Study programme description for students
Structural and Mechanical Engineering - Master
Facts
Studyprogram code M-KONMAT
Credits (ECTS) 120
Level Master's degree (2 years)
Leads to degree Master of Structural and Mechanical Engineering (konstruksjons- og maskinteknikk)
Full-/Part-time Full-time
Duration 4 semesters
Undergraduate No
Language of instruction English
The master's programme provides expertise and advanced knowledge, skills and general competence in mechanical and structural engineering and material technology. Graduated students will have a background in engineering science and basic engineering subjects. The students will be able to apply this knowledge within their area of specialisations. The students will be qualified to participate and manage the development and implementation of new technology, methods and principles.
Candidates with a master’s degree in Structural and Mechanical Engineering will be qualified for many attractive jobs in civil engineering structures, production and manufacturing industries, mechanical systems, renewable energy projects and offshore industries. Within the two-year master's programme, students can immerse themselves in mechanical systems, renewable energy, civil engineering structures or offshore structures.
The master's programme is an international study programme, and all courses are taught in English.
Objectives, content, and organisation of the study programme
Consisting of 120 ECTS, the master's programme is composed of:
- basic methods courses which consolidate and continue the mathematical and scientific foundation of the bachelor's programme
- mandatory courses
- technical specialisation courses giving the students a broad and common platform in marine and offshore technology and complementing and expanding subjects from the bachelor programme
- elective courses
- non-science/technological course, e.g. economics, language, ethics, project management, green transition
- master's thesis
The master’s programme currently has two specialisations:
- Mechanical Engineering
- Structural Engineering
Students who choose the Mechanical Engineering specialisation have elective courses which provide more specialised learning outcomes in mechanical systems and renewable energy respectively.
Students who choose the Structural Engineering specialisation have elective courses which provide more specialised learning outcomes in civil engineering structures and offshore structures respectively.
The master’s thesis can be conducted either at the Department or in cooperation with the industry. Many students base their master’s thesis on practical projects in various industries. Project proposals for the master’s thesis should be formally pre-approved by an academic staff member of the mechanical and structural engineering groups at the Department.
The University of Stavanger aims to offer all its courses as planned, but courses still must be subjected to availability of resources and the minimum student enrolment. In addition, the content and scope of courses will change over time due to changes in professional environment, use of new technology, new practices and theories, and general changes in the society.
Teaching methods include a combination of lectures, projects, compulsory and voluntary exercises and laboratory work. Details on teaching and learning methods, required literature, evaluation methods, and assessment criteria are provided in each course description.
Learning outcome
A graduate should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:
Knowledge
K1: The candidate has advanced knowledge in the analysis, design and maintenance of engineering structures and specialised insight depending on the choice of specialisation (i.e., Mechanical Engineering or Structural Engineering).
K2: A candidate with a course package in mechanical systems has a thorough knowledge of design, modelling, analysis and manufacturing of mechanical components/systems, microstructure and properties of metallic materials, corrosion and corrosion protection. A candidate with a course package in renewable energy has a thorough knowledge on design, wind and wave energy conversion systems, passive energy systems, energy conversion efficiency, and business models involving renewable energy, energy systems interaction, sustainable city development and climate change.
A candidate who specialises in structural engineering has a thorough knowledge of non-linear static/dynamic analysis, environmental loads, fatigue, accidental limit state designs, material technology, concrete structures, concrete technology, structural integrity, and life extensions.
K3: The candidate has basic knowledge he/she can use for research and development work in mechanical and structural engineering.
K4: The candidate has knowledge on general ethical aspects in the engineering discipline.
Skills
S1: The candidate can apply existing theories, methods and scientific insight in the field and work independently to solve practical and theoretical problems.
S2: The candidate has higher order skills in analysis, critical evaluation, or professional application and the ability to solve complex problems and think rigorously and independently.
S3: The candidate can analyse and deal critically with various sources of information and use them to structure and formulate scholarly arguments. The candidate can identify state of the art for the technology as well as relevant national and international standards within relevant disciplines.
S4: The candidate can use independently relevant knowledge for research and professional development in field.
S5: The candidate can carry out an independent, limited research or development project under supervision and in accordance with applicable norms for research ethics.
General Competence
G1: The candidate can analyse relevant academic problems and be qualified to participate in developing and implementing new technology, methods and principles for the analysis, design and maintenance activities in specialised discipline (i.e., mechanical systems, renewable energy systems, civil engineering structures and offshore structures).
G2: The candidate can apply their knowledge and skills in new areas in order to carry out advanced tasks and projects.
G3: The candidate can communicate extensive independent work and master language and terminology of the academic field.
G4: The candidate can communicate on academic issues, analyses and conclusions in the field, with both the specialists and the public.
G5: The candidate can contribute to new thinking and innovation processes.
Career prospects
There will always be a need of buildings, roads, bridges, materials, machinery, production and manufacturing processes wind/wave and solar energy systems. Graduates will therefore be attractive in the industry and in the international job market.
The programme qualifies you for a wide range of positions in private industry and public organisations. Since the core of the master's programme consists of commonly applicable principles and methods, you can qualify for many attractive job positions in mechanical and structural engineering and materials technology in:
- offshore and civil engineering industries
- renewable energy projects
- production and manufacturing industries
- and a diverse range of mechanical operations.
Many will also have interesting job opportunities within:
- research
- education
- or in public sector devoted to control, regulation and law enforcement of industrial sectors
A degree in Structural and Mechanical Engineering provides a basis for work with the design, analysis, and optimization of structures and mechanical systems. Typical work tasks may include:
- designing load-bearing structures, machinery, and components
- performing finite element analysis (FEA) and structural simulations
- conducting material selection and failure analysis
- developing sustainable and energy-efficient engineering solutions
- managing construction, fabrication, manufacturing, or maintenance projects
- collaborating on interdisciplinary design and research projects in structural, mechanical, offshore, or industrial engineering
Course assessment
Schemes for quality assurance and evaluation of studies are stipulated in Quality System for Education.Studyplan with courses
Student exchange
Schedule for the exchange
In the 3rd semester of the master's programme in Structural and Mechanical Engineering, a period of study abroad is facilitated. Abroad, you must choose courses that provide an equivalent specialization in your field of study, and these must be approved before you leave. It is also important that the courses you are going to take abroad do not overlap with courses you have already taken or will take later in your studies. One tip is to think about your specialization and/or your field of interest. You must choose at least one non-science/technological course equivalent to 5-10 ECTS (e.g. economics, languages, ethics, project management, green transition or similar).
More opportunities
In addition to the recommended universities listed below, University of Stavanger has several agreements with universities outside Europe that are applicable to all students at UiS, provided that they find a relevant subject offering. Within the Nordic region, all students can use the Nordlys and Nordtek networks.
Contact your Study Adviser at the Faculty if you have questions about guidance and pre-approval of topics.
General questions about exchange: Go to the exchange guide in the Digital student service desk
Recommended institutions:
Student exchange for specialisation in Mechanical Engineering:
- San Diego State University, USA
- University of Adelaide, Australia
- Grenoble INP, France
- Polytechnic Milano, Italy
- University of Twente, Netherlands (ECIU University)
- University of Trento, Italy (ECIU University)
- Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania (ECIU University)
- Linköping University, Sweden (ECIU University)
- Soul Tech University, South Korea
Student exchange for specialisation in Structural Engineering:
- Aalborg University, Denmark
- University of Iceland, Iceland
- Technico Lisboa, Portugal
- Polytechnic Milano, Italy
- Technical University of Munich, Germany
- University of Twente, Netherlands (ECIU University)
- University of Trento, Italy (ECIU University)
- Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania (ECIU University)
See where you can travel
Contact information
Faculty of Science and Technology, tel (47) 51831700, E-mail: post-tn@uis.no
