European Project Semester Oslo Spring 2013
Chapter 1 European Project Semester (EPS) 1.1 Introduction In a global economy with fast technological development and a vast number of consumers ready to buy new products, a lot of engineers will see their career paths include engineering product design. In a competitive world there will be great pressure to manufacture products that are of good quality and free of start-up problems at the time of market introduction. Product development will take place as an integrated process with other departments such as design, planning, production, sales and marketing. Because of internationalization and open labour markets many engineers will probably also work abroad or in international teams at a certain point in their careers. To educate engineering candidates capable of functioning in such an environment we now offer a semester that facilitates just the learning experience you need through the European Project Semester. 1.2 What is EPS? EPS is a programme offered to third year university/university college students. The main part of the programme consists of project work within your own project team. The project team includes 4-6 international students. During EPS you will also attend some classes, which are held by university professors from different countries. The courses are taught in English. EPS is created with engineering students in mind, but other students are also welcome (disciplines such as economics and management, marketing, architecture etc.) 1.3 EPS Structure The semester is roughly divided into two parts: A study programme comprising short intensive courses A project-based period developing student initiative and individual creativity. Here teams of four to six students work together on multidisciplinary projects designed to develop their co-operation and communication skills. A course in the Norwegian language, although not compulsory, has also become a part of the program and offers additional credits Subjects included in the study program to be found in chapter two of this course book. 1.4 Academic recognition Universities which would like to send students on a European Project Semester (EPS) should ensure that the EPS is an acknowledged part of their curriculum. Please request further details if necessary. The semester is a 30-credit unit course according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). The project work involved amounts to 20 credit units and short intensive courses cover the remaining points. 1.5 The European Credit Transfer System ECTS is a decentralised system based upon the principle of mutual trust and confidence
between the participating higher education institutions. The few rules of ECTS, concerning Information (on courses available), Agreement (between the home and host institutions) and the Use of Credit Points (to indicate student workload) are set out to reinforce this mutual trust and confidence. Each Faculty /Study Programme will describe the courses it offers not only in terms of content but also by assigning ECTS credits to each course. ECTS is a course credit system based on student workload. Student workload involves lectures, practical training and independent study. It includes all work needed to prepare for an examination. The basic allocation of academic credits will be 60 ECTS credits per year of study or 30 ECTS credits per semester or 20 ECTS credits per trimester / term. Additional 5 credits are allocated for the Norwegian course, which most of the students easily combine with the EPS. Credits are awarded only when the course has been completed and the student has passed all required examinations. The students participating in EPS will receive full credit for all academic work successfully carried out at any of the partner institutions, and they will be able to transfer these academic credits from one participating institution to another as long as there is prior agreement between the institutions involved. 1.6 and supervision An academic supervisor will be assigned to each project group. He/she is responsible for the day-to-day running of the project. The main contribution of the supervisor is to help the students understand the content of their project and ensure that they are making progress. The supervisor meets regularly with the project team members. Companies involved are consulted when needed. The group project work has to be completed within the time schedule. In addition to the content of the project report (the product), great attention will be paid to the students abilities to plan, delegate, communicate and co-operate as responsible team members towards a common objective (the process). EPS is divided into two parts, 1. Supporting courses, and 2. The project. The supporting courses will be assessed by participation/attendance and some in-course assignments. Students need an attendance rate of 80% to pass the 10 ECTS-credit supporting courses. The project counts for 20 ECTS credits. will be based on both individual and group efforts. Each group member takes part in an oral examination where they present a part of the project. The presentation is later followed by an oral examination. The written report is assessed with regard to both technical value and communication value. In addition the group process will count towards the final grade.
1. Individual project execution (teamwork) and oral presentations constitute 50% of total - Project exe. 35%, oral presentation 15% 2. Team submission of project report which details the proposed design solution to the problem given (50%) - Technical contents 35%, Communication value 15% Each student will be individually graded for his or her participation in the 20 credit EPSproject according to the Norwegian marking scale A-F. A (excellent) E (sufficient) are all passable grades. An F will mean you have failed the course.
Chapter 2 European Project Semester (EPS) Courses The following subjects are included in the programme: English Language and Communication Teambuilding Environmental subjects Project Planning and Management Engineering Project Design Cross-cultural Business Behaviour Industrial Project Social and Cultural Activities Norwegian Language and Culture (optional) The supporting courses amount to a total of 10 ECTS-credits. Most of these are assessed by attendance and some by smaller assignments. To pass the supporting courses students must have an attendance rate of at least 80% (in addition to a pass grade on any course specific assignments). Please note that the students are not graded separately in each supporting course. Students that fail to pass the supporting courses will be graded separately in the 20 ECTScredits Industrial Project (Marking scale A-F). Environmental subjects
Teacher Duane Abada, Dean of Engineering South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, USA Understanding of various environmental subjects in relation to engineering activities and the projects. The following themes are included: Steps in a rational decision process What is a decision problem? Decision makers, stakeholders and decision frames The decision goal hierarchy and decision alternatives Consequence analysis Utility functions and preferences. Relationships with attitudes to risks. Ranking the alternatives Environmental engineering topics 1) solid waste pollution, 2) air pollution, 3) water pollution. International perspective to environmental subjects. Attitudes and social structure as it relates to environmental subjects. Teaching method Lecture, interactive seminar To be announced
English language and communication skills Teacher To be announced Aim To develop the students English skills to enable them to communicate confidently both orally and in writing in an international business environment Topics Emphasis on report writing, presentations and negotiations Teaching methods Interactive classes, individual and group exercises, written assignments. Individual coaching Material provided by the course tutor The intensive language course: Attendance and in-course assignments: Pass/Fail The project report and oral presentation: Graded; English language skills and communication skills in general
Teambuilding Teacher Professor David Swetnam, United Kingdom 1. Apply different teambuilding techniques 2. Understand what teamwork is about 3. Understand own attitude of group work 4. Understand the meaning of Integrated Engineering 1. To select team members in accordance with the BELBIN theory 2. To explain the meaning of diversity of roles in a team 3. To explain cognitive and political problems in a team 4. To explain and apply the characteristics of the 8 BELBIN roles 5. To explain the characteristics of how teams grow 6. To explain the concept of Integrated Engineering Teaching method Individual exercise, lectures, group exercise, seminar EPS definition of Teamwork. Cognitive and political problems in a team. Group size and group effectiveness. Teambuilding techniques (BELBIN). Integrated Engineering. Group project work in engineering product design. Group attitude test. How do teams grow? How to prepare and run/chair a meeting. Attendance and course exercises BELBIN test
Systematic Innovation/Engineering Product Design Teacher Professor David Swetnam, United Kingdom 1. Understanding of a range of classic problem-solving approaches in the context of engineering design. 2. Apply a classic creative problem solving approach in a group environment. 3. Introduce the systematic innovation approaches of TRIZ and TOC. 4. Enable the groups selectively apply one of these approaches to their project. 5. Use the TOC approach to teambuilding. 1. Selectively apply basic engineering design tools. 2. Apply the basic classical tools for creative problem solving. 3. Explain the main elements of TRIZ and TOC. 4. Selectively apply the TRIZ and TOC tools to their project. Generic educational learning outcomes: Develop their problem-solving skills. Work more effectively as a team member. Develop their creative thinking skills. Teaching method Lectures, seminars and group work. Individual and group exercises. Tutorial sessions Engineering design tools: Quality Function Deployment (QFD), functional modelling, function analysis, Value Engineering. Classical creative approaches: Lateral thinking, Brainstorming, Morphological Charting Controlled Convergence and Concept Selection. TRIZ (Russian): The theory of Inventive Problem Solving; Ideality, resources, contradiction analysis, functional modelling. TOC: The theory of Constraints Thinking Process; Goal focused, constraints (physical, policy, paradigm), Evaporating Clouds(Conflict Resolution Diagrams), Effect-cause-effect analysis. TOC teambuilding: Develop and apply a solution to major teambuilding problems. Attendance One group exercise. Pass/Fail
Communicating, Negotiating and Managing Across Cultures Teacher Richard R. Gesteland, USA 1. Provide students with the increased knowledge and skills they will need to operate effectively in today s competitive global marketplace. 2. Increase students awareness and appreciation of cultural similarities and differences. 1. Introduce students to the communication, negotiation and management styles employed by their future international engineering and business contacts. 2. Provide an understanding of the key elements which differentiate business cultures around the world. 3. Demonstrate proven ways of communicating, negotiating and managing globally despite differences in languages, customs and business practices. Teaching Method The teaching method is practical and highly interactive, employing numerous examples and actual cases from the real world of international management. Course materials (handouts) Required reading: Gesteland, Richard R: Cross-Cultural Business Behavior: Universitetsforlaget 2005. Attendance and participation
Industrial Project Teacher Project Spesific Supervisors(s) OUC and Industry 1. To train students in teamwork and emphasize realistic and real life situations. 2. To demonstrate the ability to use modern design tools and techniques. 3. To demonstrate the ability to plan and run a team based project. 4. To show the ability to communicate clearly in writing (a proper project report) as well as by other means. The work has to be completed within the time schedule. Great attention is paid to the ability to plan, delegate, communicate and co-operate as a team towards a common objective. After completing the course, the student should be able to: 1. Contribute actively as an individual in group work. 2. Work alone, independent of the group, yet in context and co-operation with the team. 3. Distinguish between competition and co-operation. 4. Appreciate and understand that established and acknowledged teamwork is a committed contract. 5. Understand the professional responsibilities of the design engineer in context with different industries nationally as well as in an international society. 6. To appreciate the influences that government and other authorities have or dictate through legislation, standards or other means. 7. To demonstrate understanding and appreciation of safety, product liability, environmental matters and other related issues. Teaching method Lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical study exercises and design project, including independent information gathering, investigation and individual presentat An Engineering Design and Business Project with emphasis on Professional Practice. The text and documents which are appropriate to the conduct of the project will be determined by each student in conclusion with his or her tutor. Group Project Report and Oral exam/presentation. Mark according to the Norwegian/ECTS marking scale A-F.
Project Management and Project Work Teacher To be announced The students should be able to: 1. Plan, organize, and execute a small engineering project as a well-functioning international team. 2. Monitor the progress of the project, modify plans, and improve organization, methods, and team collaboration in the light of experience. 1. The students should be able to explain the basic challenges of project management and team-based project work as well as concepts, tools, and techniques that may be used to meet these challenges. 2. The students should be able to plan and organize a project by means of appropriate tools and techniques, including among others MicroSoft Project (or a similar program) and work breakdown structures (WBS). 3. Using suitable tools and techniques, the students should be able to review progress and implement appropriate corrective actions, in view of deviations from the plan or changes in conditions. Teaching Method Lectures, project work in international teams, 3 scheduled project review meetings with course tutor and project tutor, other meetings or electronic contacts with course tutor or project tutor depending on need Main course book: Project Management Memory Jogger. A Pocket Guide for Project Teams, GOAL/QPC, Salem, NH, 1997. Microsoft Project 2010 (or similar project management software, e.g. Open Workbench). Course material that may be accessed and downloaded using the net-based learning platform Fronter. Project status reports Final project report Attendance Contribution to the process and the products (quality and quantity)
Social and cultural activities Teacher Organised by OUC International Office Introduce students to Norwegian culture and society Students gain an insight in the Norwegian culture and society Teaching method Excursions and other activities mainly on Fridays None Attendance not mandatory but recommended
Norwegian language and culture Coordinator To be announced The course is meant for foreign students and will introduce them to some main aspects of Norwegian language and culture. The objective of the course is to enable the students to use and understand Norwegian in some common social contexts. Teaching method Lectures, workshop, seminars, individual and group exercises, excursions, written assignments, roleplaying Handouts Attendance (75%) Written assignments (obligatory) 3-hour written exam. Norwegian marking scale A-F. This course is offered to all foreign students. The workload will amount to 5 ECTS credits in addition to the regular and mandatory EPS courses