Theses and working life development projects

Theses are a significant part of the university’s R&D activity. Theses are linked to the multi-layered entity of R&D activity, whose participants are SeAMK students, teachers and representatives of working life.

At SeAMK, there are five fields of study and more than 20 degree programmes. Every year, hundreds of theses are completed. Because of the multidisciplinary nature of the university, both the subjects of the theses and their methods of implementation differ between faculties.

The aim of a thesis at the university is to develop and demonstrate a student’s skill in applying his/her knowledge and expertise to a practical specialist task related to vocational studies (Polytechnics Act 351/2003). In a thesis, knowledge and skills acquired in studies are applied to the requirements of practical working life.

In a thesis, a student’s ability is reflected in independent specialist tasks in his/her own field of study. Often a thesis also acts as the student’s bridge to working life: many jobs are found as a result of the theses.

Theses are prepared:

As working life development projects. A development project can be aimed, for example, at the improvement of a company’s or organisation’s working methods or other practices or at the planning of new ones.
As productions. A production may lead to e.g. design and development of new products or tools.
As research-based theses . A research-based thesis can be carried out as a theoretical work including also practical issues, e.g. as development of new operational models or performing an evaluation study. Theses are normally based on separately obtained material which is analysed qualitatively and/or quantitatively.

At SeAMK, almost 80% of theses are project-based, that is to say done in co-operation with or commissioned by a company or other externa organisation. A written contract is always drawn up for a project-based thesis.

Further information about theses done at SeAMK is available from faculty personnel.