Syllabus for |
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| PPU215 - Research methodology in production projects |
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| Syllabus adopted 2015-02-15 by Head of Programme (or corresponding) |
| Owner: MPPEN |
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7,5 Credits |
| Grading: TH - Five, Four, Three, Not passed |
| Education cycle: Second-cycle |
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Major subject: Automation and Mechatronics Engineering, Industrial Engineering and Management, Mechanical Engineering
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Department: 44 - PRODUCT AND PRODUCTION DEVELOPMENT
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The current course round has limited places. Please contact the student center if you are not able to add the course to your selection.
Teaching language: English
Block schedule:
A
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Credit distribution |
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Examination dates |
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Sp1 |
Sp2 |
Sp3 |
Sp4 |
Summer course |
No Sp |
| 0114 |
Project |
7,5 c |
Grading: TH |
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7,5 c
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In programs
MPPEN PRODUCTION ENGINEERING, MSC PROGR, Year 1 (compulsory)
Examiner:
Docent
Cecilia Berlin
Replaces
IAR056
Project in industrial production & organization IAR058
Production project course - pre study IAR059
Project - Scientific Theory & Engineering Methodology
Theme:
MTS 7,5 hec
Eligibility:
In order to be eligible for a second cycle course the applicant needs to fulfil the general and specific entry requirements of the programme that owns the course. (If the second cycle course is owned by a first cycle programme, second cycle entry requirements apply.)
Exemption from the eligibility requirement:
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling these requirements.
Course specific prerequisites
The course is reserved for students in Chalmers Master's Programme in Production Engineering with knowledge requisites corresponding to preceding compulsory courses in the programme.
Aim
The purpose of this course is to enable the students to independently and from different perspectives (including ethical) critically and constructively discuss:
- the characteristics of scientific and engineering knowledge
- how science and engineering knowledge should be produced
The aim is that the student should be able to apply a number of theoretical frameworks and methods for generating decision support, in a critical reflection on engineering methodology. A further objective is the ability to formulate and respond to critique in an academic seminar, both orally and in writing. The intention is to make the students aware of Theory of Science and how the standpoints and moral values of individual engineers affect the selected approach as well as the obtained results. Furthermore, the course aims to increase their intellectual skills, especially critical reflection capacity about their impact on society regarding all aspects of sustainability. The course will provide the students with the possibility to train their communication skills, in the form of well-prepared oral as well as written presentations of project results.
Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)
1. Use a structured project methodology to apply knowledge and skills gained in the university education.
2. Describe the fundamentals of Theory of Science and relate the problematic challenges of selecting suitable methods and in a trustworthy way defend achieved engineering results
3. Assess the need for scientific information, search for that information and critically evaluate its relevance.
4. Select appropriate research engineering methods for fulfilling the research project objectives, and critically evaluate used methods with consideration to both scientific and ethical aspects.
5. Reflect on project results and their impact on society regarding all aspects of sustainability.
6. Collaborate in accordance with a project group's needs of structured management and task distribution.
7. Write a project planning report, a project report and summarize the project results in an independent portfolio representation of the project’s outcomes
8. Perform a clear oral presentation of the project results.
9. Give constructive feedback on another project group's work and respond to similar criticism on the own project group's work.
Content
Theory of Science
- the relationship between Basic research, Applied research and Experimental development
- science versus technology
- the ideas of paradigms and discourses
- hypothesis testing
- causes and correlations
- design of experiments
Science and production engineering modelling
- the deductive and inductive approaches
- qualitative and quantitative methods
- modelling based on measurements and observations
- action research
Engineering ethics and society
- socio-political influences on science and engineering
- what is ethics?
- Merton`s 4 ethical norms
- plagiarism, copying and referencing
Communication skills
- report writing
- presentation techniques- visualisation - opponent guidelines
Organisation
The course includes a series of lectures, exercises and seminars aiming to give the students general knowledge about Production-related Theory of Science, Production Engineering Research Methodology, Engineering Ethics and Communication Skills.
Project groups are formed at the beginning of the course. Each group can call for meeting with a supervisor at least once a week at the university, to get guidance through their projects and assistance with reaching the learning objectives.
Literature
Scientific papers
Lecture presentations
Examination
A completed project report is a prerequisite for grading, as well as participation at mandatory activities. The project work and individual assignments are cornerstones in determining the grades. With regard to the learning objectives, the assessment also takes place in the project groups. The students in each project group will evaluate each other’s individual contribution to the project's results and the examiner will listen to the students opinion when the final grade is decided. The quality of presentations and opponent effort will also determine the grading: Fail, 3, 4 or 5.