Course syllabus
MMSX11 Degree Project in Nautical Science (15 credits)
Study Period 2–3, Autumn Semester 2026
Offered by the Chalmers School of Maritime Studies
Contact Information
Examiner and Course Responsible
Fredrik Olindersson Head of School, Chalmers School of Maritime Studies Email: fredrik.olindersson@chalmers.se
Supervisors
Each project group is assigned an academic supervisor. The supervisor provides scientific and technical guidance throughout the project process, supports the planning report, and gives feedback on drafts and project progress. Each group is allocated approximately 15 hours of supervision, including meetings, reading, and commenting on submitted material.
Academic Communication Support
The course is conducted in collaboration with the Chalmers Language and Communication Unit and Chalmers Library, which provide lectures and guidance on academic writing, information search, presentation skills, reference management, and academic integrity.
Course Aim
The degree project is the final and most comprehensive course in the programme. It provides an opportunity to investigate a relevant maritime problem, challenge, or development area through independent academic work.
The project allows students to deepen their knowledge within an area related to Nautical Science, while developing their ability to identify and formulate research questions, apply scientific methods, analyse results, and communicate findings professionally.
The degree project is an important step in becoming a reflective maritime professional capable of contributing to the development of the maritime sector through evidence-based practice and critical thinking. The course also serves as a bridge to lifelong learning and professional development.
Schedule
The course schedule is available through TimeEdit:
Students are responsible for regularly checking both TimeEdit and Canvas for updates.
Literature
There is no mandatory course textbook, but one of the following books are recommended to read:
- Denscombe, M. (2016). Forskningshandboken: För småskaliga forskningsprojekt inom samhällsvetenskaperna. Lund: Studentlitteratur or e-book: Denscombe, M. (2014). The good research guide: For small scale research projects (Fifth ed.). Retrieved from https://www.dawsonera.com
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Keskitalo, C. (2026). Tratten - Enkel forskningsdesign för att skriva och bedöma uppsats. Lund. Studentlitteratur.
Students are expected to identify and critically evaluate relevant scientific literature, industry reports, international regulations, and other credible sources related to their chosen topic.
Resources include:
- Chalmers Library databases
- Scopus
- Web of Science
- Google Scholar
- IMO publications
- Industry reports and relevant standards
- Previous degree projects published in Chalmers Open Digital Repository (ODR)
Additional reading material, templates, and guides will be provided through Canvas.
Course Structure
The course is organised around an independent research project, normally conducted in groups of two students. The project corresponds to approximately 400 hours of work per student.
The course consists of the following activities:
Introduction Session
The course begins with an introduction covering the project process, academic requirements, course administration, and available support resources.
Literature Search and Information Retrieval
Students participate in sessions provided by the Library and are expected to develop systematic search strategies for finding relevant literature.
Planning Report
Early in the course, students prepare a planning report including:
- Background
- Aim and research questions
- Scope and delimitations
- Proposed methodology
- Time schedule
- Annotated bibliography
- Ethical, societal, and environmental considerations
The planning report must be approved by the examiner before the main project work proceeds.
Supervision
Throughout the project, students meet regularly with their supervisor. Students are expected to prepare agendas and submit material in advance of supervision meetings.
Midterm Seminar
Students present project progress, receive feedback, and discuss challenges related to methodology, data collection, analysis, and academic writing.
Academic Writing Support
Workshops and consultations provided by the Language and Communication Unit support report writing, presentation skills, and opposition techniques.
Final Report
Students submit a complete academic report demonstrating scientific rigour, critical analysis, and a clear connection between research question, method, results, and conclusions.
Oral Presentation and Defence
Students present and defend their work before an audience consisting of fellow students, supervisors, and examiners.
Opposition
Each student group conducts a formal opposition on another degree project and participates actively in academic discussions.
Canvas and Communication
Canvas is the primary communication channel for the course.
Students are expected to:
- Check Canvas several times each week.
- Read all announcements and course messages.
- Submit assignments through Canvas.
- Use published templates and instructions.
- Monitor deadlines and examination requirements.
Questions regarding:
- Academic content and project work should primarily be directed to the supervisor.
- Assessment and examination matters should be directed to the examiner.
- Administrative matters should be directed to the course administration.
Email should be used when personal or project-specific communication is required.
Attendance, Deadlines and Late Submissions
Several course activities are mandatory and must be completed to pass the course.
Failure to meet project deadlines may delay feedback, examination, and final grading.
If special circumstances arise, students must contact their supervisor and examiner as soon as possible.
Any required revisions of the thesis must be completed within the timeframe specified by the examiner.
Changes Since the Previous Course Offering
The course homepage in Canvas has been updated.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:
- Acquire and apply advanced knowledge within the programme's disciplinary field, including awareness of current developments.
- Independently identify, formulate, and address complex questions using a holistic and creative approach.
- Plan, conduct, analyse, and evaluate a project using appropriate methods within given constraints.
- Select, apply, and critically evaluate scientific methods in relation to a chosen research question.
- Critically use knowledge and information to model, analyse, predict, and evaluate relevant phenomena.
- Identify and discuss societal, environmental, and ethical aspects related to the chosen project.
- Present and discuss findings orally and in writing with a high standard of structure, language, and academic quality.
- Defend a scientific investigation and critically review the work of others.
- Search for, evaluate, and use relevant information sources.
- Demonstrate academic integrity, including source criticism, citation practices, referencing, and copyright awareness.
Based on the official course syllabus.
Examination
The assessment consists of several mandatory components designed to evaluate the achievement of the course learning outcomes.
Mandatory Components
- Approved project proposal and planning report
- Participation in information search activities
- Participation in academic writing activities
- Approved midterm seminar
- Approved final thesis report
- Approved oral presentation and defence
- Approved written and oral opposition
- Attendance at a minimum of two additional thesis presentations
Assessment Criteria
Assessment focuses on:
- Quality and relevance of the research question
- Scientific and methodological quality
- Critical analysis and discussion
- Handling of literature and sources
- Consideration of ethical, societal, and environmental aspects
- Quality of written communication
- Quality of oral presentation and defence
- Ability to conduct and present constructive opposition
Grading
The course is graded 5/4/3/Fail (U) according to the official course syllabus.
A passing grade requires successful completion of all mandatory course components and approval by the examiner.
Examination Dates
Specific dates for seminars, presentations, and submission deadlines are published in Canvas and TimeEdit.
Use of AI Tools
Generative AI tools may be used as support tools when permitted by the examiner. Students remain fully responsible for all submitted content, including factual accuracy, originality, academic integrity, and correct referencing. Any use of AI tools must comply with Chalmers regulations and instructions provided in the course.
Official Course Plan
The official Chalmers course plan can be found here:
Course summary:
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