Masters in Structural Mechanics

Work with advanced product development in coordinated processes and predict and optimise performance using virtual and physical modelling.

The programme makes you qualified in several specific areas within product development. A degree leads to professional roles in advanced product development or research in mechanical engineering.

Advanced product development with several dimensions

The programme prepares you to work with advanced product development or to conduct research in mechanical engineering. After completing the degree, you will master a coordinated way of working where you combine elements and subprocesses in a systematic and developing process.

A diversity of tasks – a diverse competence

During the programme, you will work with a multitude of tasks – virtual and physical modelling, simulation, experimental investigation and optimisation. You acquire a solid basis for working with performance prediction and ensuring that new products achieve their intended function, using your specialised knowledge in mathematics, numerical calculation methods, measurement technology, analysis of vibrations, and acoustics and fracture mechanics.

The programme consists of 120 credits and leads to a two-year Master’s degree.

This programme will give you the tools you need to use a coordinated approach to analysis for decision support in the product development process. The working method includes the sub-moments of virtual and physical modelling, simulation and experimental investigation and optimisation.

The method of working may, in brief, be described as follows:

Virtual models for descriptions of interesting product qualities and behaviours are developed, verified, and used for simulation of the functionality of the system. These virtual models are also used to construct and design good physical models and measurement strategies.

To validate the virtual models, the simulation results are compared with experimental results from investigations on the delimited physical models developed in parallel, and/or with experiences from previous development.

The process is repeated until sufficient correspondence is reached, and simulation with the virtual model can then be used for optimisation. If the optimisation indicates a need for changes that affect the relevance of the model in question, the whole process will be repeated.

If necessary, more detailed descriptions are gradually added to the model during the ongoing development of the analysed product. When developing a completely new product, several trials are usually required. When a new version of a product is developed, previous experience can largely be reused.

To get the most out of this study programme, you must study relevant research and increase your ability to use modern tools for visualisation and documentation to communicate your own contributions with scientific facts.