Applied Autonomous Sensor Systems - KK-stiftelsen

Applied Autonomous Sensor Systems
In general, it is difficult to see the connection between the research and the
basic education (BSc study programmes). The study programmes offered at
this level are Computer Engineering, and Simulation and Computer Games
Development. There is no obvious connection between the research and
these programmes as a whole or their individual course modules.
On Masters level, the connection is more clear. The 4-year programme
contains some modules that have a clear link to the research and the new
International MSc in Robotics and Intelligent Systems has a clear link to the
research. However, only two modules were taught by AASS staff in 2007.
4.2 Impact on education direction, content, and attraction
On the basic education level, there is no or little impact of the research on
the study programmes and their direction. Whilst research does not have to
have a large impact at this level, some impact would be good (also with
respect to forthcoming reviews of the study programmes by the Higher
Education Council). Due to the relatively low number of students, resources
have to be shared in order to arrive at economically sustainable student
numbers on classroom level.
On the Masters level, there is a clear impact of the research on the
education, in particular for the new MSc programme. Graduates from this
programme would also form an important part of the recruitment base for
PhD students.
4.3 Impact on the profile’s attractiveness
On the basic education level, the AASS research is not very visible and does
not have much impact, perhaps with the exception of some of the degree
projects. Perhaps a new study programme with a clearer connection to the
field of research and pushing more towards the direction of robotics could
be considered. Establishing a new study programme with a relatively narrow
focus may not be the obvious choice when taking current student numbers
into account, but it would be good if the research at AASS would have a
larger impact (be more visible) on basic education level.
On the other hand, the new Master programme is strongly influenced by
the research and can serve as an appetizer for students who have the
ambition to continue their education as PhD students.
4.4 Handling of critical success factors, threats and possibilities
The relatively low number of students (which is much a nation-wide
problem in the fields of Computer Science and Engineering) has forced
AASS and Örebro University to share resources at the basic education level.
Whilst this makes basic education economically sustainable, it has drawn
the attention away from the area of robotics.
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