Course syllabus for Introduction to mechanical engineering

The course syllabus contains changes
See changes

Course syllabus adopted 2021-02-18 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameIngenjörsmetodik
  • CodeMMF176
  • Credits7 Credits
  • OwnerTKMAS
  • Education cycleFirst-cycle
  • Main field of studyMechanical Engineering
  • ThemeEnvironment 0.5 c
  • DepartmentINDUSTRIAL AND MATERIALS SCIENCE
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language Swedish
  • Application code 55151
  • Open for exchange studentsNo
  • Only students with the course round in the programme overview.

Credit distribution

0115 Examination 3 c
Grading: TH		 3 c
  • 15 Jan 2022 am J
  • 13 Apr 2022 am J
  • Contact examiner
0215 Project 4 c
Grading: TH		4 c

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for bachelor's level (first cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

The same as for the programme that owns the course.
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

Nothing over and above what is required for the study programme

Aim

The aim of the course is to develop basic skills in the application of engineering methods along with fundamental knowledge of machine elements and materials. After completion of the course, the student should be able to (in a group) solve design problems through a structured approach, and also be able to present the results orally and in writing.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

Design Methodology
  • Describe, explain and apply a design methodology for open-ended and unstructured design problems
Machine elements and materials
  • Identify and explain the mode of action of standard machine element and unique components that are part of a simple system
  • Combine different machine elements and unique components to form simple systems
  • Describe basic properties of the engineering materials woods, metals and plastic and also methods for processing and assembling them
  • Select suitable material for prototype construction
Modeling and machining work
  • Use machine tools in a secure and controlled manner
  • Use hand tools and simple machine tools to produce physical models
  • Use simple physical models of a design solution in order to learn more about the solution, as well as a presentation tool
  • Create CAD models and CAD drawings of a developed product
Information search
  • Understand the information stated in a patent
  • Know how patents are classified
  • Search for patents in patent databases
Oral and written communication
  • Compile and adapt material for a written report so that the report in a clear and coherent fashion describes a selected design solution
  • Write references to literature and patents according to the APA (American Psychology Association) guidelines
  • Give constructive feedback on other students¿ design reports
  • Plan and structure an oral presentation of a small design project
Group dynamics and self-reflection
  • Plan and conduct work in a group for a long period
  • Describe and explain common reasons for conflicts in groups and suggest actions if any of them should occur
  • Reflect about own experiences from group dynamics
Sustainable development, ethics and mechanical engineer's professional role
  • Describe and explain the concept of sustainable development and its link to product development
  • Relate to some key ethical concepts and theories in a discussion about ethical aspects of engineering systems and in situations in engineering work
  • Describe the contents of the Swedish engineers' code of honor
  • Analyze a design in order to evaluate the risks to humans and the environment and propose measures to minimize or eliminate risks
  • Describe some common professional roles for mechanical engineers

Content

The course constitutes of the following elements:
  • Design methodology is the course backbone and is supported and complemented by the other course elements. The main focus lies on the four basic process steps of problem formulation and requirements specification, searching for alternative solutions, evaluation of alternative solutions as well as further development of a selected solution. Other focus areas are sustainable development, engineering materials, risk management and ethical questions in their context. 
  • Knowledge of Machine elements complements the design methodology. Examples of machine elements to be focused on are power sources, axles, bearings and spur gears.
  • Skills in Modeling and machining work support the process steps of searching for and evaluation of alternative solutions. The course focus physical models in carton and common engineering materials, but digital models are also used.
  • The course element of Information search focus both defining keywords and searching in Chalmers library¿s patent databases.
  • The Oral and written communication focuses on presenting results and peer response activities.
  • Group dynamics and self-reflection focus on what affects how well a group functions as well as on understanding of the student's own behavior.

Organisation

The course content is introduced by lectures and exercises.

Knowledge and skills obtained are subsequently applied in a product development project.

The project is conducted in groups and focuses a real, open-ended and unstructured design problem, i.e. a problem which is not formulated and that may have several alternative solutions. The project result is presented orally and in writing and the courses ends with a written exam.

Literature

To be announced two weeks prior to course start, at the latest.

Examination including compulsory elements

A pass in the written exam, an approved project work and attendance at compulsory exercises and lectures are all required for a course final certificate. The final certificate constitutes the grade from a weighted combination of the grades for the project and for the written exam.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.

The course syllabus contains changes

  • Changes to examination:
    • 2022-07-14: Exam by department Changed to exam by department by Ola Isaksson
      [2022-08-18 3,0 hec, 0115] Given by dept