AL250X Degree Project in Strategies for Sustainable Development, Second Cycle 30.0 credits
Strategies for sustainable development is about analysing long-term solutions and developing knowledge concerning strategic sustainability problems. The subject is at the point of intersection between environmental issues, societal change and technological development. Strategically important sustainability issues are at the same time serious and require long-term solutions, may it be in a global or national context, for an industrial branch, enterprise, or public authority.
The width of the research area is illustrated by its many methodological approaches: Sustainability and Environmental Assessments, Environmental Economics, Environmental Sociology, Sustainable Urban and Rural Development, Futures Studies for Sustainability and Policy Analysis. In some cases more than one of these approaches are used in one and the same thesis project, but even so the emphasis is typically on one of these.
More practical information about the course can be found here:
Degree Project at Sustainable Development, Environmental Science and Engineering (SEED)
Choose semester and course offering
Choose semester and course offering to see current information and more about the course, such as course syllabus, study period, and application information.
Application
For course offering
Autumn 2024 Start 26 Aug 2024 programme students
Application code
52141
Content and learning outcomes
Course disposition
The course is designed as a limited research project.
The course design can include literature studies, problem formulation, collection and compilation of data and analysis.
The degree project should be presented at a seminar. The degree project should be written and presented in Swedish or English. A summary should be included in both languages. The Master thesis will be checked for plagiarism.
Course contents
The degree project should constitute a part of the specialisation within the main field of study Civil Engineering and Urban Management (samhällsbyggnad) at second cycle level to satisfy the requirements for a degree. This implies that the degree project normally should be carried out in strategies for sustainable development.
Intended learning outcomes
The overall aim of the degree project is to provide knowledge of connections between environmental problems, social change and technical development. The degree project should also give an understanding of how prevailing or changed human activity and behavior can influence the environment.
The following applies to both Master of Science in Engineering (civilingenjör) and master's degree students:
After completed degree project, the student should be able to
1. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the scientific foundation and best practices for the chosen subject, as well as an advanced understanding in current research and development within the area, and in-depth knowledge of research methodology.
2. demonstrate the ability to search, collect, compile, and integrate knowledge and to identify if there is a need for additional knowledge, all with a holistic, critical and systematic work approach.
3. demonstrate the ability to identify, analyse, assess and handle complex phenomena, issues and situations also with limited information
4. demonstrate the ability to plan and with adequate methods carry out qualified assignments within given time frames and to evaluate this work
5. demonstrate the ability to develop and evaluate products, processes, systems, methods or technical solutions with respect to humans´ circumstances and needs as well as society´s goals in term of economically, socially and ecologically sustainable development.
6. demonstrate the ability, both orally and in writing, in dialogue with different groups, to clearly account for and discuss the conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which these are based
7. demonstrate the ability to make assessments considering relevant scientific, social and ethical aspects
8. show such skills that are required to participate in research and development or to work independently in other qualified activities
Literature and preparations
Specific prerequisites
All courses that are required for issuing the Degree of Bachelor should be fully completed with a pass mark. At least 60 credits of courses for second-cycle studies should be fully completed with a pass mark. These 60 credits should include all courses in the programme relevant to the degree project and a course in theory of science and research methodology.
The examiner is responsible to evaluate special admission requirements
Recommended prerequisites
Equipment
Literature
Relevant literature to be able to carry out the degree project.
Examination and completion
If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.
Grading scale
Examination
- XUPP - Examination, 30.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.
The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.
The degree project should normally be carried out under the programme´s last semester. To pass the degree project the achievement must not be below the requirements for any of the expected learning outcomes of the course.
Other requirements for final grade
Passed degree project report that has been presented at a seminar.
Opportunity to complete the requirements via supplementary examination
Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination
Examiner
Ethical approach
- All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
- In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
- In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.