Academic regulations for the graduate engineer degree programme in Applied Mechanics 2010 at the Faculty of Science
1. Framework conditions for the academic regulations
2. Structure of the degree programme
3. Individual degree programme disciplines and examinations
4. Rules in the academic regulations
5. Changes to the academic regulations
The academic regulations were prepared by the Board of Studies, Engineering Degree Programmes.
The academic regulations were approved by the Dean of the Faculty of Science on 1 May 2010.
The academic regulations take effect on 1 August 2010.
A completed graduate engineer degree programme provides graduates with the title Master of Science in Engineering (Applied Mechanics), abbreviated to MSc Eng (Applied Mechanics).
The graduate engineer degree programme in Applied Mechanics is a research-based study programme that – based on a qualifying Bachelor’s degree – consists of advanced studies within Applied Mechanics. The graduate engineer degree programme also includes study components from other subject areas, profiling the programme according to the student’s individual interests and desired competence profile.
The graduate engineer degree programmes in Aarhus combine the basic vocational Bachelor of Engineering or Bachelor of Science degree programmes with a two-year research and development-oriented advanced studies programme focusing on the latest development in the fields of technology and science.
The strength of the graduate engineer degree programmes in Aarhus lie precisely in this combination of a strong business-oriented engineering degree programme with a technical science degree programme at the highest academic level. Graduates therefore acquire not only well-documented business skills, but also a high degree of professional knowledge that enables them to continue to develop their engineering skills well after completing their degrees.
Graduate engineers from Aarhus are characterised by having both insight and vision – insight into the basic technical science foundations of their field and the methodologies that develop it, and vision that provides a perspective of the industrial and business-related application possibilities.
These graduates therefore also make up the essential and pivotal link between the research and development environments where knowledge and technology are extended, and the industrial environments where the same knowledge and technology are applied.
The aim of the graduate engineer degree programme is to develop the academic and personal skills the student acquired during the previous Bachelor’s degree programme, so that the graduate engineer:
· obtains qualifications for employment in private and public sector companies and organisations – both in Denmark and abroad – where a high level of expertise in Applied Mechanics is required.
· acquires the necessary prerequisites for further studies, including a PhD degree programme.
Compared with Bachelors, graduate engineers have expanded on their academic knowledge, analytical skills and independence to the extent that the graduate engineer is able to independently apply scientific theory and methodology within the field of Applied Mechanics. By completing the degree programme, the graduate engineer obtains skills in the following overall competence goals:
· The graduate engineer has general knowledge of Applied Mechanics and detailed knowledge of key disciplines, methodologies, theories and concepts within Applied Mechanics.
· The graduate engineer can independently plan, manage and implement projects and apply the results in scientifically relevant decision processes.
· The graduate engineer can assess the applicability and appropriateness of theoretical, experimental and practical methodologies for the analysis and solution of scientific questions and issues.
· The graduate engineer can structure his/her own competence development independently and critically.
· The graduate engineer is able to systematically and critically familiarise himself/herself with new subject areas.
· The graduate engineer can relay and communicate academic questions and issues to both a scientific and a general audience.
· The graduate engineer can collaborate constructively on a scientific basis to solve subject-related issues.
· The graduate engineer has an understanding of and insight into the connection between Applied Mechanics and the other scientific subject areas, and has qualified knowledge regarding the interaction between Applied Mechanics and society at large.
The graduate engineer degree programme in Applied Mechanics amounts to 120 ECTS credits.
The academic regulations for the graduate engineer degree programme in Applied Mechanics are determined in accordance with:
The Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation’s Executive Order no. 814 of 29 June 2010 regarding the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes at universities (the Education Executive Order) with subsequent amendments.
The Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation’s Executive Order no. 864 of 5 July 2007 regarding an amendment to the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes at universities (binding submission deadline for Master’s theses and new Master’s titles) with subsequent amendments.
The Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation’s Executive Order no. 181 of 23 February 2010 regarding admission, etc. to Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes at universities (the Admission Executive Order) with subsequent amendments.
The Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation’s Executive Order no. 857 of 1 July 2010 regarding university degree programme examinations (the Examination Executive Order) with subsequent amendments.
The Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation’s Executive Order no. 250 of 15 March 2007 regarding the marking scale and other assessments of university degree programmes (the Grading Scale Executive Order) with subsequent amendments.
Additional rules relating to degree programmes are available in Aarhus University’s electronic rules and regulations at http://www.au.dk/en/about/administration/index/.
Admission and registration regarding the graduate engineer degree programme in Applied Mechanics take place on a continuous basis. Applications received by 1 June and 20 December ensure admission to the graduate engineer degree programme by mid-August and mid-January, respectively, provided all admission requirements are met.
The following Bachelor’s degrees qualify students for admission to the graduate engineer degree programme in Applied Mechanics:
· A Bachelor of Engineering degree or Bachelor of Science degree in the area of Engineering. These include:
o A Bachelor of Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Engineering College of Aarhus (IHA), the University College – Vitus Bering Denmark (VBD) or the Copenhagen University College of Engineering (IHK)
o A Bachelor of Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Southern Denmark (SDU)
o A Bachelor of Engineering degree in Mechatronics from SDU
o A Bachelor of Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
o A Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree in Production and Construction from DTU
o A Bachelor of Engineering degree in Building and Plant Construction from the Esbjerg Institute of Technology (EIT)
o A Bachelor of Engineering degree specialising in the Design of Mechanical Systems from Aalborg University (AAU)
· Other qualifications can provide admission to the graduate engineer degree programme, provided the university assesses that their level, extent and content correspond to the degrees mentioned above.
· A Bachelor’s degree amounting to at least 60 ECTS credits in Applied Mechanics can qualify the student for admission, provided the combined academic demands regarding the graduate engineer degree programme in Applied Mechanics can be met.
In connection with possible admission, further requirements can be stipulated regarding the composition of the degree programme.
It is a condition that the student’s language skills correspond to a B level in English.
The graduate engineer degree programme in Applied Mechanics qualifies students for admission to the PhD programme in accordance with relevant regulations.
Transitional rules
The study programme for the degree must consist of a combined entity and comply with the following:
· The programme consists of advanced study components in Applied Mechanics that amount to at least 90 ECTS credits.
· The programme consists of Structural Dynamics (5 ECTS credits), Statistical Modelling (5 ECTS credits), Continuum Mechanics and the Finite Element Method 1 and 2 (10 ECTS credits), Applied Mathematics 1 (5 ECTS credits) and Applied Mathematics 2 (5 ECTS credits), as well as three projects equalling 30 ECTS credits altogether.
· The programme must include elective study components that amount to 30 ECTS credits.
· The programme must include a thesis amounting to 30 ECTS credits in the special study area.
· A recommended study programme is available.
The study programme is composed individually under supervision. When composing the degree programme, the individual student’s interests and desired competence profile are taken into account, and this ensures that the academic progression and integrity in the degree programme comply with the requirements of a graduate engineer degree. Approved Bachelor’s courses can be included in the programme to a limited extent.
The study programme must be approved by the Director of Studies prior to commencement.
A detailed description of the degree programme’s course components – including the learning goals, prerequisites and compulsory programme, if applicable – is available for each individual course component under the actual range offered in the Course Catalogue.
Twice a year, prior to course enrolments, the range of education programmes in the Course Catalogue is reviewed and approved. See http://mit.au.dk/coursecatalogue/index.cfm.
Credit and flexibility
The Board of Studies is able to approve credit from a Danish or foreign higher education institution, cf. the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation’s Executive Order no. 867 of 19 August 2004 regarding university degree programme examinations (the Examination Executive Order).
The maximum number of credits a student can obtain for the degree programme, however, is 60 ECTS credits.
Examinations
The method of assessment and examination for the individual courses appears in the course description in the Course Catalogue. The catalogue also indicates the time for the ordinary course examination as well as any re-examination.
The first examination attempt in a course cannot take place during the period for re-examination.
All courses must be completed with one of the following methods of examination:
1. Written examination.
2. Oral examination.
3. Home assignment(s) (written examination).
4. Multiple choice (written examination).
5. Approval of compulsory assignments and/or reports.
6. Active participation in the course. Active participation can be defined as attendance and active involvement in a minimum of 80% of compulsory lessons, seminar contributions, submission (and approval) of compulsory assignments, etc.
7. Combinations of 1–6.
The examination can be with or without the aid of materials.
Information about the materials permitted, including the use of a computer, preparation, etc., is available in the individual course descriptions.
If the university considers it necessary, it can offer special examination conditions for students with a physical or mental disability, and students with similar difficulties, in order to provide such students with the same examination opportunities as other students. It is a requirement that the level of the examination remains unaffected by this offer.
Applications for special examination conditions should be submitted to the Board of Studies no later than four weeks before the start of the examination.
Course enrolment takes place via the self-service facility for students (mit.au.dk).
The registration periods are as follows:
Courses in first and second quarters (autumn): enrolment period 1–15 May
Courses in third and fourth quarters (spring): enrolment period 1–15 November
Students may not enrol in optional courses without prior submission and approval of a study plan that states the expected overall composition of the Master’s degree programme. The Master’s degree programme must be approved by the Director of Studies, and there should subsequently only be enrolments in courses stated in the approved Master’s degree programme.
Examination registration
Students are automatically registered for examination when enrolling in a course.
Students are responsible for checking that the examination registration is correct via the self-service facility for students (mit.au.dk) and at science.au.dk/eksamen (available in Danish only).
Information and guidance regarding examinations at the Faculty of Science are available (in Danish only) at science.au.dk/eksamen. The right to changes is reserved.
Re-examination registration
The time of re-examinations in a course is stated in the course description. Students register for re-examination via the self-service facility (mit.au.dk) during the following periods:
For courses with re-examination after the second quarter, the registration period is 1–15 November
For courses with re-examination after the fourth quarter, the registration period is 1–15 February or 1–15 May
For courses with re-examination in August, the registration period is 1–15 July
Cancellation of examination
Cancellation of an examination takes place via the self-service facility for students (mit.au.dk). The deadline for cancellation of a given examination is one week prior to the first day of examination in the course. If students are late in cancelling, the cancellation is not accepted and an examination attempt is recorded in their study programme.
The examination results are published in the self-service facility for students (mit.au.dk) as soon as they have been recorded.
Illness and other circumstances in connection with an examination
See au.dk/uddannelse/eksamen/ (available in Danish only) for the university’s rules and examination guidelines.
In all major written examinations, regardless of the language used in the examination, the student’s skills in spelling and expression form part of the assessment. The academic content carries the most weight, but skills in spelling and written expression affect the assessment of whether the student meets the overall aims.
The graduate engineer degree programme is concluded with a thesis amounting to 30 ECTS credits. For the Master’s thesis, the student works independently on an academic issue, on completion of which the graduate engineer can:
· identify, define and formulate an academic issue on a scientific basis.
· define and present testable hypotheses within a subject-related topic.
· independently plan and complete a major academic project using the subject’s scientific methodology.
· analyse, critically discuss and put into perspective an academic issue.
· assess, critically analyse and summarise the scientific literature within a defined topic area.
· relay academic results objectively and concisely to a scientific audience.
The thesis is concluded with the student preparing a thesis report that covers the work carried out in connection with the thesis. This report is submitted for assessment and is included in the thesis examination.
As a general rule, the thesis report must be prepared in Danish or English. In all cases, an English summary must be included. The title of the thesis must appear in Danish and English in preparation for the Master’s degree diploma, which is issued in Danish and English. During the period in which they write their thesis, students are affiliated with a main supervisor appointed by the Aarhus School of Engineering (ASE). All academic staff with permanent appointments at the Faculty of Science and ASE can act as main supervisors. Students can be affiliated with a project supervisor in addition to the main supervisor. The project supervisor can be a member of the academic staff at Aarhus University, ASE, another public sector research institution or a private sector research institution/company. In such circumstances, an agreement is drawn up in which the distribution of work between the two supervisors is specified in such a way that the main supervisor ensures that the thesis complies with the applicable norms for theses carried out at ASE. The main supervisor has the formal responsibility for providing academic guidance for the student during the course of writing the thesis, and must take part in the final examination. It is possible to complete the thesis in a group, subject to the agreement of the main supervisor. If the thesis is completed in a group, the thesis report must state which consecutive parts each individual student is responsible for.
A contract is drawn up between the student and the main supervisor on commencement of the thesis. This contract is prepared on a special form and must include:
· Name of the student
· Main supervisor
· Project supervisor, if applicable
· Statement of the task involved in the thesis
· Credits (ECTS)
· Starting date for the thesis
· Submission date for the thesis
· Supervision plan
· Need for resources
· Publication rights
The main supervisor is responsible for making sure that the approved thesis can be completed within the agreed time. The contract is signed by the student and the main supervisor and submitted to the Director of Studies or deputy, who must approve the statement of the task, the supervision plan and the deadline for submission. This deadline can only be changed if unusual circumstances arise that affect the student. If the deadline for submitting the thesis is exceeded, the student is registered as having attempted an examination.
An application for an examination takes place when the thesis contract is entered into. It is not possible to cancel an examination.
If the student does not submit the thesis by the appointed time and thus fails, an altered statement of the task is approved within the same subject, and a new submission deadline of three months is determined. If the student does not submit the thesis within the new deadline and thus fails, a third examination attempt is possible in accordance with the same regulations that apply for the second attempt. The statement of the task and the deadline for the second and third examination attempts must be approved by the Director of Studies. The statement of the task must make allowance for the fact that extra time is provided for the thesis.
The thesis is concluded with an individual examination after submission of the thesis report. The thesis examination consists of a lecture within a selected topic associated with the subject area of the thesis, followed by an oral examination within the topic area of the thesis. The subject of the lecture is agreed between the main supervisor, the project supervisor, if applicable, and the external examiner, and is submitted to the student seven days prior to the examination. The oral examination must be based on the prepared thesis report, as well as the lecture. One hour is set aside for the thesis examination, divided into 30 minutes for each of the two parts of the examination.
The topic area of the thesis is restricted to the literature used, as stated in the reference list for the thesis report or the answer to the thesis assignment.
One single combined mark is awarded in accordance with the Danish 7-point grading scale for the thesis report, lecture and subsequent oral examination. The student’s written expression skills must be included in the assessment. An external censor participates in the examination.
The title of the thesis appears in Danish and English on the Master’s degree diploma.
The thesis examination must take place at Aarhus University.
The thesis examination must be held no later than two months after submission of the thesis report.
Use of computers at examinations
A computer can be used for text processing purposes at written examinations if stated in the course description (the method of examination will be described as a computer examination). For further information (in Danish only), see au.dk/uddannelse/eksamen/pc/.
A computer can also be indicated as permitted material at written examinations, e.g. as a pocket calculator or as a note reference tool. It should be noted that, in such cases, a computer can only be used for the mentioned purposes – i.e. not for text processing, printing or submission. The assignment is written by hand. The conditions for use of a computer in this manner are available (in Danish only) at science.au.dk/eksamen.
Project-oriented training in private sector companies and institutions can form part of the graduate engineer degree programme. The project agreement and formulation are subject to prior approval by the Board of Studies, which also decides on the method of examination for the project-oriented training.
In exceptional circumstances, the Board of Studies can grant exemptions from the rules set out in the academic regulations.
An application for exemption must be submitted to the Board of Studies. If another authority has the power to grant an exemption, the Board of Studies forwards the application to the appropriate authority (e.g. the Dean, Rector or Ministry). An application for exemption must be made in writing, stating reasons, and submitted as soon as possible. For the application to be processed immediately, it must include a precise account of the regulation from which exemption is sought, and what such exemption is intended to achieve (e.g. permission to use special aids, extension of examination time, postponement of time limits). Documentation for the unusual conditions that justify exemption must be enclosed with the application. Normally, no importance is attached to such conditions unless they are documented.
Complaints regarding matters governed by the academic regulations must be submitted to the Board of Studies. A prerequisite for immediate processing is that the complaint must be made in writing, stating reasons.
Complaints regarding examinations, including examination results, must be submitted to the Dean. Students are recommended to contact a student counsellor before submitting a complaint. A complaint must be in writing and specific, stating reasons.
The complaint must be addressed to: Dean of the Faculty of Science, Ny Munkegade 120, Building 1521, 8000 Aarhus C
The complaint must reach the Faculty of Science no later than 14 days after publication of the examination results.
See also au.dk/uddannelse/eksamen for university rules and examination guidelines (in Danish only).
Guidelines for degree programme rules
Acts and executive orders relating to education are available in the electronic rules and regulations of Aarhus University at http://www.au.dk/en/about/administration/index/.
The study programme for the graduate engineer degree is individually planned under the supervision of ASE. The study programme must be approved by the Director of Studies prior to commencement. Follow-up of the approved study programme takes place at half-yearly status discussions between the student and the degree programme coordinator.