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Course syllabus - Autonomous Vehicles

Scope

5.0 credits

Course code

DVA348

Valid from

Autumn semester 2026

Education level

First cycle

Progressive Specialisation

G2F (First cycle, has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements)

Main area(s)

Computer Science

Organisation

Department of Computer Science & Engineering

Ratified

2025-01-16

Revised

2025-11-03

Literature lists

Course literature is preliminary up to 8 weeks before course start. Course literature can be valid over several semesters.

    • Ratified date: 2025-11-17
    • Latest update: 2025-11-17

    Miscellaneous

    The course has no specific literature

Objectives

The aim with the course is to teach basic technology enabling fully autonomous vehicles. The aim is also to make students able to perform overall assessments of the usefulness of these vehicles including safety critical, environmental, and ethical considerations.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course the student should be able to:

  1. explain different areas of application for autonomous vehicles,
  2. summarize basic technical enablers for autonomous vehicles,
  3. define typical requirements that are required for autonomous vehicles,
  4. reflect upon people's perspective regarding driverless/pilotless vehicles, and
  5. conceive and defend legal and ethical aspects arising when humans and autonomous vehicles interact.

Course content

Different application areas for autonomous vehicles will be identified and illuminated through a home assignment. Basic technical enablers such as artificial intelligence, computing platforms and specific safety requirements for these vehicles, will also be addressed through the home assignment.

During seminars, the omission of operators (pilots/drivers) in autonomous vehicles as well as legal and ethical aspects regarding the interplay between humans and autonomous vehicles will be discussed.

Specific requirements

75 credits of which 60 credits from completed courses in engineering including Requirements Engineering 7.5 credits.

Examination

Written assignment (INL1), 3 credits, examines the learning outcomes 1, 2 and 3, marks Fail (U), 3, 4 or 5.
Seminar (SEM1), 2 credits, examines the learning outcomes 4 and 5, marks Fail (U) or Pass (G).

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding disability study support, can request adaptions for the examination. It is the examiner who takes decisions on any adaptions, based on the certificate and other conditions.

Grade

Grading scale: 5, 4, 3

Interim Regulations and Other Regulations

The course completely overlaps with FLA433 Autonomous Vehicles.

The course can be included in the technology field for dependable systems.