Course contents *

The course implements problem-based learning driven by projects where students plan, carry out, present, discuss, and review individual research projects. PhD students often participate in larger research projects and normally have challenges when it comes to identifying and formulating their own research problems which can be further investigated to produce results suitable for a conference or a journal paper. This course is intended to develop these skills. By identifying and addressing relevant research problems in parallel with other students, the students will learn advanced technology issues and become more familiar with various research methodologies. At the same time, they will become aware of many other aspects related to addressing research problems. The students will also develop their skills in presenting research work both orally and in writing, as well as regarding reviewing and discussing each others work.

Intended learning outcomes *

After completion of the course, the student should be able to:

o identify and select a relevant research problem and formulate research issue
o devise a suitable and structured scientific methodology for addressing the problem
o give examples of and describe relevant related work
o integrate learning from different sources into solutions to the problem
o review other research project work and give constructive feedback
o take feedback non-defensively and constructively
o make research presentations interesting and enjoyable to others
o apply correct and appropriate scientific writing
o identify and describe examples of sustainability aspects related to the topic
o demonstrate possibilities and limitations of the solution and reflect over its role in society

Course Disposition

This is a project-oriented course where the student carries out individual research work and regularly presents and discusses the work at meetings with other students and the teaching team. There are 10-15 2-hour bi-weekly course meetings throughout the course. The students will give short presentations of the different phases of the work, such as problem statement and methodology, related research, and progress of the technical work performed (design and implementation, simulations, performance evaluations, etc).
The course also includes review of technical work (e.g., design, code, modelling and simulation), peer reviews of written work and sessions when oral feedback is given by other students and the teaching team.
The final deliverable is a final presentation and an individual research paper which is submitted to a suitable conference or journal, with the student as the main author.

Specific prerequisites *

PhD students

Recommended prerequisites

A course in philosophy of science (such as IV3000) and/or a course in the art of doctoral research (such as IL3606), or similar.

Equipment

No information inserted

Literature

Forskningsartiklar

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

Grading scale *

P, F

Examination *

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

Opportunity to complete the requirements via supplementary examination

No information inserted

Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination

No information inserted

Examiner

Markus Hidell

Ethical approach *

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

Course web

Further information about the course can be found on the Course web at the link below. Information on the Course web will later be moved to this site.

Offered by

EECS/Communication Systems

Main field of study *

No information inserted

Education cycle *

Third cycle

Add-on studies

No information inserted

Contact

Peter Sjödin - psj@kth.se

Supplementary information

The examiner might need to put together a group of PhD supervisors to work as a teaching team during the course.