All programmes > Programme : Master of Mechanical Engineering (Leuven)

Master of Mechanical Engineering (Leuven)

Master of Science

Programme summary

Master of Mechanical Engineering (120 ECTS)
Programme for Engineering Technology Students (120 ECTS)

Education

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Our (future) students can find the official study programme and other useful info here.

You can find information about admission requirements, further studies and more practical info such as ECTS sheets, or a weekly timetable of the current academic year.

Are you a future student?

Be sure to first take a look at the page about the Master of Mechanical Engineering.

There you can find more info on:

- What’s the programme about?

- Starting profile

- Admission and application

- Future possibilities

- Why KU Leuven

- Contact

- ...

Objectives

1.  Competent in one or more scientific disciplines

1)Graduates possess a general active (i.e. application-oriented) knowledge in mechanics. In addition to the mechanics package in the Bachelor of Engineering Science program, graduates are aware of the prevailing theories and have mastered the prevailing experimental and numerical techniques in the following domains: propulsion techniques, measurement and control techniques, structure mechanics.

2)Graduates possess a general active (i.e. application-oriented) knowledge in one of the following subjects. Depending on the chosen option, this is acquired in a broad domain of mechanical knowledge:
o  Manufacturing and management: operational management, production technology, product design and management.
o  Mechatronics and robotics: integration of mechanics, electronics and robotics, precision mechanics and robotic systems.
o  Thermo-technical sciences: physics of fluids, gasses, plasmas and neutrons for the development of thermo-technical devices and installations.
Or in an application-oriented domain of mechanical knowledge:
o  Aviation and space technology: application of all mechanical disciplines in aviation and space technology.
o  Vehicle technologies: application of all mechanical disciplines in vehicle technology.

3)Graduates are able to apply knowledge from various mechanical domains in a creative way, expand it, deepen it and integrate it in functional systems.

2.  Competent in research

4)Graduates are able to reformulate a complex mechanical engineering problem into specific research objectives, compose a research plan, define the different steps of the research process with the aim of advancing knowledge beyond the state of the art, including: critical analysis of the state of the art, problem formulation, creating a plan of action, execution and synthesis.

5)Graduates are able to execute a research plan and process, analyze and critically evaluate research results.

3.  Competent in design

6)Graduates are able to apply design methods of mechanics in real industrial situations based on theory, experiments and simulations, leading to an innovative or optimized functional product/process that meets multifunctional design requirements.

7)Graduates take the technological and economic conditions into account throughout the design process and are aware of the capabilities and limitations of the user and the social demand for sustainability.

4.  A scientific approach

8)Graduates possess a broad analytical, integrating, and problem-solving mind and are able to combine knowledge from mechanics and related domains.

9)Graduates can select and process the most suitable information sources (scientific literature, internet, workshops, conferences, experimental data, professional networks).

10)Graduates are able to evaluate, select and exploit advanced mathematical models, including the system/process model and boundary conditions with the appropriate level of complexity for the specific application.

11)Graduates have a proactive attitude and seek to constantly improve their professional skills.

5.  Intellectual basic skills

12)Graduates are able to judge whether experimental or model results are correct based on their scientific knowledge and numerical skills.

13)Graduates have a critical-constructive attitude with respect to new discoveries and developments encountered in the scientific literature and in their own research.

14)Graduates are aware of their own competences and the range in which they can operate independently.

6.  Skilled in collaboration and communication

15)Graduates are capable of effectively reporting research and project results to experts, peers and laymen, in Dutch and in a second language, both orally and in writing.

16)Graduates are able to cooperate and manage projects in a (multidisciplinary) team, including distributing and assuming responsibilities, observing time and resource constraints, and documenting project progress and results.

17)Graduates are able to work independently.

7.  Taking the temporal and social context into account

18)Graduates take the business-economic context into account.

19)Graduates are able to analyze the societal consequences (sustainability, environment, health, safety, ethics) of new developments in mechanics and integrate these in scientific work.

20)Graduates are aware of the standards and regulations concerning technology and the principles of the right to intellectual property.

All of the above learning outcomes are developed within a broad international context.

The graduated master:

During the practice of the engineering profession, is guided by his or her scientific and technical knowledge.
Has an engineering attitude that enables him or her to formulate solutions to complex problems, taking into account relevant constraints of an economic, legal, social, ... nature.
Is aware of his or her social and ethical responsibility and can act accordingly.
Has a willingness for open communication and cooperation, both with engineers within and outside the discipline, and with other actors in the professional field.
Has insight into the broader role that engineers play in society.
Shows willingness to keep abreast of new scientific and technical evolutions, and to approach them with a critical mind.