understand chemistry in teaching work.

Pro gradu -tutkielmaan liittyviä ohjeita nettisivuilla: Opinnäytteet | Jyväskylän yliopisto (jyu.fi)

Advanced level studies should be almost completed before starting the Master's Thesis.