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PROJ. ”APPLIED MECHANICS” PETER FOLKOW Background/Introduction Applied Mechanics Specialized tracks: Computational solid mechanics Fluid dynamics Structural dynamics First year: Q1: Mechanics of solids and fluids (compulsory) Computations in mechanics (compulsory) Q2-Q3: Courses from the tracks Q4: Project course (compulsory) Automotive Engineering Specialized tracks: Powertrain Vehicle dynamics Safety First year: Q1: Introduction to automotive engineering (compulsory) Automotive prime movers (compulsory) Q2: Vehicle dynamics (compulsory) Passive safety (compulsory) Q3-Q4: Courses from the tracks Applied Mechanics Specialized tracks: Computational solid mechanics Fluid dynamics Structural dynamics First year: Q1: Mechanics of solids and fluids (compulsory) Computations in mechanics (compulsory) Q2-Q3: Courses from the tracks Q4: Project course (compulsory) Automotive Engineering Specialized tracks: Powertrain Vehicle dynamics Safety First year: Q1: Introduction to automotive engineering (compulsory) Automotive prime movers (compulsory) Q2: Vehicle dynamics (compulsory) Passive safety (compulsory) Q3-Q4: Courses from the tracks Master program involved Aim/Goal Outlook (international/national) Evaluation-Quality assurance Contacts http://www.chem.chalmers.se/impact/index.htm Peoples involved Methods Aim/Goal Expected results The department of Applied Mechanics started in 2005 as a merging of three former departments: Machine and vehicle design Technical mechanics Thermo and fluid dynamics At the time of the merging, two international masters programs existed at the new department: Automotive Engineering (formerly hosted by Machine and vehicle design) Turbulence (formerly hosted by Thermo and fluid dynamics) In the new application round for international masters programs, the department applied for three separate programs representing the three former departments: Automotive Engineering, Fluid mechanics, Solid mechanics The two last programs was combined to one program: Applied Mechanics At present, the department hosts two masters program: Applied Mechanics Automotive Engineering The programs have been well received, both from academy and industry. Applied Mechanics: Combination of fluid and solid mechanics is rarely found in other masters programs, both national and international. Industry welcomes engineers having skills in both fields. Automotive Engineering: Programs specialized towards automotive industry are rarely found, both national and international. Vehicle industry welcomes engineers having skills in the automotive field There are extensive course developments. In most cases entirely new courses, in some cases completely/partially new course materials. Special activities to help the students with insufficient prerequisites. The courses start from a fairly basic level. Complementary course materials and special classes are provided in some cases. All courses are developed considering the main theme of the program plan. Established connections between related courses. The teachers involved are well-informed on the aims, ideas and plans of both the program and the different tracks. The teachers involved are well-informed on the adjacent courses (both courses with similar subject and courses that run in parallel). The project courses ensure that students are able to apply theoretical knowledge practically. The project courses ensure that students are able to combine skills adopted from different areas. The students are trained to work in groups in the project courses. Discussions between the project leader and the program coordinators concerning the project: goals, plans, activities, evaluations. Initial one-day seminar for each program where first year teachers present their courses, especially the planned new compulsory courses. Discussions among teachers, program coordinator and project leader about subjects related to the project. Several formal and informal meetings among teachers, especially coupled to the compulsory courses. Questionnaire related to the project are sent to and answered by the teachers responsible for the compulsory courses. Half-day seminar for each track. Extensive presentation of the new compulsory courses. Discussions among teachers, program coordinators and project leader about questions related to the project, especially feedback from the questionnaire. Outcomes from the several meetings reported under "Methods", where the project leader participated. Results from the questionnaire reported under "Methods". Final questionnaire to the responsible teachers Comments from the course evaluations. Project leader: Peter Folkow, peter.folkow@chalmers.se Program coordinators: Magnus Ekh (Applied Mechanics), magnus.ekh@chalmers.se Magnus Evertsson (Automotive Engineering), magnus.evertsson@chalmers.se Develop courses and course materials The starting compulsory courses (Q1 Applied Mechanics, Q1-Q2 Automotive Engineering) give a good base for each program as a whole and for the specialized tracks. These courses are adapted to support students with different backgrounds (especially international students, students from other masters programs) and ensure that a common lowest knowledge level is obtained. The project courses (Q4 Applied Mechanics, Q1-Q2 Automotive Engineering) ensure a good coupling between theory and experiments, as well as between the various fields within each program. Develop courses and course materials Applied Mechanics Q1: Mechanics of solids and fluids (40kkr) New course and course material Two responsible teachers; one for fluids, one for solids Q1: Computations in mechanics (40kkr) New course and course material Q4: Project course (100kkr) New course and course material Four responsible teachers; two for fluids (theory, experiment), two for solids (theory, experiment) Automotive Engineering Q1: Introduction to automotive engineering (45kkr) Reworked course and partially new course material Several teachers involved Q1: Automotive prime movers (45kkr) Reworked course Q2: Vehicle dynamics (45kkr) New course and new course material Q2: Passive safety (45kkr) New course and new course material Several teachers involved In Automotive Engineering, several projects run within these courses in cooperation with industry.