Course syllabus for Project in railway technology

Course syllabus adopted 2023-02-14 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameJärnvägstekniskt projekt
  • CodeMMS200
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerMPMOB
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyMechanical Engineering
  • DepartmentMECHANICS AND MARITIME SCIENCES
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 89135
  • Block schedule
  • Open for exchange studentsYes

Credit distribution

0121 Project 7.5 c
Grading: TH		 7.5 c

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second 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

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
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

Railway technology or equivalent.

Aim

The course should provide the student with an opportunity to apply knowledge in railway technology to operational problems. The learning environment is organized to promote practising of communication skills and developing experience on working in teams

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

  • critically, independently and creatively identify and formulate issues
  • master problems with open solutions spaces, which includes being able to handle uncertainties and limited information.
  • apply previously learned theory, methods of analyses and tools to handle industrial railway engineering problems.
  • tackle railway engineering problems in a holistic assessment that acknowledges aspects such as economy, logistics, environment etc
  • identify main implementation challenges
  • plan and carry out advanced tasks within specified time frames
  • show insight and ability to work in teams and collaborate in groups with different compositions
  • identify ethical aspects and discuss and judge their consequences
  • Analyze, make visible and problematize the importance of gender equality aspects in the development of vehicles, vessels and transport systems. 
  • Discuss and reflect on gender equality, equality and diversity based on the professional role as an engineer. 
  • give written and oral presentations of a larger technical investigation
  • master the project's specific goals
In relation to UN's sustainable development goals, the course relates to a reliable an efficient railway system, which is a key part of the societal infrastructure (in a very broad sense). This relates to most goals either directly (e.g. goals 9 and 12), or as means to achieve the goal (e.g. goals 1 and 2).

Content

The course is subdivided into two learning blocks, a shorter introductory block introducing project management, teamwork, engineering code of ethics, communication and project specific theory. The major block is project work in teams of 3–6 students to solve and report the specific project task.

Available project topics relate to the main theme of the railway track in Mobility Engineering: "Railway mechanics with focus on mechanical deterioration as a basis for asset management".

The students give project task preferences prior to the course start.

It is the intention that all projects are carried out in cooperation with the industry.

Organisation

Project work with supervision and integrated lectures on project management, teamwork and communication
The class is divided into project teams with 3–6 students. The intention is that each team will be divided in sub-teams working in parallel with different tasks within the project.

Literature

  • Evert Andersson, Mats Berg, Sebastian Stichel & Carlos Casanueva (2018) Rail systems and rail vehicles Part 1: Rail systems, KTH, Sweden.
  • Evert Andersson, Mats Berg, Sebastian Stichel & Carlos Casanueva (2018) Rail systems and rail vehicles Part 2: Rail vehicles, KTH, Sweden.
  • Additional hand-out material.

Examination including compulsory elements

Graded team deliverables and presentations including planning report (e.g. in the form of a report outline), oral presentation and opposition, and final report as well as graded individual contributions.

Individual grades are built up by 80% from team achievements and 20 % from individual contributions.

Team and individual feedback is provided in meetings with examiners

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.