MSc in Mechanical Engineering

Overview

Mechanical engineering is concerned with the transfer of mass and energy.  As such it is a broad field of study with applications ranging from the design and manufacture of microscale electromechanical devices to the building and operation of powerplants capable of delivering gigawatt output.  Mechanical engineering skills are essential in the fields of robotics, automation and control.  Mechanical engineers design gas turbine engines and generators based on their knowledge of thermodynamics, fluid flow and advanced materials.  Mechanical engineering offers an excellent opportunity to explore scientific questions such as the nature of turbulent flow; to work on advanced devices such as autonomous vehicles; to develop novel manufacturing and fabrication methods and to design industrial processes and energy delivery systems.  A degree in mechanical engineering is a springboard for intellectual stimulation and professional development.  There are two main fields of study offered by the school:  Mechanical design and mechatronics; and thermal science and fluids.

Mechanical design and mechatronics:

Students that focus on mechanical design and mechatronics will acquire knowledge and skills in modern mechanical design, with an emphasis on the integration of mechanical functionality with electronics and automation.  The hallmarks of this program are a sound theoretical knowledge, good engineering practice and practical design and experimentation.  Dynamics, design and signal processing are the core constituents of this focus field, but students have the option to further add courses ranging from mathematics, computer science and electronics to the mechanics of materials and thermal sciences.

Thermal science and fluids:

Students in this focus field study the transfer of mass and energy.  Core courses include partial differential equations, advanced fluid mechanics, heat transfer and computational methods.  The emphasis here is on good theoretical knowledge, analysis and practical applications of thermodynamics and fluid dynamics.  Students may also elect a number of courses pertaining to harnessing energy and industrial processes.

Career options

A graduate of mechanical engineering has three main options: 1) Get employment within industry, 2) start a company or 3) continue studies towards a research degree.  All options are encourged within Reykjavik University.  Mechanical engineers are highly employable and sought after by industry.  They can be found in various industrial- and management positions within companies that work on everything from prosthetics to power companies and heavy industry.

Courses

*Elective for Mechanical Design and Mechatronics only
+Elective for Thermal Science and Fluids only

Further Information
Kristín Kristinsdóttir, Graduate Administrator, kristinkri(at)ru.is
Sigurður Ingi Erlingsson, Department Head, sie(at)ru.is