Course syllabus - Master Thesis Work, Product Design

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  concurrent engineering. 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 that the student shall develop and show knowledge and ability to, in a technical and scientific way, process a problem in the field of  concurrent engineering. 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 completing the course, the student should be able to:

1. Independently plan and, using adequate methods, accomplish a project on an advanced level within given delimitations
2. Describe the aim, purpose, and goal for the project and describe a possible continuation of the project
3. Analyze and apply processes and tools within the field of concurrent engineering, for problem formulation, finding solutions, evaluate alternative solutions, and in the end apply a robust solution to the problem
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. Draw conclusions and give recommendations for the continuing work, based on the performed studies
7. Describe the project in a scientific report that is correct regarding structure and content, including reflections of the learning goals listed above
8. Orally present the aim, accomplishment and result of the project
9. Evaluate and give written and oral critique in a constructive manner on other projects on advanced level

Course content

In the course the students plan, conduct and present a project in the field of  concurrent engineering. 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, on 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 240 credits of which 60 credits on advanced level. 45 credits of the courses at advanced level have to be in the area of Product- and process development with a focus on product development and 15 credits at advanced level shall be at the postgraduate level related to the thesis subject.
In addition, 7,5 credits in Scientific theory and methodology and 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

Project (PRO1), Completion of the project and written thesis report, 27 ECTS credits, marks Pass (G)
Seminar (SEM1), Oral presentation of the approved thesis, 2 ECTS credits, marks Pass (G)
Exercise (INL1), Oral and written opposition to another thesis, 1 ECTS credit, marks Pass (G)

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 course completely overlaps with KPP305 Masters Thesis Work, Concurrent Engineering.