Type of course

The course is part of the Joint Nordic Master Programme in Environmental Law (NOMPEL).Only students admitted to the NOMPEL programme may register for this course.

In order to register for this master´s thesis course, students on the NOMPEL programme must have completed at least 75 ECTS of the total 120 ECTS on the NOMPEL programme.

The course is mandatory for students on the NOMPEL programme.

Course content

The course builds on and is intended to develop the knowledge and skills acquired by the student during the previous courses of the programme, including the written assignments and oral presentations, as well as methodological skills and competences.

The purpose of the master´s thesis is to provide the students with practice in processing and presenting larger legal research questions, based on an independent analysis of theme and sources.

The master´s thesis with oral exam shall provide for the in-depth study of a specific thesis topic, demanding individual research and analysis. The thesis shall address a topic related to the subjects taught in the programme. The topic must be approved by UiT.

In taking advantage of the offer of supervision of their thesis, students will practice in keeping to schedule with several internal deadlines before the final submission of their thesis. They will also gain experience in conducting advanced academic discussions on the topic of the assignment with their supervisor, which gives good practice for the oral exam.

Objectives of the course

Knowledge:

A student who successfully completes this course shall have acquired:

• Advanced knowledge on processing and presenting larger legal research questions.

• Advanced knowledge in legal methodology in order to undertake an independent analysis of a topic related to the subjects taught in the programme and of relevant sources, including advanced knowledge on the use of references to legal sources.

• Knowledge on ethical dilemmas in legal research.

Skills:

A student who successfully completes this course shall be able to:

• Identify, formulate and discuss legal research questions on the basis of a larger set of sources, including the ability to split research questions into several sub-questions.

• Apply legal sources in a critical and independent way.

• Argue in a transparent, complete, and balanced manner with precise and verifiable use of references.

• Produce a larger legal study of approximately 50 and maximum of 55 pages.

• Identify and understand the societal relevance of legal research questions.

• Summarise and present major legal research orally.

General competence:

A student who successfully completes this course shall be able to:

• Apply knowledge and skills acquired in the process of researching and writing the master´s thesis in relevant work assignments and projects, individually and in collaboration with others.

• Communicate legal arguments using clear and precise language in writing within the discipline, and to the general public, both in writing and orally.

• Identify and reflect upon issues concerning academic ethics.

• Apply the above knowledge and skills to carry out large written assignments within prevailing time frames.

• Use appropriate software to assist in the presentation of their legal analysis.

Language of instruction and examination

Teaching methods

Students are required to attend a mandatory course providing an introduction to writing a major paper and scientific thinking

The students are entitled to 19 hours of individual supervision during the writing of the master´s thesis, cf. Regulations for the Joint Nordic Master´s Programme in Environmental Law (NOMPEL) at UiT, Section 14. The supervisors are primarily appointed amongst the staff from Uppsala University, University of Eastern Finland, and UiT The Arctic University of Norway, but in special circumstances or due to their field of expertise, supervisors may also be appointed from outside these organizations.