Syllabus 2009/2010 VSMN01

Syllabus academic year 2009/2010
(Created 2009-08-11.)

METHODOLOGY FOR DEGREE PROJECT

VSMN01

Higher education credits: 2. Grading scale: UG. Level: A (Second level). Language of instruction: The course might be given in English. Optional for: L4, M4, MD4, V4. Course coordinator: Susanne Heyden, susanne.heyden@byggmek.lth.se, Byggnadsmekanik. Prerequisites: At least 210 hp that can be included in the degree. The student must recently have initiated (but not completed) a degree project, or be about to do so during the course. The course might be cancelled if the numer of applicants is less than 15. Assessment: Presence at 80% of the lectures, carry out information management excercise, one hand in assignment, including active participation in a seminar, and one oral presentation. The examination assignments relate to the students own degree project. Further information: Seminars for the examinations will be held continuously, so that the student has a possibility to participate in a seminar at the right phase of the degree project. This means that some hours may be later in time than is said in the time schedule. Home page: http://www.byggmek.lth.se.

Aim
The objective of the course is to prepare the student to plan, carry out and report a Degree Project for the Degree of Master of Science in Engineering.

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

Be able to describe basic concepts in theory of science, and be able to relate those to ones degree project.
Be able to describe some research methods which are used in various science areas at LTH, and relate those to ones degree project.
Be able to describe how a project is run, from problem formulation to breaking down this into sub activities which are planned, organised and carried out.
Be able to describe the creative process in a project, and how difficulties can be avoided.
Be able to describe how a scientific report is usually written with respect to structure, style and handling of references.

Skills and abilities
For a passing grade the student must

Be able to perform search of information related to the subject of ones degree project.
Be able to design an adequate search strategy in relation to ones problem.
Be able to present ones work orally, so that an audience consisting of other course participants can understand the most important ideas.

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

Be able to examine and evaluate information sources.
Know what academic honourableness means in relation to the degree project.
Be able to give feedback in a manner so that it is a help for the reciever, and be able to recieve constructive criticism.

Contents
Information management, theory of science and research methodology, project planning, issues concerning plagiarism, how to write a technical report , oral presentation, to give and take feedback.

Literature
Course material in Mitt kursbibliotek.
Recommended book: Höst, M, Regnell, B, Runeson, P: Att genomföra examensarbete. Studentlitteratur 2006. ISBN: 978-91-44-00521-8