Course syllabus

Examensarbete i brandteknik
Degree Project in Fire Safety Engineering

VBRM01, 22,5 credits, A (Second Cycle)

Valid for: 2013/14
Decided by: The Faculty Board
Date of Decision: 2010-06-07

General Information

Compulsory for: BI4

Aim

The aim of the degree project is to allow the student to develop and demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to work independently as a Fire Engineer by acquiring new knowledge and by applying this and the knowledge previously acquired to a problem in fire protection engineering and then resolving it independently and in a manner conducive to good engineering practice.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

• demonstrate in-depth knowledge in the problem area chosen within fire engineering or in a specialist area of study,
• demonstrate an ability to find information and knowledge relevant to the problems explored in the degree project,
• demonstrate an ability to place the problems explored in the degree project in the wider context of the discipline by exploiting knowledge acquired during the programme of study.

Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

• demonstrate an ability, in an autonomous manner and critical fashion, to exploit and develop methods and techniques in fire protection in construction engineering, town planning, risk and crisis management or in the emergency and rescue services,
• demonstrate an ability from a holistic perspective to identify, formulate and handle issues in an autonomous and creative manner and be able to evaluate various technical solutions to the problems explored in the degree project,
• demonstrate an ability to plan and execute a degree project within given time limits using relevant methods in a manner conducive to engineering practice,
• demonstrate an ability to integrate knowledge previously acquired in key qualifying courses in a critical a systematic manner, both during the course of the programme of study and during work on the degree project,
• demonstrate an ability to identify relevant sources of information, carry out information searches, evaluate the relevance of this information and use correct conventions of documentation, and
• demonstrate an ability to give a clear account of and discuss orally and in writing. his/her findings and the knowledge and arguments on which these are based.

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

• demonstrate an ability to assess his/her own degree project and those of other students with due regard to relevant artistic, scientific, social and ethical aspects.

Contents

The degree project comprises:

• a written report in either Swedish or English and with a summary in Swedish (only for Swedish-speaking students) and English;
• the presentation of the degree project at a public seminar at the Faculty of Engineering and
• a critical examination of another student's degree project at the public seminar where it is presented.

The degree project is an independent project. It is to be executed individually or in groups of two. If the degree project is carried out as a group, the contribution of each student must be clearly discernible.

The report is to be made available in a state suitable for examination at least two weeks before the seminar. The department is responsible for providing the requisite number of copies of the report. The seminar can be timetabled for a day that is not within term time if the student, supervisor and examiner are in agreement. It is desirable, but not obligatory, that the report is critically examined by a student also presenting a degree project at the seminar. The same report can be critically examined by several co-students.

The course includes a component which is intended to give an insight into scientific method, report writing and seeking information. The written report is to follow the requirements specified in “General Requirements Concerning the Lay-out and Purpose of Assignments in Fire Safety Engineering Courses.” ( http://www.brand.lth.se/fileadmin/brandteknik/utbild/inuppgkrav.pdf ).

Examination details

Grading scale: UG
Assessment: Written and oral examinations and the successfully completed role as student examiner. The student must pass all parts of the degree project as specified in Content below, for the degree project as a whole to pass. The degree project report is a public document and no part may be classified information The examiner(s) may not take into account any advance information when assessing the report.

Admission

Admission requirements:

• The student may commence work on the degree project when he/she has completed at least 150 higher education credits that can be counted towards his/her degree. In addition, the following courses must have been completed successfully: VB054 Fire Engineering Risk Evaluation and VBR082 Active Systems. Exemptions from these requirements can only be given by the Educational Committee and only in exceptional circumstances. In order to commence work on the degree project, the student must demonstrate appropriate knowledge in the field of study covered by the project. It is the responsibility of the examiner(s) to ensure that this requirement is satisfied before work on the degree project can begin.

Reading list

• Ejvegård, R: Vetenskaplig metod. (Scientific Method) Studentlitteratur AB 2003. ISBN: 91-44-02763-X
• Backman, J: Rapporter och uppsatser. (Reports and Essays) Studentlitteratur AB 1998. ISBN: 91-44-0417-6
• In addition, other literature and learning aids will be decided on separately by the supervisor and selected with due consideration to the nature of the degree project assignment.

Contact and other information

Examiner: The Head of Department appoints one or more Lecturers at Lund University to act as examiner(s) for each subject undertaken as a degree project. This means that all degree projects including those written by exchange students will be examined at Lund University. The examiner(s) decides (decide) on the grade to be awarded.
Further information: Before the student begins work on the degree project the examiner (s) has (have) to approve the assignment and appoint a supervisor who will provide continuous supervision throughout the work on the project. Supervision is designed to ensure that, among other things, it is possible for the student to complete the degree project within the space of 15 weeks of full-time study. The student can only request supervision for a period of no more than 15 months. A supervisor will be appointed from persons the examiner(s) deems (deem) suitable. The supervisor need not be a member of the academic staff of the Engineering Faculty. The examiner(s) is (are) not expected to provide the majority of the supervision. Notification of the degree project is to be made to the Student Services Centre before work on the project commences. The Student Services Centre checks that the student satisfies the requirements to commence work on the degree project. A copy of the final report of the degree project is filed in the departmental archives. Student Services will provide advice and directives concerning the role of a student examiner. Information about provisional regulations and regulations coming into force is given separately.