Curriculum for the Master's Programme in Mechanical Engineering, 2024

1: Preface

Pursuant to consolidation Act 778 of August 7, 2019 on Universities (the University Act), the following is established. 

The programme also follows the Examination Policies and Procedures incl. the Joint Programme Regulations  for Aalborg University.

2: Basis in Ministerial orders

The Master’s programme is organised in accordance with the Ministry of Higher Education and Science’s  Order no. 2285 of December 1, 2021 on Full-time University Programmes (the University Programme Order) with subsequent change and Ministerial Order no. 2271 of December 1, 2021 on University Examinations (the Examination Order) with subsequent change. Further reference is made to Ministerial Order no. 69 of January 26, 2023 (the Admission Order) and Ministerial Order no. 1125 of July 4, 2022 (the Grading Scale Order).

3: Campus

The programme is offered in Aalborg.

4: Faculty affiliation

The Master’s programme falls under the The Faculty of Engineering and Science, Aalborg University.

5: Study board affiliation

The Master’s programme falls under the Study Board of Mechanical Engineering and Physics.

6: Affiliation to corps of external examiners

The Master’s programme is associated with the external examiners corps on Civil engineering corps of external examiners.

7: Admission requirements

Applicants with a legal claim to admission (retskrav):

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Manufacturing, Aalborg University (Aalborg)

Applicants without legal claim to admission:
Applicants with one of the following degrees are entitled to admission:

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Aalborg University (Aalborg)
• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Aalborg University (Esbjerg)
• Bachelor of Science in Engineering (General Engineering with specialisation in Mechanical Engineering), Aalborg University (Aalborg)
• Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Mechanical Engineering), Technical University of Denmark

All applicants must, as a minimum, document English language qualifications comparable to an "English B level" in the Danish upper secondary school (gymnasium) (cf. the Admission Order).

As a prerequisite for admission to the master’s programme, students must have completed a bachelor programme in technical sciences, a bachelor of engineering programme or a bachelor in natural science.

Admission to the master’s programme in Mechanical Engineering requires that the applicant has passed a relevant qualifying bachelor’s or professional bachelor’s degree programme. A bachelor’s or professional bachelor’s degree programme is defined as relevant if the degree programme provides competencies to a minimum of ECTS within the following subject areas:

The specialisation in Design of Mechanical Systems

Mathematics: The general fields of calculus, linear algebra, vector calculus, differential equations, numerical methods, should be covered to a combined extent of 20-25 ECTS.

Physics: The general fields of statics and dynamics of particles and rigid bodies, analytical mechanics, mechanical vibrations, thermodynamics should be covered to a combined extent of 20-25 ECTS.

Mechanical and electronic engineering: The general fields of system design, mechanical elements, actuation and control/regulation, measurement techniques and statistics, programming, robotics should be covered to a combined extent of 20-25 ECTS.

Solid mechanics: The general fields of strength of materials, theory of elasticity, finite element modeling should be covered to a combined extent of 20-25 ECTS.

Materials and Manufacturing: The general fields of engineering materials, material selection, manufacturing, processing analysis should be covered to a combined extent of 20-25 ECTS.

Application of the above disciplines through e.g. project work (as part of the applicant BSc-curriculum) counts towards the combined ECTS extent

The specialisation in Electro-Mechanical System Design

Mathematics: The general fields of calculus, linear algebra, vector calculus, differential equations, numerical methods, should be covered to a combined extent of 20-25 ECTS.

Physics: The general fields of statics and dynamics of particles and rigid bodies, analytical mechanics, mechanical vibrations, thermodynamics should be covered to a combined extent of 20-25 ECTS.

Mechanical engineering: The general fields of machine design and machine elements, fluid power and mechanical actuation, linear control theory, measurement techniques and statistics should be covered to a combined extent of 20-25 ECTS.

Solid Mechanics: The general fields of strength of materials, theory of elasticity, finite element modeling should be covered to a combined extent of 20-25 ECTS.

Materials and Manufacturing: The general fields of engineering materials, material selection, manufacturing, processing analysis should be covered to a combined extent of 20-25 ECTS.

Application of the above disciplines through e.g. project work (as part of the applicant BSc-curriculum) counts towards the combined ECTS extent.

The specialisation in Manufacturing Technology

Mathematics: The general fields of calculus, linear algebra, vector calculus, differential equations, numerical methods, should be covered to a combined extent of 15-20 ECTS.

Physics: The general fields of statics and dynamics of particles and rigid bodies, analytical mechanics, mechanical vibrations, dynamics, kinematics should be covered to a combined extent of 20-25 ECTS.

Mechanical and electronic engineering: The general fields of system design, mechanical elements, actuation and control/regulation, measurement techniques and statistics, programming, robotics should be covered to a combined extent of 20-25 ECTS.

Materials and manufacturing: The general fields of engineering materials, sensors, manufacturing, processing analysis should be covered to a combined extent of 20-25 ECTS.

System analysis: The general fields of product development, production development should be covered to a combined extent of 20-25 ECTS.

Application of the above disciplines through e.g. project work (as part of the applicant BSc-curriculum) counts towards the combined ECTS extent.

The specialisation in Biomechanical Engineering

Mathematics: The general fields of calculus, linear algebra, vector calculus, differential equations, numerical methods, should be covered to a combined extent of 20-25 ECTS.

Physics: The general fields of statics and dynamics of particles and rigid bodies, analytical mechanics, mechanical vibrations, thermodynamics should be covered to a combined extent of 20-25 ECTS.

Mechanical and electronic engineering: The general fields of system design, mechanical elements, actuation and control/regulation, measurement techniques and statistics, programming, robotics should be covered to a combined extent of 20-25 ECTS.

Solid mechanics: The general fields of strength of materials, theory of elasticity, finite element modeling should be covered to a combined extent of 20-25 ECTS.

Materials and Manufacturing: The general fields of engineering materials, material selection, manufacturing, processing analysis should be covered to a combined extent of 20-25 ECTS.

Application of the above disciplines through e.g. project work (as part of the applicant BSc-curriculum) counts towards the combined ECTS extent.

8: The programme title in Danish and English

The Master’s programme entitles the graduate to one of the following titles:

• Civilingeniør, cand.polyt. i mekanik og produktion med specialisering i design af mekaniske systemer. The English designation is: Master of Science (MSc) in Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) with specialization in design of mechanical systems.
• Civilingeniør, cand.polyt. i mekanik og produktion med specialisering i elektro-mekanisk system design. The English designation is: Master of Science (MSc) in Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) with specialization in electro-mechanical system design.
• Civilingeniør, cand.polyt. i mekanik og produktion med specialisering i virksomhedsteknologi. The English designation is: Master of Science (MSc) in Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) with specialization in manufacturing technology.
• Civilingeniør, cand.polyt. i mekanik og produktion med specialisering i bio-mekanisk ingeniørvidenskab. The English designation is: Master of Science (MSc) in Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) with specialization in biomechanical engineering.

9: Programme specifications in ECTS credits

The Master’s programme is a 2-year, research-based, full-time study programme. The programme is set to 120 ECTS credits.

10: Rules concerning credit transfer (merit), including the possibility for choice of modules that are part of another programme at a university in Denmark or abroad

The Study Board can approve that passed programme elements from other educational programmes at the same level replaces programme elements within this programme (credit transfer).

Furthermore, the Study Board can, upon application, approve that parts of this programme is completed at another university or a further education institution in Denmark or abroad (pre-approval of credit transfer).

The Study Board’s decisions regarding credit transfer are based on an academic assessment.

11: Exemptions

The Study Board’s possibilities to grant exemption, including exemption to further examination attempts and special examination conditions, are stated in the Examination Policies and Procedures published at this website: https://www.studyservice.aau.dk/rules

12: Rules for examinations

The rules for examinations are stated in the Examination Policies and Procedures published at this website: https://www.studyservice.aau.dk/rules

13: Rules concerning written work, including the Master’s Thesis

In the assessment of all written work, regardless of the language it is written in, weight is also given to the student's formulation and spelling ability, in addition to the academic content. Orthographic and grammatical correctness as well as stylistic proficiency are taken as a basis for the evaluation of language performance. Language performance must always be included as an independent dimension of the total evaluation. However, no examination can be assessed as ‘Pass’ on the basis of good language performance alone; similarly, an examination normally cannot be assessed as ‘Fail’ on the basis of poor language performance alone.

The Study Board can grant exemption from this in special cases (e.g., dyslexia or a native language other than Danish).

The Master’s Thesis must include an English summary. If the project is written in English, the summary can be in Danish. The summary is included in the evaluation of the project as a whole.

14: Requirements regarding the reading of texts in a foreign language

It is assumed that the student can read academic text and use reference works, etc., in English.

15: Competence profile on the diploma

The following competence profile will appear on the diploma:

A Candidatus graduate has the following competency profile:

A Candidatus graduate has competencies that have been acquired via a course of study that has taken place in a research environment.

A Candidatus graduate is qualified for employment on the labour market based on his or her academic discipline as well as for further research (PhD programmes). A Candidatus graduate has, compared to a Bachelor, developed his or her academic knowledge and independence so as to be able to apply scientific theory and method on an independent basis within both an academic and a professional context.

16: Competence profile of the programme

The graduate of the Master’s programme:

Knowledge

• Has attained thorough understanding of a broad range of theoretical, numerical and experimental techniques within the area of mechanical engineering.
• Have knowledge on a scientific basis to reflect over subject areas related to mechanical engineering and identify scientific problems within the area of mechanical engineering.
• Demonstrate insight into the implications of research work, including research ethics.

Students with specialisation in Electro Mechanical System Design have:

• Additional knowledge in one or more selected areas within electro mechanical system design, based on the highest level of international research.
• Understanding and, on a scientific basis, are able to reflect over the subject areas related to electro mechanical system design and identify scientific problems within that area.
• Understanding of the basic elements and concepts involved in designing electro mechanical systems and components, and how they interact in a synergistic way.

Students with specialisation in Design of Mechanical Systems have:

• Additional knowledge in one or more subject areas within mechanical system design, based on the highest level of international research.
• Understanding and, on a scientific basis, are able to reflect over the subject area related to mechanical system design and identify scientific problems within that area.
• Understanding of the basic elements and concepts involved in designing mechanical systems and components, and how they interact in a synergistic way.

Students with specialisation in Manufacturing Technology have:

• Additional knowledge in one or more subject areas within manufacturing technology, based on the highest level of international research.
• Understanding and, on a scientific basis, are able to reflect over the subject areas related to manufacturing technology and identify scientific problems within that area.
• Understanding of the relationship between product design and manufacturing.
• The ability to use innovation models which speed up the innovation process, reduce the risk of failure and/or improve the business or societal value.

Students with specialisation in Biomechnical Engineering have:

• Knowledge of the basic anatomy, physiology, neuroscience and biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system.
• Knowledge of engineering applied in a clinical setting. 
• Knowledge on the design and testing of technologies aiming to improve or restore biological systems.

Skills

• Are able to apply scientific methodology for solving a wide variety of problems within the field of mechanical engineering.
• Are able to perform scientific work in relevant topics in the field of mechanical engineering.
• Are able to apply a wide range of engineering methods in research and development projects in the field of mechanical engineering.
• Can evaluate and select among scientific theories, methods, tools and general skills and, on a scientific basis, advance new analyses and solutions within mechanical engineering.
• Can communicate research-based knowledge and discuss professional and scientific problems with peers as well as non-specialists, using the correct terminology in mechanical engineering.
• Can use advanced laboratory test set ups and data collection methods.
• Can apply experimental tests for obtaining input for calibrating computational models and assess uncertainties within mechanical engineering.
• Demonstrate an understanding of research work and be able to become a part of a research environment.

Students with specialisation in Electro Mechanical System Design have additional skills in:

• Designing, modelling and analyzing electro-mechanical systems and components.
• Designing and applying both classical and advanced control methods for electro-mechanical systems and components.

Students with specialisation in Design of Mechanical Systems have additional skills in:

• Designing, modelling and analyzing mechanical systems and components.
• Designing, modelling and analyzing lightweight structures.
• Designing, modelling and analyzing dynamic systems.

Students with specialisation in Manufacturing Technology have additional skills in:

• Analyzing any given manufacturing system and prescribe measures to improve the efficiency of the facility.
• Formulating suitable models to improve either a specific manufacturing process or manufacturing system.

Students with specialisation in Biomechanical Engineering have additional skills in: 

• Designing, modeling and analyzing technologies for biological systems. 
• Designing and conducting experimental procedures involving biological systems conforming to ethical guidelines. 
• Planning experiments and conducting biostatistical analyses of data acquired from experimental trials on biological systems. 
• Creating computer models of the musculoskeletal systems towards finding new ways for understanding and optimizing motor function. 

Competencies

• Are able to work independently with a project on a specific problem within their field of interest on the highest possible level within their field of specialization.
• Can, on a highly qualified manner, take part in technical development and research.
• Can manage work and development situations that are complex, unpredictable and require new solutions within their field of specialization.
• Can independently initiate and implement discipline-specific and interdisciplinary cooperation and assume professional responsibility.
• Can identify scientific problems within their field of specialization and select and apply appropriate scientific theories, methods and tools for their solution.
• Are able to direct the technical management of development projects within the industry.
• Are competent to solve new and complicated technical problems by the use of advanced mathematics, scientific and technological knowledge.
• Can independently take responsibility for own professional development and specialization.
• Have the ability to design and evaluate a technical solution.
• Can evaluate and select digital tools based on their appropriateness to specific tasks within mechanical engineering.

Students with specialisation in Electro Mechanical System design have additional competencies in:

• Are able to participate in or lead projects in electro mechanical system design, product development, modelling and analysis of electro mechanical systems.

Students with specialisation in Design of Mechanical Systems have additional competencies in:

• Are able to participate in or lead projects in mechanical system design, product development, modelling and analysis of mechanical systems, materials technology, structural mechanics and design of lightweight structures.

Students with specialisation in Manufacturing Technology have additional competencies in:

• Are able to participate in or lead projects in manufacturing system design, product development, modeling and analysis of manufacturing processes and systems, or materials technology.

Students with specialisation in Biomechanical Engineering have additional competencies in: 

• Being able to communicate with engineering and clinical professionals, simultaneously. 
• Identification of problems in the multidisciplinary area of engineering and the clinic.
• Identification of strengths and weaknesses of mechanical devices designed to assist motor function.
• Participation in, or leading of, projects involving design, modeling and analyzing technologies for biological systems. 
• Participation in or leading projects involving both technical and clinical research aspects of biomechanical engineering. 

17: Structure and Contents of the programme

The M.Sc. program in Mechanical Engineering aims at educating graduates, who are qualified to take part in technical development and research and who are able to direct the technical management of development projects within the industry.

The graduates are expected to have gained a broad knowledge within the areas of mechanical system design, product development, modelling and analysis of mechanical systems, materials technology, production technology, structural mechanics and design of lightweight structures. Also, the graduates are expected to be competent to solve new and complicated technical problems by the use of advanced mathematics, scientific and technological knowledge.

The program is structured in modules and organized as a problem-based study. A module is a program element or a group of program elements, which aims to give students a set of professional skills within a fixed time frame specified in ECTS credits, and concluding with one or more examinations within specific exam periods that are defined in the curriculum.

The program is based on a combination of academic, problem-oriented and interdisciplinary approaches and organized based on the following work and evaluation methods that combine skills and reflection:

• lectures
• classroom instruction
• project work
• workshops
• exercises (individually and in groups)
• teacher feedback
• reflection
• portfolio work

Elective courses
The study board reserves the right not to offer an elective course, if there are too few students enrolled in the course. In the case an elective course is not offered, the students will be offered other elective courses.

Microcredentials
AAU Micro are small e-learning modules of limited, well-defined scope. AAU Micro modules are extra-curricular, but may be employed to support learning in curricular course and project modules.

18: Overview of the programme

All modules are assessed through individual grading according to the 7-point scale or Pass/Fail. All modules are assessed by external examination (external grading) or internal examination (internal grading or by assessment by the supervisor only).

Overview of specializations

Elective courses for 3rd semester

19: Additional information

PBL introductory course
All students who have not participated in Aalborg University’s PBL introductory course during their Bachelor’s degree must attend the introductory course “Problem-based Learning and Project Management”. The introductory course must be approved before the student can participate in the project exam. Please see further information about the course on the study board website Studyboard of Mechanics and Physics - Aalborg University (aau.dk)

20: Commencement and transitional rules

The curriculum is approved by the dean and enters into force as of September 1, 2024.

The Study Board does not offer teaching after the previous curriculum from 2024 after the summer examination 2026.

The Study Board will offer examinations after the previous curriculum, if there are students who have used examination attempts in a module without passing. The number of examination attempts follows the rules in the Examination Order.

21: Amendments to the curriculum and regulations

The Vice-dean has on February 14, 2024, approved at newer version of the module "System Identificationb and Diagnosis", valid from autumm 2024.