Valid from: Spring 2014
Decided by: FN3/Per Tunestål
Date of establishment: 2014-10-30
Division: Product development
Course type: Third-cycle course
Teaching languages: English, Swedish
The aim of the course is to provide students with basic understanding, knowledge and insights with regard to the most common process and organisation models, methods and techniques within the area of product development. Most of the time, Undergraduate teaching in product development usually focuses on one methodology and its tools, aiming to provide students with understanding and skills within this field, but it is insufficient for students who want to conduct research within the area. In contrast to other subjects, product development is characterised by widely different perspectives and theories and it is necessary to be informed about the variety, scope and shortcomings of existing methods, techniques and processes to be able to understand published research and develop new methods. The present course provides students with broader knowledge and a critical approach to product development models and the theories on which they are based.
Knowledge and Understanding
For a passing grade the doctoral student must
Competences and Skills
For a passing grade the doctoral student must
Judgement and Approach
For a passing grade the doctoral student must critically reflect on and propose improvements to existing theories, models or conceptual frames within the area.
Each student will be provided with a selection of basic references. The focus is on physical, engineered products, but not solely on the technical aspects of product developement. The references are either standard texts within the area, i.e. syntheses of relevant research, or studies that critically discuss these standard texts. Several texts should differ considerably from the knowledge acquired by students in previous studies and enable a broader perspective. In consultation with the supervisor, the student is to select 5–7 of the references proposed in the reference list. In exceptional cases, students may select references not included on the list. For each text or set of texts, the student is to orally report to the main supervisor or a suitable person appointed by the main supervisor, the most important elements of the text or set of texts and possibly to position the text/s with regards to other references. The oral reports are compulsory but not assessed. After a certain number of reports, the principal supervisor or person appointed by the principal supervisor is to decide together with the student on a certain area of specialisation, possibly linked to the student’s thesis project, which is to be pursued by the student and reported at a public seminar. The student will be assessed on the basis of this seminar.
The student is to select 5–7 titles in the list of references in consultation with the principal supervisor. In exceptional cases, the student in consultation with the supervisor may select the titles required to complete the assignment.
Type of instruction: Self-study literature review
Examination format: Seminars given by participants
Grading scale: Failed, pass
Examiner:
Assumed prior knowledge: General knowledge of product development corresponding to that acquired for an MSc in Mechanical Engineering and experience of a product development/construction project.
Course coordinator: Robert Bjärnemo
Course coordinators: