Course code Medi6011

Credit points 30

Master Thesis

Total Hours in Course810

Independent study hours810

Date of course confirmation12.01.2024

Responsible UnitInstitute of Food

Course developer

author prof.

Inga Ciproviča

Dr. sc. ing.

Course abstract

A Master thesis is a research work performed independently by a student, which confirms that the Master student has acquired theoretical knowledge and methodical skills in nutrition science to the extent intended by the study programme. The Master thesis indicates student’s ability to conduct research and to independently make findings and draw conclusions.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge:
1) students are able to critically evaluate the findings in the literature related to the Master thesis thematic;
2) students are able to choose the research methods for the solving of the tasks set in the Master thesis;
3) students are able to analyse and evaluate the results of research work, substantiating their relevance.
Skills:
4) students are able to independently use theory, methods and skills for the performance of Master thesis tasks;
5) students are able to explain and discuss the results in an argumentative way obtained within the Master thesis;
Competencies:
6) students are able to integrate knowledge from different fields in the development of Master thesis;
7) students are able to develop research work in accordance with the 7th level of the European Higher Education Area qualification framework.

Course Content(Calendar)

Independent work
1. Choice of master's thesis topic, formulation of hypothesis, aim and tasks. (16 h)
2. Master's thesis plan elaboration. (16 h)
3. Literature studies and analysis. (84 h)
4. Development of research methodology. (8 h)
5. Selection of research and data processing methods, their approbation. (16 h)
6. Research work. (324 h)
7. Summary of research results. (40 h)
8. Data processing of research results. (40 h)
9. Analysis of the results. (80 h)
10. Summary of the results. (40 h)
11. Development of conclusions. (8 h)
12. Master's thesis writing. (40 h)
13. Pre-defence of master's thesis. (8 h)
14. Finalisation of master's thesis. (64 h)
15. Preparation of presentation. (8 h)

16. Defence of master's thesis. (8 h)

Requirements for awarding credit points

Developed and successfully defended Master's thesis in the open session.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Independently conducted research

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The Master's thesis is evaluated with a mark.

Compulsory reading

1. Brown, J.E. (2016). Nutrition through the life cycle. Sixth edition. Cengage Learning.
2. Analysis in Nutrition Research: principles of statistical methodology and interpretation of the results (2018). Edited G. Pounis. Academic Press.
3. Gropper, S.S. (2017). Advanced nutrition and human metabolism. Seventh edition. Cengage Learning.
4. Noformēšanas vadlīnijas PTF studentu darbiem - http://www.ptf.llu.lv/sites/ptf/files/202102/Noformesanas_noteikumi_2020_PTF.pdf
5. Metodiskie norādījumi maģistra darba izstrādei un aizstāvēšanai (2012). Jelgava: LLU. http://www.ptf.llu.lv/sites/ptf/files/2017-04/Metodiskie%20nor%C4%81d%C4%ABjumi%20ma%C4%A3istra%20darba%20izstr%C4%81dei_0.pdf

Further reading

1. Statistics in food science and nutrition (2013). Edit. A.H. Pripp. Springer.
2. Cargill, M., O’Connor, P. (2009). Writing scientific research articles: strategy and steps. Wiley-Blackwell.
3. Hofmann A.H. (2010). Scientific writing and communication: papers, proposals, and presentations. Oxford University Press, 682 p.

4. Wallace M., Wray A. (2016). Critical reading and writing for postgraduates. SAGE Publications.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Science direct datu bāze
2. Web of Science datu bāze
3. SCOPUS datu bāze
4. FOODnetBASE