Advanced Project in Digital Advanced Manufacturing Engineering
Objectives
The Dissertation course unit culminates the training process leading to the Master’s degree in Advanced Digital Manufacturing Engineering.
Its main objective is to ensure that the student develops in-depth knowledge, being able to integrate and apply the competences acquired in technical and scientific contexts relevant to the field.
The dissertation, of a scientific nature, may focus on applied research or experimental development, carried out in a laboratory or industrial environment, addressing topics that contribute to the advancement of knowledge in Advanced Digital Manufacturing Engineering.
The work undertaken must demonstrate the achievement of these objectives, reflecting the student’s ability to conduct research, solve complex problems and present well-founded solutions. The dissertation defence aims to assess the student’s ability to communicate clearly and rigorously their conclusions, as well as the knowledge and reasoning that underpin them, both orally and in writing.
General characterization
Code
12860
Credits
30.0
Responsible teacher
José Manuel Cardoso Xavier
Hours
Weekly - Available soon
Total - Available soon
Teaching language
Inglês
Prerequisites
To undertake the Dissertation in the Master’s in Advanced Digital Manufacturing Engineering, students must meet the following requirements:
1. Completion of mandatory ECTS credits
Students must have successfully completed all required course units or obtained special permission from the master’s programme coordinator.
2. Definition and approval of the dissertation topic
The dissertation topic must be approved by the Scientific Committee of the Master’s programme and align with the course objectives and the field of Advanced Digital Manufacturing.
3. Supervision
The research work must be supervised by a PhD professor or researcher in the field. In specific cases, supervision may be conducted by a recognised expert approved by the DEMI Council.
4. Planning and methodology
Students must prepare a detailed work plan, including objectives, methodology, and a timeline, which must be approved by the supervisor.
5. Execution of research or experimental development
Students must demonstrate autonomy in conducting research or experimental development, ensuring the application of appropriate scientific methodologies.
6. Dissertation writing
The dissertation must be structured according to the scientific and formatting standards defined by DEMI, including a literature review, methodology, analysis of results, and conclusions.
7. Public defence
The dissertation will be evaluated by a jury consisting of three to five members, including at least one supervisor and two members not directly involved in the student’s supervision. The defence will be public, and the grading will be on a scale from 0 to 20, with a minimum score of 10 required for approval.
Bibliography
The core bibliography includes cross-cutting references in the fields of research methodology, project management and advanced digital manufacturing engineering. In addition, each student, in collaboration with the supervisor and applying the PRISMA methodology for systematic literature review, must identify specific references related to the dissertation topic, including scientific articles, technical standards and other up-to-date sources that support the framework and development of the work.
Teaching method
The development of the Dissertation in the Master’s in Advanced Digital Manufacturing Engineering is based on a supervised methodology, providing students with specialised guidance while fostering progressive autonomy. The teaching methods include:
1. Personalised supervision
Each student is supervised by a PhD professor, researcher, or a recognised expert, ensuring appropriate technical and scientific support throughout the project.
2. Research-based and experimental development learning
Students conduct an original scientific or technological project, applying research methodologies and experimental development in a laboratory or industrial setting.
3. Regular meetings with the supervisor
Periodic sessions to monitor progress, review results, and adjust methodological approaches as needed.
4. Support in literature review and scientific methodologies
Students receive guidance in researching and critically analysing relevant scientific literature, as well as in applying appropriate scientific and experimental methodologies.
5. Progress reports and structured planning
Students are required to submit progress reports throughout the dissertation development, ensuring proper planning and alignment with the defined objectives.
6. Development of scientific writing and communication skills
Support in structuring the dissertation to ensure the effective communication of results through scientific writing and oral presentations.
Public dissertation defence
Students present and publicly discuss their research findings before a jury, enhancing their argumentation, critical analysis, and technical communication skills.
Evaluation method
The assessment of the Dissertation course in the Master’s in Advanced Digital Manufacturing Engineering is based on the scientific and technical quality of the work, as well as the student’s ability to communicate their findings. The assessment process includes:
1. Continuous supervision assessment
Progress evaluation through regular meetings with the supervisor, ensuring methodological adequacy and research development.
2. Progress reports
Submission of interim reports demonstrating research progress, data analysis, and experimental development.
3. Quality of the written dissertation
The final document is assessed based on structure, scientific depth, methodological coherence, critical analysis, and originality of results.
4. Public defence
Presentation and discussion of results before a jury composed of three to five members, including at least one supervisor and two external evaluators.
5. Final grading
Awarded on a scale from 0 to 20, with a minimum score of 10 required for approval. The evaluation considers the dissertation quality, oral defence, and the student’s mastery of the subject.
Subject matter
- Problem or challenge identification: definition of the field of intervention, formulation of the research or technological development question.
- Bibliographic review: survey and critical analysis of the state of the art in advanced digital manufacturing engineering, identifying gaps and opportunities.
- Definition of objectives and methodologies: planning of the work, selection of appropriate research or experimental development methodologies.
- Work development: practical execution of the defined plan, which may include modelling, simulation, design, manufacturing or experimentation in a laboratory or industrial setting.
- Validation and analysis of results: benchmarking, performance assessment and critical discussion of the results obtained.
- Conclusions and improvement proposals: synthesis of the scientific and technological contributions achieved, identification of limitations and recommendations for future work.
- Dissertation writing: preparation of the scientific document in accordance with academic and scientific standards.
- Public presentation and defence: discussion of results before a jury, assessing technical, scientific and communication skills.