SIK512 Guided self-study

Contents and structure

The course intends for the student to be trained in analytical skills and literature surveys related to defined problem statements. This course can serve as preparation for the writing process of a master's thesis. An ongoing research project can define the origin of the problem statement. The topic might also be within technology or science needed for the planned writing of the master thesis. In these cases, the topic for the study will be engineering, which is well-suited for the master thesis. Experiments could be a part of the course.

This course provides students with practice in advanced technical report writing. It also aims to allow the student to develop an innovative idea or be a research assistant supervised by an active scholar. As a research assistant, the student shall take an active role and do a limited amount of work in an ongoing research project.

Learning Outcome

After completing the course, the student has the following learning outcome:

Knowledge

The student…

• has knowledge of research and development in the field
• knows how to update its knowledge, and knows current innovations
• has knowledge of research and development in the field.

Skills

The student…

• can select relevant literature to understand a specific subject better
• can structuring a technical report based on a defined problem
• can define suitable research methods for examining a technological problem statement
• can use relevant research tools for the actual problem limited to mathematical modelling and/or laboratory experiments if they are relevant to the problem statement
• can search in technological literature databases on well-defined problem statements

General competence

The student…

• can present specialised knowledge
• can reflect on their work and schedule tasks
• can identify solutions in the field and contribute to discussions related to the impact and significance of the solution
• can communicate their professional work
• can assess knowledge in the field
• knows when further expertise is necessary and where it can be found

Entry requirements

Successful completion of SIK506 Modelling of Fire Safety and SIK507 Evacuation, Theory and Modelling.

Teaching methods

The course is organised as an individual project carried out by the student under the guidance of a qualified researcher from the relevant department. The student and supervisor work together to define an appropriate task or project. Depending on the nature of the assignment, the student may engage in activities such as data collection, literature review, contributing to a scientific article, or working on a clearly defined research question. Students may identify a supervisor by contacting a researcher directly or by approaching the relevant department. The problem statement must be approved by both the supervisor and the course coordinator.

Compulsory learning activities

To hand in the final exam, the student needs to get approved:

• Problem statement: a short presentation of the subject
• Mid-term report: A short notice on the progress
• Final draft/version

Assessment

Course paper with adjusted oral examination, 45 minutes.

• The paper shall be written in English.
• The grade for the course paper may be adjusted up or down by a maximum of one grade after the oral examination.

Grading scale is A-F where F is fail.

Examination support material

Course paper: All aids available

Adjusting oral exam: All aids available

More about examination support material