Major Applied Research Study (9073)
  
Coordinating lecturer :Prof. dr. Bart VERMANG 
  
Member of the teaching team :dr. Bart DREESEN 

Language of instruction : English
Credits: 20,0
  
Period: semester 1 (20sp) OR semester 2 (20sp)
  
2nd Chance Exam1: Yes
  
Final grade2: Numerical
 
Exam contract: not possible
 
Sequentiality
 
   No sequentiality

Prerequisites

The student possesses advanced knowledge in the specific engineering field related to the project.

The student can work accurately and precisely in a lab, with proper attention to SHE (safety, health, environment).

The student is able to select analytical and/or processing techniques.

The student is able to interpret data and write a scientific report.


Content

The course comprises an individual research project that includes the application of the latest technologies and techniques, examining the latest scientific findings and utilising these findings in a domain-specific, creative manner. In addition, the project provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate not only their mastery of these techniques and technologies, but also their ability to conceive, plan, and execute them as an integrated part of a methodological and project-oriented sequence of actions.

The project is an independent research conducted at academic level. It aims to expand existing technologies and application-oriented developments, including

  • the formulation and testing of innovative hypotheses,
  • conducting innovative studies or designs,
  • creating innovative solutions for domain-specific problems.

The student is guided by a supervisor. The actual research question is determined in consultation with the supervisor, taking into account the knowledge and preferences of the student.

Support sessions are organised regarding research methodology and communication (master's thesis seminar).

Research on our campus is applied based on actual needs, from companies and organisations in diverse sectors, as well as insights from our research groups. In this way, our research groups help build the bridge between fundamental research and societal needs, between theoretical studies, proof of concepts, and actual implementations in practice.

The research capacity is bundled in strongly application-oriented research spearheads, listed below and originating from different research groups of both UHasselt and KU Leuven.

Chemical engineering:

  • Miniaturisation and intensification of chemical production processes and valorisation of waste products. Technologies include the use of ultrasound, green chemicals, continuous reactors, photochemistry and artificial intelligence
  • Design and analysis of sustainable polymers & Influence of material properties in polymer processing
  • Optimisation of packaging materials with topics such as biopolymer processing, nanotechnology, biodegradability, sealing, smart packaging

More information on ongoing research:

Civil engineering:

  • Structural analysis of hybrid and composite structures
  • Finite element modelling of structural and material failure
  • Experimental testing of structures and structural elements 
  • Road design and road ergonomics

More information on ongoing research:


Organisational and teaching methods
Organisational methods  
Individual coaching session ✔  
Project ✔  
Teaching methods  
Discussion/debate ✔  
Homework ✔  
Presentation ✔  
Report ✔  


Evaluation

Semester 1 (20,00sp)

Evaluation method
Other evaluation method during teaching period70 %
Other
Transfer of partial marks within the academic year✔
Conditions transfer of partial marks within the academic yearThe supervisor of the project decides whether certain marks can be maintained for the retake evaluation.
Oral exam30 %
Transfer of partial marks within the academic year✔
Conditions transfer of partial marks within the academic yearThe supervisor of the project decides whether certain marks can be maintained for the retake evaluation.
Debat✔
Presentation✔
Additional information

You can subscribe for this course in the winter or spring semester. The evaluation format and criteria remain identical for both semesters.

The evaluation of the project encompasses various aspects assessed by different individuals.

1 Continuous evaluation (70%)

The supervisor(s) of the project evaluate (=60%):

  • Progress, process, methodology and result 

The final evaluation is based on the feedback moments during the project. The assessment includes important aspects such as problem statement and elaboration, working independently, scientific attitude, regularity, commitment and professional behaviour.

  • Written report

Important aspects for the evaluation include content, scientific level, format, novelty, language.

The supervisors summarise the result of the evaluation of the above aspects in a standardised evaluation form.

The lecturer of the Master Thesis Seminar evaluates (10%): 

  • the assignments for written communication related to the project, including research design, abstract, and scientific poster.

2 Oral exam (30%)

An independent jury evaluates:

  • Oral presentation and defence

The jury of experts (professors, supervisors, scientists, experts of the industry, etc.) assesses the presentation and defence, focusing on important aspects such as content, interaction, scientific level, format, clarity, language, proper use of didactic equipment, and responding to questions.

The jury summarises the result of the evaluation of the above aspects in a standardised evaluation form.

FINAL MARK

The final mark is a numerical grade out of 20, taking into account all the above aspects.

Second examination period

Evaluation second examination opportunity different from first examination opprt
No
Explanation (English)The supervisor of the project decides whether certain marks can be
maintained for the retake evaluation.
 

Remarks
 

CHOICE OF THE RESEARCH PROJECT

The student determines the actual research project in consultation with his supervisor before the start of the semester.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The student:

1 Thinks and acts professionally with an appropriate engineering attitude and continuous focus on personal development; communicates effectively, cooperates constructively, acts responsibly in context, and is aware of societal and environmental impact.

Sub-learning outcomes:
1.1 Demonstrates a professional attitude: realism, autonomy, efficiency and task-orientation.
1.2 Communicates clearly and effectively in oral, written, and graphical forms with relevant stakeholders, using appropriate language registers, technical terminology, and modern presentation tools.
1.3 Produces high-quality documentation: prepares a well-structured report, progress reports, and a scientific poster; can describe the project in decent English.
1.4 Engages in constructive professional discussions and defends the project outcomes convincingly.
1.5 Functions constructively and responsibly as a member of a multidisciplinary (and potentially international) team, taking initiative and responsibility as appropriate.
1.6 Considers economic, ethical, ecological, health, safety, sustainability, and international factors in decisions and solutions.
1.7 Demonstrates awareness of the broader impact of engineering work on the environment and society.
1.8 Reflects critically on personal knowledge, skills, and performance, situating the project in a wider context and proposing improvements or alternatives when appropriate.

2 Possesses and applies a comprehensive set of discipline-specific and interdisciplinary knowledge and skills to creatively conceptualise, plan, execute, analyse, and implement a research or design project with a significant research and/or innovation component.

Sub-learning outcomes:
2.1 Deepens and broadens relevant domain-specific and cross-disciplinary knowledge and insight into basic concepts, structures, methods, and the coherence of the field.
2.2 Formulates research questions, objectives, and a clear project plan (e.g., detailed Gantt chart) and carries out project-based work autonomously and systematically, adapting plans where needed.
2.3 Gathers, measures, and interprets scientific and technical information accurately and critically; conducts a literature review and references sources correctly.
2.4 Analyses complex problems thoroughly, structures them logically, breaks them down into sub-problems, and identifies key constraints and preconditions.
2.5 Selects adequate, scientifically valid, and innovative methods to solve problems or design solutions in the given context.
2.6 Uses selected methods and tools to implement solutions or designs systematically, providing recommendations for practical implementation or further research, while considering practical, economic, ecological, safety, and sustainability factors.
2.7 Delivers results that are useful, applicable, and valuable for the client or organisation involved in the project.


Learning outcomes
  EC = learning outcomes      DC = partial outcomes      BC = evaluation criteria  
Offered inTolerance3
Exchange Programme Engineering Technology N



1   Education, Examination and Legal Position Regulations art.12.2, section 2.
2   Education, Examination and Legal Position Regulations art.15.1, section 3.
3   Education, Examination and Legal Position Regulations art.16.9, section 2.