MECH4201 Introduction to Mechatronics Emneplan

This course introduces the field of mechatronics, the intersection of mechanics and electronics. The course brings together control systems, electronic systems, mechanical systems, and computer science. Example applications are taken from different industries, with particular focus on systems in which all of these discilines closely interact.

The students will learn how contemporart challenges, such as climate crises, cybersecurity, demographic changes and others may affect their design choices. The students will also learn how mechatronics can contribute to more sustainable production processes by reducing energy consumption and improving productivity, as well as making industrial processes safer.

This course takes a hands-on approach with extensive laboratory work, where students will also learn about research ethics and academic writing.

Knowledge

The candidate

• can explain the basics of the field of mechatronics, with a particular focus on sensors and actuators
• can describe common methods in the mechatronics field, including how to obtain and process data from sensors, driver and control actuators
• can identify basic sustainability, safety, and ethics issues often encountered while working on mechatronics systems
• is familiar with the structure and composition of typical general scientific articles and reports in the field
• can recognize the writing styles used in research papers and reports, and can apply this knowledge to report data obtained
• can identify ethical issues typically encountered in research, like the correct use of references
• can use electronic reference tools and recognize different reference styles

Skills:

The candidate

• can find, analyze, deal critically with, and compare different sources of information to select appropriate sensors and actuators
• can design mechatronic systems in which sensors and actuators are connected to a microprocessor-based system
• can process sensor data, control actuators and implement basic control and automation algorithms in a simple mechatronic system using Python programming
• can apply common methods in the field wo work independently on practical and theoretical problems
• can apply relevant resources to clarify and find solutions to ethical, safety and sustainability issues in mechatronics
• can find peer reviewed scientific literature in literature databases.

General competence:

The candidate

• can conduct an independent mechatronics project from the planning stage to finished prototype testing
• can communicate the work and can master language and terminology of the mechatronic field
• can contribute to new thinking and innovation processes, with focus on sustainability and ethics.

Theory lectures and laboratory work.

None

The exam consist of three parts, all parts must be passed in order to pass the course:

1. Four individual laboratory reports (each 5-10 pages long) (this part counts 60 %)

2. Individual essay including a literature review and plans for a research project (10-15 pages long) (this parts counts 20%).

3. Oral examination (20 minutes) (this part counts 20%).

Part 1 and 2 of the exam can be appealed, part 3 of the exam cannot be appealed.

New/postponed exam:

In the event of a postponed examination in this course the exam may be held as an oral exam. Oral exams cannot be appealed.

In part 1 and 2 all materials are permitted; in part 3, none is allowed.

Graded scale A-F

Two internal examiners. External examiner is used periodically.