Study plan - Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering

Learning outcomes

A candidate with completed qualifications should have the following total learning outcomes:

 

Knowledge:

The candidate:

• has basic knowledge of design and/or production, materials and knowledge in the field of holistic system development and engineering design. The candidate has knowledge that contributes to the relevant specialization, width or depth.
• has basic knowledge in mathematics, natural science, relevant social science and economics and how these can be integrated into solutions in the field of mechanical research.
• knows the history and development in the field and the role of the engineer in society. The candidate knows the consequences of the development and the use of technology.
• knows the research and development tasks, relevant methodology and work methods in the field.
• can update his knowledge in the field, both through information gathering and through contact with professional environments and practice.

Skills:

The candidate:

• can apply knowledge in mathematics, physics, chemistry and technological topics to formulate, specify, plan and solve technical problems in a founded systematically way.
• masters engineering design tasks and modelling simulation programs and can carry out solutions and systems.
• can identify, plan and execute projects, experiments and simulations, and analyse, interpret and use the resulting data, independently and in teamwork.
• can find, evaluate and utilize technical knowledge critically in the field, highlighting a problem, both written and orally.
• can contribute new ideas, innovation, quality management and entrepreneurship through the development and implementation of sustainable and socially beneficial products, systems and / or solutions.

General competence:

The candidate:

• knows in connection with product and solutions the consequences on environment, health, society and economics in the field, remarking ethical and lifetime perspectives.
• can communicate knowledge in safety to various audiences both in writing and orally in Norwegian and English and can help to demonstrate the technology's importance and consequences.
• can reflect on her/his professional practice, as well as a team member and in an interdisciplinary context, adapting it to the current work.
• can contribute to the development of good practice through participation in professional discussions in the field and share her/his knowledge and experiences with others.

 

Content

The study goes over 3 years and gives a qualification for a Bachelor degree. We offer two specializations on the machine program: Process and Energy Engineering and Marine Structural Engineering.

 

The program is adapted to the needs and challenges of tomorrow. With a basis in machine subjects, the specializations are directed towards maritime industry with subjects such as underwater technology, structural engineering, process engineering and distribution/use of natural gas.

 

The Department of Engineering reserves the right to cancel planned elective courses due to insufficient enrollment or available teachers.

Teaching

The teaching and learning methods are varied and aim to invite the students to activity and independent thinking. The teaching methods vary, with lectures, solving exercises in groups, and problem-based learning being the most common. In addition to individual reading, group work is the primary form of study for the students. The lecturers make a great effort in preparing the lectures and the students are expected to show prepared.

 

Practical training: The study includes no compulsory practice.

 

R&D base: A research-based and analytically approach to the topics dominate the teaching of courses included in the program. This means that teaching should reflect a research approach to problems and academic themes. Lecturers that conduct research should convey their knowledge to students, in terms of research topics, theory and research methods. They will also guide students working with their bachelor's thesis. The students will learn to apply relevant research literature and use research-based knowledge in their academic work.

 

Practical information about the program: Course content follows the National Curriculum provided by the Ministry of Education and Research. The three-year study is divided into six semesters, each of 30 credits (ECTS), totally 180 credits. The programme includes academic diversity of courses ranging from 10 to 20 credits. After three years (180 credits) the candidate obtains the Bachelor of Engineering degree. In the 5th semester there is an opportunity to select blocks of elective courses. In some of these courses prerequisites are necessary, whenever education is arranged so that the topics are based on each other during study.

 

The special three-semester plan (TRESS) implies a particular programme for the first year. It starts with a summer school in mathematics before the ordinary first year. Then there is a course in physics in the first semester. The exams in the three-semester plan must be passed to continue. Also a part of the summer between 1st and 2nd year are used for studies. Within the the start of the 2nd year, students in this program have obtained the same learning outcomes as students at the ordinary plan.

 

The study is headed by a Head of department and each subject has its lecturer with academic responsibility. In some subjects there are allocated student assistants. In each grade level, students choose two representatives to interact directly with the Head of Department. In addition, two selected reference persons per. subject interact with the lecturer.

 

The teaching methods vary, with lectures, solving exercises in groups, and problem-based learning being the most common. In addition to individual reading, group work is the primary form of study for the students. The workload in a course is measured in credits. One year full-time is normally 60 credits. Most courses are 10 credits. The courses run over one or two semesters. In a full-time study, a minimum of 40 hours of productive work each week during the study is required. Some students will need to use more time.

 

Information and communication technology is integrated into teaching and computer-based support systems are key tools in the scientific and educational work.

 

Teaching takes place primarily between the hours of 8:15 and 16:00, teaching in the afternoon may occur.

 

 

Assessment

In the study there are several different types of assessment in the different courses. The assessment in one course can for example be in the form of a written exam, portfolio assessment, verbal exam, project or a home exam. A course can have one assessment or a combination of several such as for example written exam and a portfolio assessment. In many of the courses there is compulsory work. This is assignments that does not count to the grade, but must be approved for the student to be able to take the exam in the course.

Information about the assessments is stated in the course description and is presented by each course coordinator at start of the semester. For more information see Regulations governing studies and exams at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences on the HVL-webpage.

 

 

Internationalization

Study programs at university are organized so that students may take 1-2 semesters of their education abroad. We have many agreements with other universities in the Socrates/Erasmus and Leonardo da Vinci EU programs. You may read more about HVL Haugesund's foreign exchange offers here.

Most courses are taught in Norwegian, while much of the literature is in English. In the 5th semester courses might be taught in English so that students from abroad can have an exchange, at the same time as this is a part of the internationalization for our students that don¿t take an exchange.