Course syllabus - Bachelor Thesis Work, Product Design - Mechanical 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 in the field of product design, mechanical design process. 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 fulfil the requirements that the Swedish Authority of higher education has set on a degree of Bachelor of science in engineering.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student must be able to:
1. Independently plan and, using adequate methods, accomplish a project 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 product design,  mechanical design process, 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 within the field

Course content

In the course the students plan, conduct and present a project in the field of product design,  mechanical design process. 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 120 credits of which 15 credits in Mathematics/Applied Mathematics and 60 credits in Product and Process Development, of which 15 credits at level G2F where 7,5 credits are related to the thesis subject.

Examination

Project (PRO1), Completion of the project and written thesis report, 12 credits, marks Pass (G)
Seminar (SEM1), Oral presentation of the approved thesis, 2 credits, marks Pass (G)
Exercise (INL1), Oral and written opposition to another thesis, 1 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 Thesis Work, Product Development - Mechanical Design Process.