3. Getting specialized knowledge

Getting specialized knowledge in certain areas of the field: the track and the degree project, reflection seminar in February 2017

A master of computer science should have specialized knowledge in certain areas of the field. In the Computer Science program your are expected to get this through the track and the degree project. In this seminar you will learn more about what is required and reflect on your own specialization.

From now on there will be new groups, where the division is based on the choice of track.  Look up your new group number in Rapp (under Group number, spring). The new numbers are between 101 and 124. You can find out who is the mentor of your group on the Mentors and groups page in the menu to the left.

Preparations for the reflection

• Read the following requirements and three qualitative targets (examensmål), common for all two-years master's programs in Sweden:
  A Degree of Master (120 credits) is awarded after the student has completed the courses required to gain 120 credits with a defined specialisation determined by each higher education institution itself, of which at least 60 credits are for specialised study in the principal field (main field of study) of the study programme.
  For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall
  • demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work
  • demonstrate specialised methodological knowledge in the main field of study
  • demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development work or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity.
• Read the course descriptions of the courses that are included in the track that you have chosen. If you haven't chosen any track yet you should choose a reasonable track for this seminar. If you study the individual track, look at the courses that are included in your track. You find the courses in the course and program directory (kurs- och programkatalogen). Look here if you started the Master's program in 2016 and here if you started in 2015. Then look for the courses under Årskurs 1/Study year 1 and Årskurs 2/Study year 2 in the menu to the left.
• Read about the degree project (exjobb). The information exists in parallel in Swedish and English. Read at least the general description and What is a degree project (Vad är ett examensarbete). If you have already started your degree project you should read Requirements for scientificness (Krav på vetenskaplighet) and Pilot study (Förstudie) as well.

The written reflection

Write a reflection document where you address the following points based on your preparations and your experience and expectations. The document should be 500-800 words.

• What did you base your choice of specialization on?
• Which courses have you taken/do you plan to take in your track? Refer to this when answering the following questions.
• How do you interpret "specialized methodological knowledge" in your area of specialization?
• Is scientific methodology relevant if you are not planning for a career as a researcher?
• How narrow do you think your specialization needs to be in order to give you sufficient depth?
• The degree project is regarded as part of your specialization. Should this fact influence what project you choose?

Hand in the reflection, read the group members' reflections and comment on them

Your written reflection must be handed in before 13.00 on February 9, 2017.

Maybe you should once again look at the short video showing how to upload the document to Google Drive. You should begin the document by stating your name followed by prosamm16 or prosamm15 (depending on whether you study the first or second year of the master's program). The link to the document should be put in a file with your name in the directory

The link to the document should be put in a file with your name in the directory
/info/prosamm16/seminars-1617/period-3/group-X
where X is your new group's number (check in Rapp!).

You have to comment on at least six other group members' reflection documents using the Google Drive comment functionality (Comment in the Insert menu) before February 13, at 13.00. You may choose which six group members you like, as long as there are at least two from year 1 (prosamm16) and two from year 2 (prosamm15) among them. You also have to comment on a comment in your own document (if there is any). The comments should have some sort of reflective content, not just saying "I agree" or asking a simple question.

Participate actively in the seminar

Find your group number in the table below and lookup when and where your seminar is. The seminar is about 50 minutes, and it is important to be on time. Notice the starting times! Instructions on how to find the rooms can be found in the menu to the left.

What if you cannot participate in the seminar?

Instructions on how to do if you study abroad or for some other reason cannot participate in the seminar can be found on the general seminars webpage.