Course content

The course ensures that students encounter different challenges associated with managing a modern technology enterprise. The challenges are related to establishment, development and management of companies. This specifically includes a) understanding of organisations, including change and development processes; b)understanding of economy including basic understanding of accounting, investments and economy management; and c) possibility evaluation, business development and technologybased innovation.

Learning outcome

The course is obligatory for all engineering students in their third year. The idea is to give the students a perspective on economics and technology management subjects important to engineers when they graduate and start working. The course is also a basis for further courses in economics and technology management (K-emner) in their fourth and fifth year.
The learning objectives for the course is to familiarise Msc students in technology with basic theories surrounding economy and management of modern technology enterprises. Emphasis is put on using common and general terms and models, in order to allow application to a wide range of companies and organisations. In teaching the course, emphasis is put on applying the models in a practical case study, and on providing references to more literature for students interested in looking further into the field.

Learning methods and activities

Weekly lecture of 3h where each lecture covers one sub-topic within technology management. There are three topics on entrepreneurship, four topics on economy and four topics on organisation. In addition, one week is reserved for the business simulator exercise. The topics are followed by practical exercises and student participation in internet-facilitated discussions. One exercise is an individual lecture room exercise where the students complete an economic simulation of a company. Portfolio assessment is the basis for the grade in the course. The portfolio includes two exercises (each counting 20%) and a final written exam (60%). The results for the parts are given in %-scores, while the entire portfolio is assigned a letter grade. The other learning activities are voluntary. If there is a re-sit examination, the examination form may be changed from written to oral.

Recommended previous knowledge

None.

Course materials

Course materials are given at the start of the study year.

Credit reductions