MSc Mechanical Engineering

Admission summer 2023 and onward:

Programme structure

The master degree is at 2-year education prescribed to 120 ECTS. The education consist of

  • Mandatory courses: 10 ECTS
  • Study line courses: 40 ECTS
  • Elective courses/projects: 30 ECTS
  • Master thesis: 30 ECTS

We enroll students twice a year. Courses are held once a year. Mandatory courses at 1st and 2nd semester therefore depend on study start.

 


Study program diagram:


Study lines

The study must include 40 ECTS of courses from study lines on level I or higher.
Students Starting summer 2024 or later: At least 20 ECTS is required to be on an advanced level (level II or higher).

Academic prerequisites: Be aware that courses may have requirements to course competences obtained prior to course attendance.

Course descriptions: For details on the listed study line course’s content, academic prerequisites and examination, read more in the AU Course catalouge and on the study’s Brightspace page.

Note: Not all courses in the study lines may run every year and may also be canceled before the semester starts due to low number of students or other unforeseen circumstances.


Renewable Energy

  • Renewable Energy Networks - 5 ECTS (Level I - Fall)
  • Turbomachinery - 5 ECTS (Level I - Fall)
  • Renewable Energy Technologies - 5 ECTS (Level II- Fall)
  • Wind energy - 5 ECTS (Level II - Spring)
  • Mechanical Engineering Study Course A - 5 ECTS (level II - spring + fall)
  • Mechanical Engineering Study Course B - 5 ECTS (level II - spring + fall)

Thermo/Fluid Dynamics

  • Fluids Engineering and turbulence - 5 ECTS (Level I - Fall)
  • Biofluid dynamics - 5 ECTS (Level II - Spring)    
  • Experimental fluid mechanics - 5 ECTS (Level II - Fall - expected 2025)
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics - 5 ECTS  (Level II - Spring)
  • Thermal Engineering - 5 ECTS (Level II - Fall - expected 2025)
  • Mechanical Engineering Study Course A - 5 ECTS (level II - spring + fall)
  • Mechanical Engineering Study Course B - 5 ECTS (level II - spring + fall)

Robot Technology

  • Mechatronics - 5 ECTS (Level I - Fall)
  • Robotics - 5 ECTS (Level II - Fall)
  • Sensing and Sensor Technology - 5 ECTS (Level II - Fall)
  • System dynamics and identification - 10 ECTS (Level II - Spring)
  • Microtechnology - 5 ECTS (Level II - Spring - expected 2026)
  • Mechanical Engineering Study Course A - 5 ECTS (level II - spring + fall)
  • Mechanical Engineering Study Course B - 5 ECTS (level II - spring + fall)

Dynamics

  • Dynamic Stability - 5 ECTS (Level II - Spring)
  • Vehicle dynamics and Stability - 5 ECTS (Level II - Fall)
  • Computational Dynamics - 10 ECTS (Level I - Fall) 
  • Computational Dynamics Q - 5 ECTS (Level II - Fall) 
  • System dynamics and identification - 10 ECTS (Level II - Spring)
  • Mechanical Engineering Study Course A - 5 ECTS (level II - spring + fall)
  • Mechanical Engineering Study Course B - 5 ECTS (level II - spring + fall)

Solid Mechanics

  • Finite Element Method - 5 ECTS (Level I - Fall)
  • Topology optimization - 5 ECTS (Level I - Spring)
  • Applied mathematics for engineers - 5 ECTS (Level I - Spring)
  • Nonlinear Solid Mechanics - 5 ECTS (Level II - Fall)
  • Slender structures - 5 ECTS (Level II - Fall)
  • Advanced FEM - 5 ECTS (Level II - Spring)
  • Fracture Mechanics - 5 ECTS (Level II - Spring)
  • Dynamic Stability - 5 ECTS (Level II - Spring)
  • Data-Enhanced Simulation for Solids - 5 ECTS (Level III - Fall)
  • Mechanical Engineering Study Course A - 5 ECTS (level II - spring + fall)
  • Mechanical Engineering Study Course B - 5 ECTS (level II - spring + fall)

Materials

  • Advanced Metal Fatigue - 5 ECTS (Level I - Spring)
  • Tribology - 5 ECTS (Level II - Fall)
  • Biomechanics - 5 ECTS (Level II - Spring)
  • Advanced Characterization Methods - 5 ECTS (Level II - Spring - expected 2026)
  • Design of Composite Structures - 5 ECTS (Level II - Spring)
  • Data-Enhanced Simulation for Solids - 5 ECTS (Level III - Fall)
  • Mechanical Metamaterials: Theory and Practice - 5 ECTS (Level II - Fall)
  • Mechanical Engineering Study Course A - 5 ECTS (level II - spring + fall)
  • Mechanical Engineering Study Course B - 5 ECTS (level II - spring + fall)

Mechanical Engineering Design

  • Product Design - 5 ECTS (Level I - Spring)
  • Sustainable Product Development - 5 ECTS (Level II - Fall)
  • Design for Manufacturing and Reliability - 5 ECTS (Level II - Fall)
  • Design of Composite Structures - 5 ECTS (Level II - Spring)
  • Medical Device Design - 5 ECTS (Level II - Spring)
  • Generative Design and Optimization - 5 ECTS (Level II - Spring) 
  • Mechanical Engineering Study Course A - 5 ECTS (level II - spring + fall)
  • Mechanical Engineering Study Course B - 5 ECTS (level II - spring + fall)

Manufacturing

  • Manufacturing Operations - 5 ECTS (Level I - Spring)
  • Additive Manufacturing - 5 ECTS (Level II - Spring)
  • Modelling and simulation of Industrial production systems - 10 ECTS (Level II - Fall - expected 2025)
  • Mechanical Engineering Study Course A - 5 ECTS (level II - spring + fall)
  • Mechanical Engineering Study Course B - 5 ECTS (level II - spring + fall)

Admission winter 2023

Programme structure

The master degree is at 2-year education prescribed to 120 ECTS. The education consist of

  • Mandatory courses
  • Study packages
  • Elective courses/projects: 30 ECTS
  • Master thesis: 30 ECTS

We enroll students twice a year. Courses are held once a year. Mandatory courses at 1st and 2nd semester therefore depend on study start.


Mandatory Study Package

Autumn 

Continuum Mechanics for Solids - 5 ECTS
Fluids Engineering and turbulence - 5 ECTS
Data Science - 5 ECTS

Spring

Thermodynamics - 5 ECTS
Applied Innovation in Engineering 5 ECTS
Mechanical Vibrations - 5 ECT

Study packages

Choose minimum two of the specialised study packages:

AUTUMN

Structural Mechanics

This package introduces theoretical concepts as well as analytical and numerical techniques in mechanics of solids and structures.

At the end of the studies students will understand and be able to apply the techniques to analyse and solve problems involving mechanical structures with complex geometries, a variety of material properties and loading conditions. This package, providing a vast range of hands-on activities and problem solving, will prepare students to carry on academic and industrial research.

Prerequisites: Calculus, Vector Calculus, Linear Algebra, Physics and Solid Mechanics.

  • Slender Structures - 5 ECTS
  • Finite Element Method - 5 ECTS
  • Nonlinear Solid Mechanics - 5 ECTS

Robotics

Robotics has wide applications in industrial production and manufacturing, medical surgery, biological manipulation, health and housing care, undersea exploration, aerospace operation, nuclear waste disposal, military action etc. To meet the increasing interest and demand for innovative robot technology and product in Denmark and Europe, the Robotic Specialization package addresses the need of the theories and technologies for designing, manufacturing and controlling advanced robot systems. It will provide our students with skills and capabilities of modelling, design, control, construction, operation, and application of robotic systems. The package will prepare our students for their potential careers in the research and development of robotic systems through the well-designed course package, hands-on lab exercises, and industrial application-oriented projects in close collaboration with Danish local industrial partners.

Prerequisites: Basic Mechanics, Fundamental Programming Knowledge, Differential Equations, Linear Algebra

  • Robotics - 5 ECTS
  • Sensing and Sensor Technology - 5 ECTS
  • Kontrolteori (Spring 2024, 5 ECTS, Bsc) or 5 ECTS Elective Autumn 2023

Energy Conversion Technology 

The package aims to build a solid theoretical basis for understanding and analysis of different energy conversion technologies. The students will learn about analytical solutions and working principles of wind farms, turbomachines and thermal systems. The package covers industrial applications such as heat exchangers, pumps, wind and gas turbines.

  • Heat Transfer - 5 ECTS
  • Turbo Machinery - 5 ECTS
  • Wind Energy or Renewable Energy Networks - 5 ECTS

Renewable Energy

This package provides the students with the global picture of challenges associated with decarbonizing our society and knowledge from engineering, physics, economics, and informatics required to analyze this problem. Students will learn the technological characteristics and operating principles of energy technologies including generation, storage and grids, and will use state-of-the-art open-source software to model a complete sector-coupled energy system. The package will prepare students to conduct further research on energy systems, as well as to get a job in energy-related industries.

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this package. Some programming knowledge would be desirable.

  • Renewable Energy Technology - 5 ECTS
  • Macro-Energy systems modelling - 5 ECTS
  • Solar Energy - 5 ECTS


SPRING

Fracture and Composits 

The package addresses the knowledge of analysing fracture mechanics, fatigue stiffness and strength of advanced composites and other materials such as steel structures. The package contains the theoretical basics and numerical implementation and solution. When designing lightweight structures with modern materials, the fracture mechanics validations of the design and estimating the lifetime of a component becomes more and more important. The package will provide the students insight into current research topics.

Prerequisites: Basics skills in Continuum Mechanics and Finite Element Theory for continua.
Recommended: Basic skills in Beam theory and Composite Manufacturing.

  • Fracture Mechanics - 10 ECTS
  • Advanced Metal Fatique or Composite Materials or R&D project - 5 ECTS

Dynamics

The package addresses the need of important knowledge in analytical and numerical solutions of structural dynamics problems. It will provide the students with important skills to simulate and verify dynamics of structures with multiple degrees of freedoms. Simulation will use advanced formulation as discrete element and reduction methods. The Package will give the students insight into current research topics and industrial applications such as wind turbines and vehicles.

​Prerequisites: Basic Dynamics and programming Knowledge

  • Computational Dynamics - 5 ECTS
  • Dynamic Systems with Applications -10 ECTS

Fluid Dynamics

The package addresses the need to deepen students’ knowledge in the analytical and numerical aspects of Fluid Dynamics. It will provide the students with key skills to describe, analyze and simulate fluid flows, ranging from ideal laminar to turbulent regimes. The Package will give the students insight into the state-of-the-art research topics with industrial applications such as aerodynamics design. Wind turbines, pumps, heat exchanges, and bio-fluids.

Prerequisites: Classical Mechanics, Calculus and Linear Algebra, Basic Fluid Mechanics.

  • Computational Fluid Dynamics - 10 ECTS
  • Wind energy or Turbulence - 5 ECTS

The following specialization packages will be available spring 2024:

Fracture Mechanics

  • Fracture Mechanics - 5 ECTS
  • Topology Optimization - 5 ECTS
  • Elective - 5 ECTS

Dynamics

  • System Dynamics and Identification - 10 ECTS
  • Computational Dynamics - 5 ECTS

Fluid Dynamics

  • Computational Fluid Dynamics - 5 ECTS
  • Wind Energy - 5 ECTS
  • Elective - 5 ECTS

A full, or part of a, specialisaton package can be cancelled one year if < 5 students enrolls, but only if the Head of Degree Programme evaluates that suitable alternatives can be offered to the students.

Admission before 2023:

Programme structure

The master degree is at 2-year education prescribed to 120 ECTS. The education consist of

  • Mandatory courses
  • Study packages
  • Elective courses/projects: 30 ECTS
  • Master thesis: 30 ECTS

We enroll students twice a year. Courses are held once a year. Mandatory courses at 1st and 2nd semester therefore depend on study start.


Mandatory Study Package

Autumn 

Continuum Mechanics for Solids - 5 ECTS
Fluid Dynamics - 5 ECTS
Optimisation Algorithms and Programming - 5 ECTS

Spring

Thermodynamics - 5 ECTS
Applied Innovation in Engineering 5 ECTS
Mechanical Vibrations - 5 ECT

Study packages

Choose minimum two of the specialised study packages:

AUTUMN

Structural Mechanics

This package introduces theoretical concepts as well as analytical and numerical techniques in mechanics of solids and structures.

At the end of the studies students will understand and be able to apply the techniques to analyse and solve problems involving mechanical structures with complex geometries, a variety of material properties and loading conditions. This package, providing a vast range of hands-on activities and problem solving, will prepare students to carry on academic and industrial research.

Prerequisites: Calculus, Vector Calculus, Linear Algebra, Physics and Solid Mechanics.

  • Beams and Plates - 5 ECTS
  • Finite Element Method - 5 ECTS
  • Nonlinear Solid Mechanics - 5 ECTS

Robotics

Robotics has wide applications in industrial production and manufacturing, medical surgery, biological manipulation, health and housing care, undersea exploration, aerospace operation, nuclear waste disposal, military action etc. To meet the increasing interest and demand for innovative robot technology and product in Denmark and Europe, the Robotic Specialization package addresses the need of the theories and technologies for designing, manufacturing and controlling advanced robot systems. It will provide our students with skills and capabilities of modelling, design, control, construction, operation, and application of robotic systems. The package will prepare our students for their potential careers in the research and development of robotic systems through the well-designed course package, hands-on lab exercises, and industrial application-oriented projects in close collaboration with Danish local industrial partners.

Prerequisites: Basic Mechanics, Fundamental Programming Knowledge, Differential Equations, Linear Algebra

  • Robotics - 5 ECTS
  • Control and Sensor Technology - 10 ECTS

Energy Conversion Technology 

The package aims to build a solid theoretical basis for understanding and analysis of different energy conversion technologies. The students will learn about analytical solutions and working principles of wind farms, turbomachines and thermal systems. The package covers industrial applications such as heat exchangers, pumps, wind and gas turbines.

  • Heat Transfer - 5 ECTS
  • Turbo Machinery - 5 ECTS
  • Wind Energy or Renewable Energy Networks - 5 ECTS

Renewable Energy

This package provides the students with the global picture of challenges associated with decarbonizing our society and knowledge from engineering, physics, economics, and informatics required to analyze this problem. Students will learn the technological characteristics and operating principles of energy technologies including generation, storage and grids, and will use state-of-the-art open-source software to model a complete sector-coupled energy system. The package will prepare students to conduct further research on energy systems, as well as to get a job in energy-related industries.

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this package. Some programming knowledge would be desirable.

  • Renewable Energy Technology - 5 ECTS
  • Renewable Energy Systems - 5 ECTS
  • Solar Energy - 5 ECTS


SPRING

Fracture and Composits 

The package addresses the knowledge of analysing fracture mechanics, fatigue stiffness and strength of advanced composites and other materials such as steel structures. The package contains the theoretical basics and numerical implementation and solution. When designing lightweight structures with modern materials, the fracture mechanics validations of the design and estimating the lifetime of a component becomes more and more important. The package will provide the students insight into current research topics.

Prerequisites: Basics skills in Continuum Mechanics and Finite Element Theory for continua.
Recommended: Basic skills in Beam theory and Composite Manufacturing.

  • Fracture Mechanics - 10 ECTS
  • Advanced Metal Fatique or Composite Materials or R&D project - 5 ECTS

Dynamics

The package addresses the need of important knowledge in analytical and numerical solutions of structural dynamics problems. It will provide the students with important skills to simulate and verify dynamics of structures with multiple degrees of freedoms. Simulation will use advanced formulation as discrete element and reduction methods. The Package will give the students insight into current research topics and industrial applications such as wind turbines and vehicles.

​Prerequisites: Basic Dynamics and programming Knowledge

  • Computational Dynamics - 5 ECTS
  • Dynamic Systems with Applications -10 ECTS

Fluid Dynamics

The package addresses the need to deepen students’ knowledge in the analytical and numerical aspects of Fluid Dynamics. It will provide the students with key skills to describe, analyze and simulate fluid flows, ranging from ideal laminar to turbulent regimes. The Package will give the students insight into the state-of-the-art research topics with industrial applications such as aerodynamics design. Wind turbines, pumps, heat exchanges, and bio-fluids.

Prerequisites: Classical Mechanics, Calculus and Linear Algebra, Basic Fluid Mechanics.

  • Computational Fluid Dynamics - 10 ECTS
  • Wind energy or Turbulence - 5 ECTS

A full, or part of a, specialisaton package can be cancelled one year if < 5 students enrolls, but only if the Head of Degree Programme evaluates that suitable alternatives can be offered to the students.


All admissions:

Elective courses

As the 40 ECTS of elective courses you can choose:


1.  Study lines courses

You can select additional study line courses


2. Courses from AU Course catalogue

You can choose courses from other departments at Aarhus University (up to 10 ECTS in total) with approval by head of programme.


You may attend up to 3 bachelor level-courses, with a total maximum of 15 ECTS, during your master education as part of the 40 ECTS elective courses. All study line courses are regarded as master-level courses. A bachelor level-course is typically to be used to ensure you fulfill the required academic prerequisites for master level courses

R&D project (elective course)

The R&D project is an independent, research-based work performed under supervision of a researcher. The project is carried out in a research group at the university and can be in collaboration with a company. The project can be carried out individually or in a small group. A project can be of 5, 10, 15 or 20 ECTS. A student can take a maximum 20 ECTS projects in total, excluding the master thesis.

It is recommended to select a 10 ECTS R&D project on the 3rd semester to get a head start on the topic of the master thesis, but the two projects must, however, have different problem statements. In the thesis, you can refer to your R&D work as you would cite any other research work, yet be aware that you may not plagiarize your own R&D project text in the master thesis.

Thesis

The thesis is prescribed to 30 ECTS.

It is recommended to select a 10 ECTS R&D project on the 3rd semester to get a head start on the topic of the master thesis, but the two projects must, however, have different problem statements. In the master thesis, you can refer to your R&D work as you would cite any other research work, yet be aware that you may not plagiarize your own R&D project text in the master thesis.

Guidelines are available here:

Master´s contract

An individual agreement on the courses in your education is prepared and approved in your study contract.

Once you submit your proposal, your Head of Degree Programme may advice you and will eventually approve your courses:

Changes to an approved study programme can only be made prior to course registration, and the changed contract must once again be approved by your Head of Degree Programme.

Remember awareness of course’s academic prerequisites before listing courses in your contract, which is found in the individual course descriptions: Read more in the AU Course catalouge

Course registration and time tables

Course registration

Once your Master's contract is approved by the Head of degree programme, you must register for the upcomming semester courses at mystudies.au.dk. Course registration periods: (1) Autumn semester courses: 1 – 5 May, (2) Spring semester courses: 1 – 5 November, and (3) master programme study start.


Time tables

Find teaching schedules here: Timeplanner (timetable.au.dk)

Find teaching schedules for

  • Specific courses
  • Your personal timetable, after course registration

Teaching schedules are available two weeks before semester start, for some courses earlier.


Student counselling

For questions on course registration, time tables or filling in the master’s contract template, contact your student counsellor:

If you may need an exemption from regulations, or have personal matters impacting your studies, you can also contact your student counsellor or a student welfare counsellor.

Academic regulations

 

In the academic regulations, you can find more information about the structure of the degree programme, and the requirements for you as a student – including overall educational learning goals and study progression rules.

CONTACT

Student councelling

First point of contact. For questions to educational regulations, study plans, course elections, doubts, exemptions and personal matters affecting studies.

Head of degree programme

Responsible for scientific content of education, including approval of course in study programme.

Degree programme coordinators

Responsible for administrative matters including course and exam registration.