Course syllabus - Thesis for the Degree of Master of Science in Engineering - Dependable Systems

Objectives

The course should give an insight into how to plan, perform, and present an independent project, and give an insight in the working life of an engineer or researcher in the field of dependable systems. In the project, the student is assumed to use and integrate previously acquired knowledge, experience and skills and thereby further deepen the understanding of the field of studies. The aim of the thesis course is to let the student develop and show knowledge and ability to, in a technical and scientific way, process a problem in the field of dependable systems. In all, the student is supposed to fulfil the requirements that the Swedish Authority of higher education has set on a degree of Master of Science in Engineering.

Learning outcomes

After the course, the student shall be able to 
1. independently plan and, using adequate methods, accomplish a project on an advanced level within given delimitations, 
2. identify and use adequate methods to implement and verify solutions, 
3. describe the aim, purpose, and goal for the project and describe a possible continuation of the project, 
4. apply a critical view to the technical solutions and thereby in an early stage point out the possibilities and difficulties in the project, 
5. analyze technical problems and present the "State of the art" and "State of practice" in the project domains and critically evaluate the chosen methods and solutions, 
6. analyze and apply processes and tools within the field of dependable systems, for problem formulation and solution finding, to evaluate alternative solutions, and in the end apply a solution to the problem, 
7. describe the project in a scientific report conforming to correct structure and content, including reflections of the learning goals listed above, 
8. orally present the aim, accomplishment and result of the project, and 
9. evaluate and give written and oral feedback in a constructive manner to other projects on advanced level within the subject.

Course content

In the course, the student plans, conducts and presents a project in the field of dependable systems. The area and scope of the project is chosen/decided together with the supervisor and the examiner before the project starts. The thesis project may be undertaken within the university, at an external company, or as an independent project. If the project is performed at an external company, the company should also assign a supervisor. The problem that the project is based upon should be presented and its relevance as well as the presented solutions should be discussed and motivated. The thesis should include relevant fundamental theories as well as contemporary research and established practices. In other words, the work should be connected to "State-of-the-art" and "State-of-practice". Focus in the thesis should be on the technical content.

Specific requirements

Completed courses of at least 30 credits Aeronautical Engineering, 30 credits in Computer Science, 30 credits Electronics, 30 credits Mathematics and 15 credits Physics. In addition is at least 7,5 credits in scientific methods and at least 70 credits in the area of Dependable systems required. In addition, Swedish course B/Swedish course 3 and English course A/English course 6 are required. For courses given entirely in English exemption is made from the requirement in Swedish course B/Swedish course 3

Examination

Written assignment (INL1), Oral and written opposition to another thesis, 1 credit, marks Fail (U) or Pass (G), examines learning outcome 9 
Mandatory participation (OBN1), Mandatory participation during another master thesis presentation, 0.5 credit, marks Fail (U) or Pass (G), examines learning outcomes 4-5 
Mandatory participation (OBN2), Mandatory participation during another master thesis presentation, 0.5 credit, marks Fail (U) or Pass (G) , examines learning outcomes 4-5 
Project (PRO1), Completion of the project and written thesis report, 26 credits, marks Fail (U) or Pass (G), examines learning outcomes 1-7 
Seminar (SEM1), Oral presentation of the approved thesis, 2 credits, marks Fail (U) or Pass (G), examines learning outcome 8

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, Fail

Interim Regulations and Other Regulations

The examiner shall, in every individual case, make an assessment upon application, if the thesis work shall be part of another degree than the Degree of Master in Engineering in Dependable Systems.
The course can be be included in the technology area Dependable systems.