4 ECTS credits
120 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 1024069ANR for all students in the 1st semester at a (A) Bachelor - preliminary level.

Semester
1st semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Taught in
Dutch
Faculty
Faculteit Ingenieurswetenschappen
Department and involved faculties/organizations
Materials and Chemistry
Applied Physics and Photonics
Educational team
Heidi Ottevaere (course titular)
Tom Hauffman
Activities and contact hours
20 contact hours Lecture
30 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
8 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

Part: Measuring and experimenting
The lecture is structured around 2 themes: theory of measurement errors and metrology. Both topics are dealt with concisely at an introductory level, focusing on practical applications in various engineering disciplines. The section on error theory deals with the problems of measurement results and their processing, regardless of the method used to obtain the results. It essentially concerns: (1) accuracy determination on direct and indirect measurements, (2) statistical processing of directly and indirectly obtained results, (3) regression analysis.

Illustrations from the various disciplines are covered and online exercises and labs are performed to test the obtained theoretical knowledge.

The section on metrology is introduced with a discussion of physical quantities, dimension analysis, units and orders of magnitude.It then succinctly covers measurement methods, basic measuring instruments and various sensors. Practical experience with these measurement methods is the subject of the "experimental skills" package in the practical exercises. At the start of the practical sessions, there is also an introductory lesson on the risks associated with working with electricity (AREI - General Regulations on Electrical Installations).

 

Part: Communicating, reporting, presenting This part comprises 4 hours of lecture, in which the basic principles of written and oral reporting are explained: (1) written reporting: structure and content of a report and (2) oral reporting: structure and content of a presentation, preparation of slides, basic presentation techniques. In addition, 6h WPO are provided, in which students have to complete an assignment in an independent way. This involves preparing an engaging and scientifically based oral presentation around one of the 8 practical sessions offered in the section Measuring and Experimenting and writing a report in a comprehensive scientific way on the first practical session within the section Measuring and Experimenting.

Course material
Course text (Required) : Ingenieursvaardigheden, Wiskundige Technieken, S. Caenepeel, VUB, 2220170009445, 2022
Course text (Required) : Ingenieursvaardigheden, Meten en experimenteren, H. Ottevaere, VUB, 2220170000268, 2016
Digital course material (Required) : Handleiding voor de practica Meten en experimenteren, H. Ottevaere
Digital course material (Required) : PowerPoint presentaties Meten en experimenteren, Canvas
Digital course material (Required) : PowerPoint presentaties Communiceren, rapporteren, presenteren, Canvas
Additional info

NA

Learning Outcomes

General competencies

Part: Measurement and experimentation
This part helps engineering students build experimentation and research experience. This includes carefully planning and conducting an experiment, correctly analysing and processing the measurement results to arrive at appropriate decision making, reporting in an accurate and concise way the experiment in a scientifically sound manner.
During the supervised practicals, the student will apply the theory to 8 experiments from different courses in Engineering Sciences and will also be familiarised with basic measuring equipment. A manual for both lecture and practical sessions will be provided. It provides for self-study and self-assessment.

Part: Communicating, reporting, presenting
The objective of this part of the study section is to teach students the skills of written and oral reporting. The course provides guidance for fulfilling reporting assignments in their further careers.

In other words, the objectives and learning outcomes described above for this introductory study component meet the Dublin descriptors for a bachelor's degree programme, i.e. building up knowledge and insight with ASO/TSO as a basis, learning to apply knowledge and insight, developing scientific judgement, developing communication skills and learning skills, and this at entry level.

 

 

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 15% of the final mark.
Written Exam determines 45% of the final mark.
Practical Exam determines 30% of the final mark.
Other Exam determines 10% of the final mark.

Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • oral presentation CRP with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 15% of the final mark.

Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • written exam theory with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 45% of the final mark.

Within the Practical Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • lab & tech. reports with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 30% of the final mark.

Within the Other Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • online exercises with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 10% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

Obtaining a final score for the study part implies taking part in all partial tests. Not taking part in a subtest implies absence from the entire exam. One can only pass Science Lab if one has obtained at least 8/20 for the different subtests (M&E HOC, M&E WPO, CRP presentation). If this is not met, the maximum final mark that can be obtained for Science Lab is 8/20. 

Part M&E: Measurement and experimentation
1st session: written evaluation HOC measurement errors and metrology (closed book - 45%) + assessment practical exercises (reports and lab work - 30%) + online exercises and labs (10% or 2.5% per part)
2nd session : written exam HOC measurement errors and metrology (closed book - 45%) + assessment practical exercises (reports and lab work - 30%) (this WPO part is taken over from first session) + online exercises and labs (10% or 2.5% per section)

Part CRP: Communicating, reporting, presenting
1st and 2nd sessions: assessment is based on the oral presentation (15%) on one of the practical sessions

Partial transfer of the score for one of the main parts (M&E HOC, M&E WPO, M&E online exercises/labs, CRP presentation) to the 2nd session or to the next academic year is allowed from 10/20 onwards, provided that all the partial exams were taken.


An unjustified absence of 25% or more per M&E WPO part, gives rise to a score 0/20 in the examination evaluation of that part. Before the practicals of Measuring and Experimenting can be started, the student must have taken and passed the introductory lesson on electricity-related risks. Not handing in the online assignments (exercises and labs) results in a 0 for the not handed-in part.

To pass the CRP section, all students must take a compulsory language test during the WPOs for this subject. Participation in the WPOs is also compulsory. Students scoring ≤60% on the languague test should contact ACTO and follow the suggested remedial course. Illegal absence from any of the remedial sessions will result in the score 'FAILED' for CRP.

 

 

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Bachelor of Engineering: Mechanical and Electrotechnical Engineering (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Engineering: Civil Engineering (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Engineering: Chemistry and Materials (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Engineering: Electronics and Information Technology (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Engineering: Electronics and Information Technology Profile Profile Computer Science (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Engineering: Startplan (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Engineering: Biomedical Engineering (only offered in Dutch)