Department -of Engineering
The Department
The Department of Engineering focuses on providing students with an education that prepares them with the knowledge and tools for the future at home and abroad.
This involves providing students with a solid theoretical foundation in mathematics and science and developing skills in applying engineering techniques in various situations. Students can pick from various academic programmes at undergraduate and graduate levels. To achieve a professional qualification as an engineer in Iceland, a student must have earned both a bachelor's and master's degree in engineering.
There is an emphasis on students assessing complex problems, using new technology, and proposing solutions. This is, for example, done through collaboration with companies, three-week courses and internships. The Department of Engineering encourages students to address climate change problems by highlighting sustainability in compulsory and elective courses.
Undergraduate Degree Programmes
Undergraduate degree programmes in the Department of Engineering are taught solely in Icelandic. Several undergraduate courses are taught in English each semester for our visiting exchange students. More information on courses taught in English can be found in the course catalogue.
CDIO
The department participates in CDIO, a collaborative platform of progressive technical universities. CDIO aims to ensure that students develop abilities across the entire process, from conception to implementation. This includes extensive project work, practical projects, and training in communicating ideas and results.
The department is a leader in scientific and multidisciplinary research, providing students at all levels with opportunities to expand their knowledge on a variety of topics.
Dr. ármann gylfason, Chair
Department of Engineering
Research
The Department of Engineering comprises a diverse and productive group of scientists. Their research is in many fields, from complex construction project management to nano research.
Research activities of academics often contribute indirectly to the courses offered but students also have the opportunity to participate in the research directly during undergraduate and graduate studies.
Main research areas
- Operations research
- Risk analysis
- Decision-making processes
- Optimization
- Material sciences
- Applied neuroscience
- Medical technology
- Turbulence
- Earthquake engineering
- Biomechanics
- Speech technology
- Energy processes
- Electrification of transportation
- Power systems management
- Sustainability
- Sleep studies
- Tissue engineering
- Project management
- Microwave technology
- Nano technology
Research Institutes
Research groups, centres, labs, and institutes at RU
Collaboration
The Department of Engineering collaborates with several companies, universities and institutes.
The Medical Technology Centre is a joint initiative between the Reykjavík University and The National University Hospital of Iceland.
Iceland School of Energy offers graduate programmes in sustainable energy with it’s partners Reykjavik Energy (Orkuveitu Reykjavíkur) and ISOR (Íslenskar Orkurannsóknir).
Landsvirkjun and Landsnet are partners and supporters of the Sustainability Institute and Forum (SIF) at RU.
The Department of Engineering also works with numerous companies and institutions on internships and individual research projects.
International Cooperation
In addition to strong research collaborations with international and national universities, the department has worked on double degrees and taught individual courses at universities worldwide.
Employees
The department's staff includes engineers, mathematicians, physicists, life scientists, chemists, and geoscientists. International teachers broaden the department’s horizon with their views and experiences while expanding the RU graduates network.
Department office
Department Chair
Dr. Ármann Gylfason
Contribution
Engineers work on solving societal issues, such as ensuring reliable transportation, providing energy to society, and developing instruments for cancer diagnosis and treatment. However, there is always a possibility that solutions can lead to new issues.
Engineers must, therefore, always keep sustainability in mind and consider the potential effects of their actions. This implies they must be open-minded, seek expert advice in various fields, and be willing to admit and solve mistakes.
This aspect is ingrained in RU engineering education from the first semester on, and all engineering students tackle sustainability in an engineering context in both compulsory and elective courses.
Information for students
Programme rules
Other rules and guidelines
- Samræmdar reglur HR um BSc nám
- Samræmdar reglur HR um meistaranám
- Almennar náms- og námsmatsreglur HR
- Siðareglur HR
- Reglur um verkefnavinnu
- Leiðbeiningar um skýrslur og ritgerðir
Organization
Department Chair
The Department Chair is the department's manager and is accountable to the President for its operations and budget. The Chair is responsible for developing policies and strategies for the department. The Chair makes final decisions on matters concerning student rights and obligations.
Boards and Councils
The Department council advises the department chair on all department operational and professional concerns. The council comprises the heads of academic units, the director of the Curriculum Council, the director of the Research Council, the administrative director, and the chair. It typically meets once a month during the academic year.
The Assessment Committee shall:
- process all exemption requests about academic progress, e.g. study leave, re-enrollments, and deviations from study plans,
- decide upon assessment of prior studies,
- approve changes in programmes of study
Assessment Committee for BSc studies
- Ingunn Gunnarsdóttir, chair
- Magnús Kjartan Gíslason
- Heiðar Ingvi Eyjólfsson
- Sigríður Dröfn Jónsdóttir
Assessment Committee for MSc studies
- Eyjólfur Ingi Ásgeirsson, chair
- Elias August
- Guðrún Sævarsdóttir
- Sóley Davíðsdóttir