Course syllabus Development of Systems for Innovation, Defence and Security

A minimum of 180 credits including thesis work of at least 15 credits. English equivalent to English 6/English B.

The course introduces the student to the subject of 'Systems science for defence and security' and provides a basis for the student's progression in the master's programme Innovation, Defence and Security. The course identifies the opportunities and challenges encountered by the subject, as well as the theoretical concepts and methods needed to address them.

The course introduces the student to the different types of actors whose task it is to create systems for defense and security. Such systems require both innovation and continuous development, and technical and social systems must be able to work together. The course also deals with how coordination between social and technical components requires a continuous innovation management so that the combined systems can respond to different forms of stress, for example in the event of unexpected challenges and crises.

The aim of the course is to build an student awareness and understanding for the subject and its application in research and practice, as well as with which theories and methods. Through lectures, guest lectures, seminars, group work and independent literature studies, the student is given an understanding and an ability to analyze the development and interaction between technical and social systems.

Type of instruction 
Lectures

Individual literature studies

Group assignments

Guest lectures

In-depth seminars

Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• explain the fundamentals of the subject and exemplify how the subject can be applied
• show an understanding of what possibilities and challenges that are particularly addressed in the subject related to collaboration between and development of technical and social components
• describe how systems of social and technical components can be created, steered and used
• exemplify challenges that actors in the defence and security sector face

Competence and skills

• discuss, with a critical approach, the challenges of the defence and security sector and exemplify how they can be treated with the building blocks of the subject
• discuss and analyze how innovation contributes to dealing with practical and research-oriented challenges in the defence and security sector, and how this relates to perspectives regarding society, ethics and sustainability.

Judgement and approach

• analyze different approaches for steering processes and innovation related to defence and security challenges based on literature and theory in the course.

The course is examined in three parts.

Examination 1, 1 credit point: Literature seminar, examined through an individual written assignment, and active participation in a literature seminar.

Examination 2, 1 credit point: Group assignment , examined through a written assignment and active participation in a seminar.

Examination 3, 5.5 credit points: Individual written take-home examination.

The examiner may decide to request supplementary assignments in order to achieve a passing grade on the course. Supplementary assignments shall be submitted no later than five working days after the result and supplementary assignment for the examination in question have been notified. Examination papers submitted late will not be graded unless special circumstances exist that are acceptable to the examiner.

Grading
Grading Scale: Fail (U), Pass (G), Pass with Distinction (VG).

Examination 1 and 2 are graded as Pass (G) or Fail (U). Examination 3 is graded as Fail (U), Pass (G), Pass with Distinction (VG).

In order to achieve a pass (G) for the course, a pass (G) is required for all the written examinations together with active participation in the compulsory seminars. To achieve a pass with distinction (VG) for the course, a pass with distinction (VG) is required for Examination 3 in addition to the requirements stipulated for a pass (G).

Restrictions in Number of Examinations
There is no limit on the total number of examination opportunities.

When the course is no longer offered or when the course content has changed substantially, the student has the right to be examined once per semester during a three-term period in accordance with this syllabus.