Rules for the final oral exam
The oral exam is intended to test the examinee’s general knowledge of economics. In particular, it is meant to verify that the examinee is able to participate in, and contribute to, a conversation on economic subjects and problems. In addition, the oral exam is also meant as to verify that the examinee has done independent work on the master’s thesis.
Questions should be asked that test the examinee’s knowledge of the contents of his/her master’s thesis. Preferably, questions should also test the examinee’s ability to see the thesis in a broader context. Some additional short questions may here be suitable in order to ascertain the general knowledge of the examinee.
The general part of the exam may consist of one or both of the examiners asking specific questions. The examinee may also be asked to discuss a more general topic. It should be possible to follow up at least one question with additional questions that are a natural continuation of the this. The examiners should adapt these follow-up questions to the ability of the examinee, in order not to break the flow of the examination. It is desirable to let at least part of the exam take the form of a discussion between the examinee and the examiner(s).
1. The oral exam should have a duration of between 45 and 60 minutes.
2. The grades give are A –F, with A as the best and E as the weakest passing grade. F is fail.
3. The oral exam is open to the public.
4. The oral exam commences with the examinee giving a presentation of her/his thesis for up to 10 minutes. Prepared manuscripts or PowerPoint presentations are not allowed.
5. The examinee should then be asked questions in relation to the thesis for no longer than 15 minutes.
6. The marks should evaluate the examinee’s ability in giving an oral presentation.
It should not be an evaluation of the master’s thesis.
7. The questions may deal with topics from the whole discipline of economics, not only from the examinee’s fields of specialization. However, attention must be paid to the examinee’s portfolio of courses, so that questions are not asked on topics which the examinee cannot be expected to know. This caution applies especially to examinees from the Master’s programme in Environment and Development Economics, and to examinees specializing in Demography.