Course syllabus - Introduction to Technical Projects

Objectives

The purpose of the course is to develop the students’ understanding and skills of technical projects, project management and project work, theoretically and practically, in order to prepare them for their future roles as well as for working in projects during their studies. The purpose of the course is also develop students’ understanding of the importance of integrating knowledge from the technical bases of the program and knowledge from industrial engineering and management in order to produce solutions to complex problems. Examples of issues from the technical bases, as well as from research conducted in these, are also presented.

Learning outcomes

After completion of the course the student shall be able to
1. Describe basic project management concepts
2. Formulate a relevant problem in a given situation using information from different sources
3. Choose between different solution strategies based on the technical bases in the program and motivate the choice
4. Identify and describe various dimensions in a project, (e.g. technical, societal, ethical and financial)
5. Formulate a project plan, implement it, and present the results both orally and in a written report following academic standards
6. Describe and evaluate one’s individual contribution to the project in relation to one’s own learning needs

Course content

In the first part of the course basic concepts and theory related to projects, project management and project work are introduced. After that, the students work in groups with (1) identifying a problem departing from a given situation; (2) formulating a solution to the problem that is based in the integration of knowledge from the technical bases and from industrial engineering and management; (3) planning a project to implement the solution; (4) conducting the project according to the plan, and (5) presenting the results with the help of some sort of prototype, mock-up or visualization.

Tuition

Lectures, project task, supervision, seminars, work on individual assignment.

Requirements

Physics B, Chemistry A, Mathematics E or Physics 2, Chemistry 1, Mathematics 4.

Examination

Written examination (TEN1), 2 credits, grades 3, 4 or 5 [learning outcome 1]
Group assignement 1 (GRU1), Project plan, 2 credits, grade Pass (G) [learning outcomes 2, 3, 5]
Group assignement 2 (GRU2), Project report, 2 credits, grades 3, 4 or 5 [learning outcomes 4, 5]
Group assignement 3 (GRU3), Oral presentation of the project, 0,5 credit, grade Pass (G) [learning outcomes 3, 5]
Assignment (INL1), Individual reflective task, 1 credit, grade Pass (G) [learning outcome 6]

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.

Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.

Grade

Pass with distinction, Pass with credit, Pass, Fail