Engineering Education for Development of Safety-Critical Systems

Abstract

Contribution: This article shares the learning ecosystem of a project-based safety-critical systems (SCS) course, identifying course contents that support self-directed learning and how assignments develop students' knowledge and understanding toward meeting the demand of industries. Background: The syllabus for undergraduate and postgraduate students of the engineering stream has been periodically updated by universities and higher education institutes to meet the demand of industries. Due to high reliability and safety requirements, the development process of SCS differs from that of other industrial systems in many ways. This article seeks to further understand ways that a project-based learning approach in an undergraduate and postgraduate SCS can earn a systematic knowledge to meet industrial demands. Research Question: In what ways can a project-based learning and experimental approach in the undergraduate and postgraduate course can embed the expertise on the development of SCS among the students to meet the industrial demands and increase the employability. Methodology: In-depth reviews with 21 experienced industry experts from ten different organizations, working on different domains, were conducted in the context of the development of SCS in order to investigate critical aspects related to the development of SCS. Then, students and faculty members of different universities and institutes were interviewed to know the existing course structure of SCS. Findings: The salient differences between the university students and practices were analyzed, based on which a systematic course on the development of SCS is proposed that can meet the industry demand. © 1963-2012 IEEE.