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Blekinge Institute of Technology
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Revision: 2
Reg.no: BTH-4.1.14-0474-2022
Course syllabus
Virtual Prototyping
Virtual Prototyping
7.5 credits (7,5 högskolepoäng)
Course code: MT2578
Main field of study: Mechanical Engineering
Disciplinary domain: Technology
Education level: Second-cycle
Specialization: A1N - Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Language of instruction: English
Applies from: 2023-03-27
Approved: 2022-09-01
1. Descision
This course is established by Dean 2022-02-16. The course syllabus is approved by Head of Department of Mechanical Engineering 2022-09-01 and applies from 2023-03-27.
2. Entry requirements
Admission to the course requires 150 completed credits of which 60 credits from a MSc Engineering program in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent). In the 60 credits Product development methodology (Innovative and Sustainable Product Development 1/Design Thinking), minimum 6 credits and Computer Aided Design, minimum 5 credits (or equivalent) must be included.
3. Objective and content
3.1 Objective
The objective of the course is to learn how to use Virtual Prototyping (VP) to support design engineering activities and decision-making. The increasing complexity of products and systems requires that engineers already in early product development make several design choices whose impact can be difficult to predict and which can result in high costs and delays later in development. Designing innovative, interactive, and sustainable products often requires engineers and customers to explore both the problem space and solution space together. Traditionally, this is an expensive and time-consuming activity that requires the development of physical prototypes to test and compare design alternatives. Yet there is a limit to both variability and timeliness in this exploration. With the advent of new technologies and computing capacity, mixed reality tools offer the opportunity to experience and validate solutions, evaluate their effectiveness, and anticipate possible errors and side effects. However, their use is not trivial: it requires expertise in the use of prototyping software and hardware and knowledge of the specific application.
The overall goal with the course is to give the students an overview of VP tools, methods, and background, also through experience in planning and implementing a VP case study to support decision-making in product development. Students will develop insights and skills to make their product development more efficient and effective while improving sustainability aspects. In addition, students experience the widened range of factors traditionally prioritized in engineering disciplines.
3.2 Content
- The course content includes theoretical and practical element
- Tools for VP, platforms and devices, use and integration (main features, interfaces, scripting elements)
- VP technologies and tools; their advantages and drawbacks, history and current use in the industry
- Human factors to consider in the design and prototyping of interactive systems, perceptual and cognitive aspects
- How to setup and plan a whole VP activity, from investigation and definition of needs and requirements to prototype development and testing
4. Learning outcomes
The following learning outcomes are examined in the course:
4.1. Knowledge and understanding
On completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- Describe the general role of VP activities in a product development process, including strategic and operational advantages and limitations, tools, and strategies
- Provide an overview of VP technologies, their potential and drawbacks, in the assessment of different design and engineering aspects
- Show awareness of human interaction aspects (e.g., sensory, and cognitive factors) involved in VP activities and work in multidisciplinary teams
4.2. Competence and skills
On completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- Use and integrate different VP tools and technologies in an engineering design context
- Design and implement virtual prototypes for testing and evaluation considering technical, functional, and human aspects
- Use VP demo as a communication media to support and discuss engineering design decisions, integrated with additional written and visual documentation.
4.3. Judgement and approach
On completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- Select and justify the use of specific VP tools, technologies, and strategies depending on case study requirements (e.g., industrial/research context, aim/type of product/system)
- Plan and implement VP design and testing activities, understand and communicate results, compare alternative solutions, and draw conclusions to support decision-making in product development
5. Learning activities
Learning activities include traditional lectures as well as active learning:
• Theoretical classes
• VP tools tutorials (step-by-step approach) and problem-based exercises
• Assignments and finaal group project (research investigation, prototype development and demo, preparing reports and presentations)
• Presenting results and limitations, describing methods and outcomes, sharing lessons learned and providing feedback on others’ work
6. Assessment and grading
Modes of examinations of the course
| Code | Module | Credit | Grade |
| 2305 | Project | 3.5 credits | AF |
| 2315 | On-campus examination | 2.5 credits | AF |
| 2325 | Written Assignment | 1.5 credits | AF |
The course will be graded A Excellent, B Very good, C Good, D Satisfactory, E Sufficient, FX Failed result, a little more work required, F Fail.
The information before a course occasion states the assessment criteria and make explicit in which modes of examination that the learning outcomes are assessed.
An examiner can, after consulting the Disability Advisor at BTH, decide on a customized examination form for a student with a long-term disability to be provided with an examination equivalent to one given to a student who is not disabled.
7. Course evaluation
The course evaluation should be carried out in line with BTH:s course evaluation template and process.
8. Restrictions regarding degree
The course can form part of a degree but not together with another course the content of which completely or partly corresponds with the contents of this course.
9. Course literature and other materials of instruction
Slides (reference literature will be included)
Online documentation (e.g., Unity 3D website)
This is not a legal document. If you would like a copy of the legal decision regarding this course plan, contact the registrar at Blekinge Institute of Technology.