Information on individual educational components (ECTS-Course descriptions) per semester

Scheduling takes place with those responsible for the research project. 

Course costs: For any intended visits to scientific conferences, the travelling expenses or participation fees incurred will be borne by the students. 

Which of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals is particularly promoted depends on the choice of task.

Prerequisites for attending this course are academic interest and the ability to work independently and pose questions as well as the willingness to carry out the project started in the summer semester over two semesters with 6 ECTS credits each and to continue it in the winter semester. 

The continuation of the research project as part of a Master's thesis is strived. The aim is to publish the research results in the form of a publication, a research report, a conference paper, a video or similar.

Due to the required prerequisites, students are not entitled to admission to the course.

Application of fundamental scientific research methods, understanding and handling of state-of-the-art analysis and industrial facilities, acquaintance with scientific models in the field of microtechnology.

The projects can be in the context of the four topics "fabrication of micro structures with ultrashort pulsed lasers", "assembly of supersensitive biosensors for medical diagnosis", "design of integrated optical components for data processing or medical diagnosis“ or "numerical simulation of surface acoustic waves and its application in microfluidic".

General learning outcomes of research projects:

• Students produce a scientific paper by developing, independently working on and answering a research question.
• Students know the cornerstones and milestones of a research project (research question and objectives, theses, falsification, experiments, quality criteria, etc.).
• Depending on the research centre or group, students learn about different research methods - from qualitative/quantitative methods, understanding and operating programmes and production facilities to the use of specific IT tools, etc.
• Students can integrate relevant aspects of research ethics and data protection into research projects.
• Students can present research content in the context of team meetings, events or publications.
• Students know their expertise and passion for research and are aware of their next steps in deepening their research expertise, including PhD options.
• Students know elements of interdisciplinary collaboration.

Specific learning outcomes of research projects:

Students familiarise themselves with aspects of current research projects at the Microtechnology Research Centre.

The detailed, scientific learning outcomes are agreed and documented individually with the students before the start of the course as part of the formulation of their research questions.

Students develop a scientific work in which they independently work on and answer a research question defined in the current research environment of the FH Vorarlberg. Through these projects they acquire:

• an overview of research questions and current activities and fields of application in the area of microtechnology and optics
• deepened methodological knowledge, which is not standard in core curricula
• knowledge for later scientific activities (e.g. dissertation).

Additional learning outcomes: The students...

• familiarise themselves with the state of the art in the chosen research area when developing the research question.
• become acquainted with technological methods in microtechnology including appropriate analytics.
• learn the scientific presentation of their results, their validity and limitations in a publication and the associated intellectual penetration of their topic.
• gain self-awareness and professional experiences in working on a real scientific project and in the teamwork and interaction with research fellows.

Mobilisation: Students are given leeways to pick up own questions and approaches.

Actionability: Joint planning of an appropriate approach, outline of methods and readings needed. Specification of standards and requirements concerning the work result.

Performance: Specification of general requirements of the collaboration and the mode of behaviour which are necessary for an effective performance.

Supervision by researchers at the Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences is provided by coaching, instruction, participation in discussions and seminars, as well as by accompanying self-study.

Achievement of objectives specified at the beginning of the project in relationship to the students previous knowledge. Documentation of learning outcomes and project results.

Project completion in the form of an in-house public presentation, publication, research report, poster, video, etc.

The course "Research Project: Micro Engineering" in the winter semester is the continuation of the course of the same name from the previous summer semester. 

For self-study and to gain an overview:

Mikrotechnik: Sabine Globisch (Herausgeberin): „Lehrbuch Mikrotechnologie“ für Ausbildung, Studium und Weiterbildung 2011 Hanser Verlag

Lasermaterial-Bearbeitung: Jens Bliedtner, Hartmut Müller, Andrea Barz „Lasermaterialbearbeitung“, Grundlagen – Verfahren-Anwendungen – Beispiele, 2013 Hanser Verlag

Optik: Eugene Hecht: „Optik“, 2009 Oldenbourg Wissenschaftsverlag

Project related reading material will be provided.

• self-organised learning and independent work according to the standards of the respective research unit
• collaboration and presence in the team and participation in working groups
• coaching and guidance
• experiments, field research, laboratory work, etc.
• moderation and presentation techniques
• project completion in the form of an in-house public presentation, publication, research report, poster, video, etc.

The students delve into current research questions that are investigated at the Research Centre for Microtechnology in the context of challenging research projects. Experiences and insights from the research process are recorded in a logbook.

As learners, they have the time to construct, reconstruct (re-sift and reassemble existing knowledge), or deconstruct (to uncover the limitations of ones own discipline) knowledge. In the actual research process, they pursue a scientific approach ("craftsmanship quality") in research and observation / survey as well as a constructive approach to active and passive criticism in the discussion.

Supervision by researchers at the Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences is provided by coaching, instruction, participation in discussions and seminars, as well as by accompanying self-study.