Programme Syllabus for Master of Science in Knowledge-Based 120 higher education credits Second Cycle Established by the Faculty Board of the School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, on October 13, 2010, last revised March 28, 2012. Graduate School School of Business, Economics and Law at University of Gothenburg Vasagatan 1, PO Box 695, SE 405 30 Göteborg, Sweden +46 31 786 0000, +46 31 786 5339 (fax) www.handels.gu.se study.info@gs.gu.se
2 / 7 1. Decision and Guidelines The study programme for the Master of Science in Knowledge-Based, 120 higher education credits, hec, (equals 120 ECTS credits), was established by the Faculty Board of the School of Business, Economics and Law, on October 13, 2010, last revised March 28, 2012. The programme syllabus applies as from autumn term of 2012. 2. General Objectives Second cycle education shall according to the Swedish Higher Education Act (HEA) build on knowledge that students acquire in first cycle education or corresponding knowledge (see Appendix 1, HEA, ch. 1:9) The general objectives for a Master (120 credits) are stated in Appendix 2, the Higher Education Ordinance (see Appendix 1). 3. Programme Specific Objectives (learning outcomes) The master programme Knowledge-Based (KBE) aims to provide students with insightful knowledge about innovation and entrepreneurship as well as the skills to turn such knowledge into practice. The goal is thus to help the student acquire perspectives, skills and experiences necessary to take on an entrepreneurial role in whatever position s/he may find her/himself. The twofold purpose with the programme is to a) develop and train entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs with strong analytical and creative abilities and experiences of handling complex knowledge areas and markets, and b) through multidisciplinary teams develop new businesses with high growth potential. This means that there is an individual learning process for each student to grow abilities of analysis, reflection and entrepreneurship. At the same time the education involves a team formation process, where collaborative skills are practiced and the students various backgrounds enrich the joint learning process. After successfully completing the programme the student should be able to; * identify, comprehend, critically assess, correctly apply, and creatively integrate existing scientific knowledge that can be used for knowledge-based entrepreneurship, * through the application of interdisciplinary competences in innovation economics and management, strategy, finance, etc., design, validate and select solutions to construct and create knowledge-based businesses, * apply skills in communication, project management and team management in simulated complex situations as well as in venture creation processes.
3 / 7 4. Organisation All Graduate School programmes are managed by the Dean of the Graduate School while the operational responsibility rests with the Director of Studies. Each Graduate School programme has a programme coordinator and an advisory programme committee responsible for programme and course content. 5. Programme Disposition and Content In Knowledge-Based the student is guided through a full venture creation process. During the first year cases and examples of practical implementation are important vehicles to accomplish such learning processes. In the second year the programme moves on to implementation of competencies acquired. This involves a venture creation process, where the concept is to link a new product or service idea with a team of students, and provide teaching modules and coaching throughout the journey. For the duration of a year a new business is developed within the team, continuously supported and tutored by the faculty and business coaches. The disposition below applies to students admitted 2012 and onwards Year 1 Autumn Term Spring Term Period 1 Period 2 Period 3 Period 4 GM0401 Innovation Management (core) GM0803 Strategy and Organization (core) GM1302 and Business Planning (core) GMxxxx Knowledge Intensive (core) GM0411 and New Business Development (core) GM0407 Research Methods in Innovation and Industrial Management (core) Elective course Elective course
4 / 7 Year 2 Autumn Term Spring Term Period 1 Period 2 Period 3 Period 4 GMxxxx Venture Creation (core) 30 hec GMxxxx Master Degree Project (thesis) 30 hec The electives are tentative depending upon faculty changes and number of registered students and may vary from year to year. The programme covers four academic terms of full-time study (120 hec) including three terms of courses (90 hec) and one term of Master Degree Project 30 hec (thesis writing). The programme comprises core courses, elective courses and Master Degree Project. Core courses are programme specific and include courses in methods with emphasis on qualitative and quantitative analysis. Elective courses from other master programmes may be an option. Each term is divided into two periods, and each course is, except where noted. In addition to the courses, the programme involves a number of mandatory and some elective resource and skill development activities, all of which are integral to achieving the learning objectives. The mandatory activities must be completed in order to graduate from the programme. Core courses Year 1: C1: Innovation Management () 1 st period C2: and New Business Development (7.5. hec) 1 st period C3: Strategy and Organization () 2 nd period C4: Research Methods in Innovation and Industrial Management (7,5 hec) 2 nd period C5: and Business Planning () 3 rd period C6: Knowledge Intensive () 4 th period Year 2: C7: Venture Creation (30 hec) 1 st period Electives The KBE programme includes 15 hec elective courses. The Graduate School will provide the list of elective courses possible to choose for each year. The elective options can vary from year to year depending on demand and resources.
5 / 7 Master Degree Project (30 hec) (Master thesis), Year 2 The Master Degree Project aims to give the student opportunity to practice acquired skills on a venture creation project. The Master Degree Project is a substantial piece of applied research. It is the final phase in the master programme. It must involve an analysis based on the material covered by the course work. By requiring the students to devote the equivalent of one full term to writing the Master Degree Project, we thus stress the importance of enabling the student to use a research approach, i.e. to be analytical and apply critical thinking, in the course of their everyday work as well as in decision-making. The degree project should be written in English. Studies abroad The programme contains a venture creation process which is integral to the learning goals. Therefore, within this programme students do not have the option to study abroad. 6. Tuition and Examination The language of instruction is English. Courses will include lectures, seminars, case studies and projects. The students will also work together in small groups, according to educational principles such as problem-based learning, experiential learning and action learning. Group reports will be assessed and graded individually as will individual term papers and individually written exams. The courses will be examined separately. Each course is graded with Pass with Distinction (väl godkänd, VG), Pass (godkänd, G) or Fail (underkänd, U). The Graduate School is obliged to offer the exam at least five times during the course of each two year period. Students who have made five unsuccessful attempts to pass an exam have lost the possibility of obtaining the Master of Science Degree. 7. Admission Requirements and Selection Process General Entrance Requirements To meet the entry requirements for master's level (second cycle or graduate) studies, you must: have been awarded a Bachelor's degree (equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen) from an internationally recognized university
6 / 7 be able to demonstrate proficiency in English by means of an internationally recognized test, e. g. TOEFL, IELTS or the equivalent. The level of English must be equivalent to English B from Swedish Upper Secondary School 1. Read more about General Entrance Requirements on www.universityadmissions.se (for international students) and www.antagning.se (for Swedish students). Programme Specific Entrance Requirements - Master of Science in Knowledge-Based A) The applicant s university education must include a minimum of 60 hec in one of the following subject areas: Business Administration, Medicine/Biotechnology or Law, Or B) The applicant s university education must include at least a Bachelors Degree (i.e. the equivalent of 180 hec) in Engineering or Natural Science and also a minimum of 15 hec in one, or a combination, of the following subject areas: Business Administration, Industrial Management and Law. The admission requirements listed above apply for admission to the programme. For continued studies within the programme individual courses might have specific requirements, as provided in each course outline. Selection Process In order to be eligible the applicant must meet the General Entrance Requirements, the English Proficiency Requirements as well as the Programme Specific Entrance Requirements. The selection of eligible students is based on GMAT result or GRE General Test result. The GMAT or GRE General Test result must not be older than 5 years on the last date for application. The Master programme in Knowledge-based currently has an additional application process with interviews etc. You will find more information on the Graduate School website: www.handels.gu.se/gs. 1 For Swedish students Engelska B from Upper Secondary School (gymnasiet).
7 / 7 8. Degree Certificate and Degree Title Upon completion (receiving a minimum grade of Pass) of all the courses and the degree project, and fulfilment of the requirements given above, students will receive a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a Major in Knowledge-Based. 9. Programme Evaluation All courses in the programme will be anonymously evaluated by the students upon completion. The results of the evaluation will be communicated to the students and will function as a guide for the development of the course and of the programme.