12/28/2020 Programme syllabus - Mälardalens högskola

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Syllabus - Master's Programme in Intelligent
Embedded Systems

Programme code GST01

Valid from Autumn semester 2015

Show earlier/later versions of this education plan

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Decision instance The Faculty Board

Academy IDT

Registration number MDH 2.1.2-403/13

Ratified 2012-09-27

Revised 2014-11-19

Specific requirements A completed Bachelor's degree from an institution of higher

education of three years or more, equivalent to 180 credits, of
which at least 30 credits are within computer engineering,
computer science or electronics including programming
corresponding to 15 credits. At least 22,5 credits in
Mathematics/Applied Mathematics are required.

A TOEFL test result, with a minimum score of 575 with a TWE

score of at least 4.5 (PBT) or 90 with a TWE score of at least
20 (iBT) or an IELTS test result with an overall band score of
at least 6.5 and no band score below 5.5 or equivalent is
required.

About programme syllabus

The programme syllabus applies to the entire education period, starting with the academic
year and the semester you started your education. The programme syllabus contains goals
for the programme, contents and arrangement, but also requirements for special
qualifications, etc.

Outcomes
An overriding objective for the programme is to produce students, with spearhead competence
in Intelligent and Embedded Systems, who have a holistic view of system construction, and who
have a mastery of project management in groups of people with different competencies.

Knowledge and Understanding

On completion of the degree programme the student shall:

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demonstrate in-depth knowledge (“state of the art”) in the areas of real-time systems,
intelligent systems, along with hardware and software development of embedded systems,
demonstrate understanding and experience of industrial embedded systems (“state of the
practice”) and in-depth methodological knowledge of the development of intelligent embedded
systems,
demonstrate knowledge and understanding of fundamental design paradigms, architectures,
possibilities and challenges for embedded systems from both a software and hardware
perspective, and
demonstrate knowledge of the methods and tools required to satisfactorily carry out minor
and major project assignments within the subject.

Aptitudes and Accomplishments

On completion of the degree programme the student shall:

demonstrate the ability critically, independently and creatively to identify and formulate
problems,
demonstrate the ability critically and systematically to integrate knowledge and to analyse,
assess and deal with complex phenomena, problems and situations, even with limited
information,
demonstrate the ability to plan, and with adequate methods to carry out, advanced
assignments within given timescales and also to evaluate this work, and thereby contribute to
the development of knowledge,
demonstrate the ability, in national as well as international contexts, orally and in writing,
clearly to account for and discuss the conclusions arrived at, the knowledge and the arguments
which form the basis of these in dialogue with others,
demonstrate such skills as are required to participate in research and development work or
independently to work in any other advanced activity, and also
practically be able to apply the acquired theoretical knowledge to design, analyse and
implement an intelligent embedded real-time system.

Ability to Evaluate and Assess

On completion of the degree programme the student shall:

be able to take responsibility for his/her own knowledge development and demonstrate the
ability to identify his/her need of further knowledge,
demonstrate the ability to make assessments, within the main field of study and its
specialisation, with regard to relevant scientific, societal and ethical aspects, along with
demonstrating awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work, and also
demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of science, its role in society and the
responsibility of human beings for how this is used.

Language of instruction
The main language of instruction is English, which means that all teaching, course literature,
documentation, reporting etc. shall be in English.

Contents

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There are two clear parts of the programme: project-oriented learning in cooperation with
companies, and the range of theoretical courses required respectively. A large part of the
programme will be carried out in the form of problem-based learning within the framework of a
number of cutting-edge projects in cooperation with industry and the community. The project
component’s link to industry and the community is very strong, and is intended to prepare the
students for a working life outside the University. Participation from companies and
organisations within the project component can be more or less extensive, and can cover
everything from the formulation of relevant problems, mentorship, placement, degree project
places, through being a host company for one or more of the cutting-edge projects which will be
conducted within the programme, to “adopting” one of the programme students as its own.

To attain the required depth, however, a good deal of theoretical knowledge is required to solve
the problems facing the students. The programme contains courses within four areas:
1) Methodology – aims to give the students the necessary tools to carry out projects
satisfactorily, e.g. project work methodology, report methodology, along with knowledge of
methodology within the areas of measuring, testing or verification.
2) Embedded systems – gives specialised knowledge of embedded systems, such as for
example the development of time critical real-time applications, energy efficiency, testing and
debugging of embedded systems, asynchronous communication, and synchronisation in
distributed embedded systems.
3) Intelligent systems – gives basic knowledge of advanced sensor systems as well as
advanced decision-making and adaptivity in systems. The learning objectives in intelligent
systems include knowledge of metrology, signal processing, learning systems and adaptive
systems for dynamic environments.
4) Hardware gives basic knowledge of how hardware aspects set limits on, or open possibilities
for, realisation of embedded systems. The learning objectives in hardware include
understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of hardware solutions along with the
opportunities to make design decisions based on limited resources, resource efficiency and
considerations of price and performance.

Year 1
Computer Science:
Research Methods in the Natural Sciences and Engineering, 7.5 credits
Embedded Systems I, 7.5 credits
Embedded Systems II, 7.5 credits
Intelligent Systems, 7.5 credits
Project in Embedded Systems, 7.5 credits

Mathematics/Applied Mathematics:
Numerical Methods with MATLAB, 7.5 credits

Elective, 15 credits:
Computer Science:
Project in Intelligent Embedded Systems, 15 credits
Thesis for the Degree of Master of Science in Computer Science (60 credits) with Specialization
in Embedded Systems, 15 credits

Year 2
Computer Science:
Thesis for the Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) in Computer Science with
Specialization in Embedded Systems, 30 credits

Elective, 30 credits:
Computer Science:
Project in Advanced Embedded Systems, 30 credits

or

Computer Science:

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Safety Critical Systems, 7.5 credits

Industrial System Development, 7.5 credits
Software Engineering 1, 7.5 credits

Electronics:
Sensor Technique, 7.5 credits

Choices within the program

The programme consists of recommended courses. It is possible to end the programme after
one year, in which case a degree project (15 credits) is selected in semester two instead of the
project course. In the second year, courses within Computer Science and Electronics are
selected. The choice of courses can affect the possibility of fulfilling the degree requirements. If
other courses than those presented above are selected, this shall be done in consultation with
the programme coordinator to ensure the fulfilment of requirements for a degree. The students
are given the opportunity to read parts of the programme abroad (for a maximum of one
academic year), at one of the University’s partner universities which have corresponding
programmes in embedded systems. The courses are selected in consultation with the
programme coordinator and will be able to be counted towards a degree at Mälardalen
University, in the same way as corresponding courses at Mälardalen University.

University degree
The degree programme is so designed that the studies will lead towards fulfilment of the
requirements for the following degree(s):

Master of Science (120 credits) in Computer Science with Specialization in Embedded

Systems
Master of Science (60 credits) in Computer Science with Specialization in Embedded
Systems

If a student does not select courses in consultation with the programme

coordinator, or if a student chooses not to complete a certain course, the
choices made can affect the possibility of fulfilling the degree requirements.
For more information about degrees and degree requirements, consult the
local degree regulations which are published on the University website.

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