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FCA3002 Literature course for doctoral students 6.0 credits

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Application

For course offering

Spring 2024 Start 16 Jan 2024 programme students

Application code

60861

Headings with content from the Course syllabus FCA3002 (Spring 2019–) are denoted with an asterisk ( )

Content and learning outcomes

Course contents

The course corresponds to four weeks of full-time study corresponding to 160 full-time study hours, and should be completed within one semester from the start of the course. The course consists of an individually designed and completed literature study within the relevant topic, where the literature is chosen according to agreement between the research student and the responsible teacher, normally the main supervisor or other suitable person with teacher competence.

The doctoral student conducts independent studies of designated literature in the form of scientific articles, books, book chapters or other material. Selected research literature shall constitute a considerable deepening and/or broadening of knowledge that is relevant to the postgraduate student's own third-cycle studies, but may not be included in the doctoral student's thesis. It is the main supervisor's responsibility to ensure that the literature included in the literature course is not included in the doctoral or licentiate thesis.

Compulsory project plan
A compulsory project plan for the literature study is submitted to the examiner for approval. The project plan must contain:

  • name of doctoral student and course responsible teacher
  • preliminary schedule for the studies with estimated start and end dates for the course
  • time estimate that justifies the extent of 160 full-time study hours
  • selected literature to be presented and motivated with regard to content, and how the chosen research literature is related to the research student's own research area and thesis work
  • concretisation of the course's learning outcomes based on the chosen research literature
  • criterion-referenced grading criteria for the grade pass according to the learning outcomes specified in the syllabus

Information on learning outcomes and criterion-referenced grading criteria can be found in KTH's regulations.

Compulsory elements
The literature assignment includes, in addition to self-study, at least four scheduled meetings with the responsible teacher, where the knowledge acquired so far is presented and discussed. The responsible teacher shall, at the meeting, document the results achieved. The results should be documented in a template specifically designed for the purpose. Conducted discussions and documented results form part of the basis for examination and must be described so that it is possible to ensure that the doctoral student has benefited from the literature in accordance with the course objectives.

A final report written by the doctoral student must be submitted before the oral presentation. The report should contain an overall description, reflection and discussion of the reviewed literature, which also takes into account how the new knowledge benefits the doctoral student's continued education.

The doctoral student must give an oral presentation in the form of a seminar at a time that is decided jointly by the doctoral student, responsible teacher and examiner. The seminar should be open to other doctoral students and researchers at the department.

Course analysis
In accordance with KTH's regulations, the course responsible person must, after completing the course, submit a course analysis to the program director responsible for the doctoral program to which the doctoral student belongs. The course analysis shall contain:

  • approved project plan
  • documentation from the scheduled meetings
  • the report written by the doctoral student
  • a joint statment from the doctoral student and supervisor with reflections and comments regarding the benefit of the course for the doctoral student's continued studies, and how the course contributed to progression towards the fulfillment of the examination goals.

After completing the course, the doctoral student should also send his/her own evaluation of the course directly to the program director according to a template specifically designed for the purpose.

Intended learning outcomes

  1. show considerable broadened and/or deepened knowledge and insight into the chosen research area's scientific basis and proven experience based on the selected literature
  2. demonstrate the ability to in oral and written dialogue with teachers, researchers and other doctoral students to clearly explain and discuss acquired new knowledge, and to argue for and reflect on this
  3. demonstrate the ability to identify and discuss relevant scientific, social, ethical and sustainable aspects of the selected literature

Literature and preparations

Specific prerequisites

Eligible for studies at the third-cycle level.

Recommended prerequisites

No information inserted

Equipment

No information inserted

Literature

Specified separately for each individual course and listed as part of the project plan.

Examination and completion

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

Grading scale

P, F

Examination

  • LIT1 - Literature assignment, 6.0 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.

Examination takes the form of at least four documented meetings with the responsible teacher during the course, a final report and an oral presentation in the form of an open seminar where special emphasis is placed on the invitation of other doctoral students at the department. Grading criteria are specified in the compulsory project plan.

Other requirements for final grade

Passed project plan.
Passed active attendance during at least four scheduled and documented meetings.
Passed written report.
Passed oral final presentation.

Opportunity to complete the requirements via supplementary examination

No information inserted

Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination

No information inserted

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.

Further information

Course room in Canvas

Registered students find further information about the implementation of the course in the course room in Canvas. A link to the course room can be found under the tab Studies in the Personal menu at the start of the course.

Offered by

Main field of study

This course does not belong to any Main field of study.

Education cycle

Third cycle

Add-on studies

No information inserted

Postgraduate course

Postgraduate courses at CBH/School-wide