Study programme
With a mechanical engineering degree you will be prepared for work in many different engineering fields. You can, for instance, work in a manufacturing company as a product developer, designer, production planning, and maintenance, or in the service sector, working with tasks involving solving problems and designing in connection with developing and operating mechanical engineering equipment.
Mechanical engineers are needed to develop, run and maintain many of the technical systems in operation today. Examples of operations in continuous need of mechanical engineers are the manufacturing of food, vehicles, paper, household appliances and pharmaceutical products. Most industrial operations depend on the reliability of machines and apparatuses and therefore efforts are constantly made to improve the systems and machinery used.
Education level: Basic level
Prerequisites
General entry requirements and Physics 2, Chemistry 1, Mathematics 3c/Mathematics D
More about field-specific eligibility
While studying
Education
Our mechanical engineering programme is designed to provide a broad education in the field. Subjects, such as mechanics, materials engineering, solid mechanics and mathematics, are included and constitute an essential foundation for manufacturing technique, machine components, mechatronics, hydraulics, CAD, and production and design techniques. All courses have substantial elements of hands-on tasks for applying and testing theories since this is important for learning. Students are well prepared for an interesting, stimulating and rewarding professional career. A degree project, in which students apply knowledge and practise engineering skills to a real problem, concludes the programme.
Form of Instruction
Instruction is given in form of lectures, classes, laboratory work and project work.
Examination
There are no set examination periods, and generally no final exam at the end of a semester, an academic year, or a complete study programme. Examination usually takes place at the end of each course, module, or unit.
Professional Contact
In the course of study students establish contact with workplaces through field trips, projects and lectures. The concluding degree project is usually carried out in conjunction with a company.
Course of study
| Semester 1 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Mechanical engineering at the Bachelor level (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Mathematics for Engineers I (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Introduction to programming and data processing (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Mechanics 1: statics (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
Total ECTS credits: 30
| Semester 2 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing Technology 1 (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Mathematics for Engineers II (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Materials Engineering, basic course (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Fundamental Energy Technology (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
Total ECTS credits: 30
| Semester 3 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Applied Mathematics (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Solid Mechanics I for Bachelor students in engineering science (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Mechanics 2: dynamics (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Electrical technology (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
Total ECTS credits: 30
| Semester 4 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Machine components (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Solid Mechanics II for Bachelor students in engineering science (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Machine design 1, Mechanical engineering (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Production Systems I (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
Total ECTS credits: 30
| Semester 5 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Sustainable Product Development (Obligatory) | 15 |
| Finite Element Methods for Bachelors students (Elective) | 7.5 |
| Manufacturing Technology 2 (Elective) | 7.5 |
| Ergonomics (Elective) | 7.5 |
| Materials Engineering, advanced course (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
Total ECTS credits: 30*
| Semester 6 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Production Systems II (Elective) | 7.5 |
| Engineering Design II, Mechanical Engineering (Elective) | 7.5 |
| Linear Algebra (Elective) | 7.5 |
| Degree Project for Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (Obligatory) | 22.5 |
Total ECTS credits: 30*
*Full-time study always equals 30 ECTS credits per semester (20 weeks).
Elective course: Students are free to choose among certain alternative courses, often depending on their choice of specialisation.
Optional course: Students are free to choose any course offered at Karlstad University or at other universities. Courses listed are examples of recommended or frequently chosen courses for a specific programme.
Läsårs- och programvärderingar
Start semester Autumn 2013
Start semester Autumn 2014
Start semester Autumn 2015
Start semester Autumn 2016
Start semester Autumn 2017
Start semester Autumn 2018
Start semester Autumn 2019
Start semester Autumn 2020
Future prospects
Employment Market
The demand for mechanical engineering graduates is not expected to abate in the future, especially not in the energy and vehicle industries. In addition, the competence of mechanical engineers is well-known in many other areas. Former students have jobs in many different areas.
Degree
The study programme leads to a Bachelor of Science in Machine Engineerging, 180 ECTS credits. For examination and assessment regulations, see under the heading "Learning outcomes" in the programme study plan.
Further Studies
The education is part of the new flexible education structure in Europe. With your degree you can, provided that you have the necessary mandatory courses, continue your studies aiming for a masters degree in computer science, either at Karlstad University or at other universities in Europe. Studies at the advanced level make you eligible for doctoral studies.
