Study Guide

Objective

The course aims at developing student’s written and presentation skillsof scientific research and serve as support for the individual master's thesis.

Knowledge and understanding
The student is able to:
- review and comprehend scientific and technical documentation
- understand the basic principles of different research methods in engineering
- understand the principles of writing for academic purposes

Skills and abilities
The student is able to:
- communicate technical and scientific material
- plan and realize a research study

Evaluation ability and approach
The student is able to:
- perform relevant choices of methodology for a research study,
- demonstrate their ability to write and present for an academic audience

Content

The course introduces the students to the methodology of writing scientific technical documentation and articles. The contents of the course are reading and summarizing scientific articles and documentation, writing and presentation of technical material and work. Overview of qualitative and quantitative research methods in engineering.
- applied vs. basic research
- the role of the universities in the society
- scientific and methodological terminology
- the degree thesis at Novia
- ethics
- how to seek information

Location and time

Lectures held in spring term 2025. The course is carried out as online studies i.e., lectures tied to time but not to place.

Materials

- lecture notes
- material in Moodle

Teaching methods

Lectures, group and individual assignments, presentations and seminars.
Mandatory homework and participation in seminars.

The content and program of the course, working methods and requirements are described in more detail in the weekly plan, which is available in the Moodle course.

Exam schedules

By completing assignments (Assignment 1. Assignment 2, Research plan for thesis project (and idea seminar or intermediate/final seminar) during the course.

Student workload

Attendance at lectures is not mandatory.
Students are expected to attend each lecture in order to be able to complete the course.
The course has a steady load due to homework/assignments. Every assignment and lecture requires preparation.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

When all assignments are completed without remarks and the student has obtained a thorough understanding of the course content the course will be approved.

Further information

Students need a computer with dual screens, good internet connection, web cam and headset, to be able to participate in this course.

Evaluation scale

Approved/Rejected

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Students fulfill the objectives of the course, and in the relevant realization compulsory parts, at a satisfactory level.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Students fulfill the objectives of the course, and in the relevant realization compulsory parts, at a good level.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Students fulfill the objectives of the course, and in the relevant realization compulsory parts, at an excellent level.

Assessment methods and criteria

On the basis of completed assignments.

Assessment criteria, fail (0)

If failed to complete all assignments or if earned <50% of the maximum number of credits earned in the assignments, respectively.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

The course is graded according to a linear grading scale. 50% of the total number of credits are required to pass the course.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

The course is graded according to a linear grading scale. 50% of the total number of credits are required to pass the course.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The course is graded according to a linear grading scale. 50% of the total number of credits are required to pass the course.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Civil Engineering or equal