Department of Applied Engineering
Reykjavik University’s Department of Applied Engineering focuses on the practical application of new knowledge. Faculty members integrate professional teamwork into their courses, and students complete a wide range of projects that they design, build, and test themselves. This hands-on approach prepares students for a workplace where both interpersonal skills and technical expertise are key to a rewarding and successful career. Most courses in the Department of Applied Engineering are offered at the diploma or BSc level and are taught in Icelandic.
The Department of Applied Engineering is part of Reykjavik University's School of Technology, where Dr. Ólafur Eysteinn Sigurjónsson serves as the dean. The Department Chair is Ásgeir Ásgeirsson.
If you are interested in combining your professional knowledge, ingenuity and project planning, then you should consider studying in the Faculty of Industrial and Technical Sciences because there are many opportunities available today, e.g. in energy exchange, in the construction industry or innovation.
Ásgeir Ásgeirsson, CHAIR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED ENGINEERING
Certified Profession
Graduates of the BSc in Applied Engineering earn the title of Certified Engineer, while graduates of the BSc in Constructing Architecture receive the title of Constructing Architects. Students completing a diploma in Technology are awarded the title of Technicians.
The Department of Applied Engineering continuously refines its teaching methods, ensuring that programs evolve in response to the changing demands of the labor market.
The CDIO Network
The Department of Applied Engineering is a member CDIO. The CDIO™ INITIATIVE is an innovative educational framework for producing the next generation of engineers. The framework provides students with an education stressing engineering fundamentals set in the context of Conceiving — Designing — Implementing — Operating (CDIO) real-world systems and products. Throughout the world, CDIO Initiative collaborators have adopted CDIO as the framework of their curricular planning and outcome-based assessment.
Participation in CDIO involves consultation between universities, industry, and professional associations. According to its guiding philosophy, future technical professionals are provided with a strong academic foundation and, in addition, engage in practical projects and group-based problem-solving. Students become familiar with the process from concept and design to implementation and operation when they enter the workforce.
What does this mean for students?
Academic Knowledge and Practical Training Combined
Educating certified engineers requires balancing two often opposing perspectives. On one hand, students must acquire comprehensive scientific knowledge to become skilled specialists. On the other, they need to understand complex systems, apply theoretical concepts in practice, and develop strong communication skills to collaborate effectively with other experts.
Employers expect certified engineers to have excellent communication skills and the ability to analyse complex projects, identify key factors and constraints, design effective solutions, and implement them successfully. Students develop these essential competencies throughout their studies, supported by the CDIO approach, which integrates academic foundations with hands-on problem-solving.
History of CDIO - Forward-Thinking Technical Universities and Industry Collaboration with Boeing and Volvo
Engineering education programs throughout much of the 20th century offered students plentiful hands-on practice: Accomplished and experienced engineers taught courses that focused on solving tangible problems. But as the century progressed and scientific and technical knowledge expanded rapidly, engineering education evolved into the teaching of engineering science. Teaching engineering practice was increasingly de-emphasized.
As a result, industry in recent years has found that graduating students, while technically adept, lack many abilities required in real-world engineering situations. Major companies created lists of abilities they wanted their engineers to possess (e.g. Boeing's Desired Attributes of an Engineer). Faced with the gap between scientific and practical engineering demands, the educators took up the challenge to reform engineering education. The result of the endeavor is the worldwide CDIO Initiative.
Universities in the CDIO Network include:
- MIT - Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- DTU - Technical University of Denmark
- Chalmers University of Technology
- KTH - Royal Institute of Technology
- Aalborg University
- Delft University of Technology
- University of Sydney
- Beijing Jiaotong University
Research at the Department of Applied Enginering
Two permanent academic staff members at the Department of Applied Engineering conduct research alongside their teaching responsibilities:
- Eyþór Rafn Þórhallsson, head of the SEL Research Center
- Ólafur Haralds Wallevik, head of the IBRI Center
SEL Research Center
The Center of Structural Engineering and Composites Laboratory (SEL) is a research center within the Department of Applied Engineering, specialising in construction-related research.
The center contains equipment and facilities to support research and teaching in structural engineering, earthquake engineering, stress analysis, soil mechanics, geology, transportation engineering and surveying, environmental quality, and hydraulics.
Eyþór’s research explores the use of basalt fiber materials in structural components, both as internal reinforcement and as a strengthening material for older structures. Additionally, ongoing research investigates the application of cross-laminated timber (CLT) elements in the construction industry.
Learn more about research within SEL
On the IRIS website, which serves as a new platform for all research conducted at universities and institutions, you can find information on the research activities within the Department of Applied Engineering.
Collaboration with the Business Community
Students in the Department of Applied Engineering benefit from the expertise of experienced scientists, technical specialists, designers, and a large network of part-time lecturers with industry-specific knowledge. Each semester, around 70 part-time lecturers contribute to teaching in the department. Faculty members at Reykjavik University maintain strong connections with students and close ties to the industry, ensuring a dynamic and relevant learning environment.
Guest Lecturers
In addition to full-time faculty and part-time lecturers, students have the opportunity to attend guest lectures in various courses. These lectures are delivered by industry professionals, leading scientists from Iceland and abroad, and even government ministers, providing valuable insights into current industry trends and challenges.
Practical Projects in Courses
Students engage in real-world projects in collaboration with companies and institutions throughout their studies. This applies to various courses in Constructing Architechture and Applied Engineering —both mandatory and elective—as well as final-year projects. These hands-on experiences mirror the practical challenges engineers face in their careers and prepare students for professional problem-solving.
Internships
The department has partnerships with approximately 40 companies and institutions, offering students the opportunity to participate in internships. These internships typically span 12 weeks, with students dedicating one to two workdays per week to gain industry experience.
Internships provide significant benefits for both students and companies. The key objectives include:
- Strengthening students’ industry connections
- Enhancing understanding of professional fields
- Gaining hands-on experience in solving real-world challenges under expert guidance
- Applying engineering methods to practical projects
- Developing independent problem-solving skills and taking responsibility for their own learning and professional growth
- Cultivating a systematic approach to design, analysis, and research projects
Many students receive short- or long-term job offers as a direct result of their internships.
Final Projects
In their final semester, students in Applied Engineering, Constructing Architecture, and Technology complete a final project tailored to their specialisation. Many of these projects are conducted in collaboration with industry partners, allowing students to apply their expertise to real-world challenges before graduation.
Professional Councils
The Department of Applied Engineering has established Professional Councils to support curriculum development. These advisory councils consist of 3-4 industry professionals and provide valuable insights to ensure the department's programs remain aligned with industry needs. There are four councils, each focusing on different engineering disciplines: civil engineering, electrical & energy engineering, mechanical engineering, and constructing architecture.
The role of professional councils is as follows:
- Consultation on the creation of policies and future visions for the relevant field.
- Emphasizing job-related skills with suggestions for practical projects.
- To be informed about the department's studies.
- Linking skills to learning criteria so that students are trained in the practical
application of knowledge as well as applying innovation to make them more capable
of dealing with changes in the labor market. - Emphasis on training students to connect theory, research and experience when
solving projects.
Chair
Ásgeir Ásgeirsson
Chair of the Department of Applied Engineering
Faculty
Expertise and Experience
Students in the Department of Applied Engineering benefit from the guidance of renowned scientists, technical experts, and designers within the university, as well as a large network of part-time lectureres with specialised industry experience. Faculty members at Reykjavik University maintain close relationships with students and have strong industry connections, ensuring a practical and relevant education.
The department has 17 permanent staff members and collaborates with over 70 part-time lectureres who teach courses each semester.
Department Office
The Department of Applied Engineering Office is located on the third floor of HR, in Venus. The office staff provides assistance with various academic matters, including program selection, evaluation of prior studies, and student inquiries.
General inquiries can be directed to: tfd@ru.is
Department Chair
Programme Directors
Programme Directors are responsible for teaching and the development of
study programmes within the relevant field.
- Aldís Ingimarsdóttir - Civil engineering
- Guðmundur Kristjánsson - Electrical engineering
- Indriði Sævar Ríkharðsson - Mechanical engineering
- Jens Arnljótsson - Diploma in Technology
- Viggó Magnússon - Construction Architecture
Civil Engineering
Applied Electrical Engineering
Applied Mechanical Engineering
Other faculty
Organisation
Department Meetings
Department Meetings
The Department Meeting is attended by all permanent staff members of the department, along with a representatives from the student organization Technis. The department meeting serves as a forum for mutual exchange of information regarding departmental matters. Department meetings are held monthly during the academic year.
Committees and Councils
Department Council, composed of the Department Chair, the Administrative
Director, Programme Directors and the Director of Technology diplomas. The
Department Council performs the role of the Programme Council and Research
Council when needed according to RU rules. The Department Council usually meets
twice a month.
The Department Council is responsible for discussing matters related to the administration of the department, as well as major decisions on teaching and research. Additionally, the council proposes amendments to department rules and regulations as needed.