Structural and Mechanical Engineering - Master of Science Degree Programme

The master's programme provides expertise and advanced knowledge, skills and general competence in mechanical and structural engineering and material technology. Graduated students will have a background in engineering science and basic engineering subjects. The students will be able to apply this knowledge within their area of specialisations. The students will be qualified to participate and manage the development and implementation of new technology, methods and principles.

Candidates with a master’s degree in Structural and Mechanical Engineering will be qualified for many attractive jobs in civil engineering structures, production and manufacturing industries, mechanical systems, renewable energy projects and offshore industries. Within the two-year master's programme, students can immerse themselves in mechanical systems, renewable energy, civil engineering structures or offshore structures.

The master's programme is an international study programme, and all courses are taught in English.

Programme content, structure and composition

Consisting of 120 ECTS, the master's programme is composed of:

• basic methods courses which consolidate and continue the mathematical and scientific foundation of the bachelor's programme, mandatory courses
• technical specialisation courses giving the students a broad and common platform in marine and offshore technology and complementing and expanding subjects from the bachelor programme
• elective courses
• non-science/technological course, e.g. economics, language, ethics, project management, green transition
• master's thesis

The master’s programme currently has two specialisations:

• Mechanical Engineering
• Structural Engineering

Students who choose the Mechanical Engineering specialisation have elective courses which provide more specialised learning outcomes in mechanical systems and renewable energy respectively.

Students who choose the Structural Engineering specialisation have elective courses which provide more specialised learning outcomes in civil engineering structures and offshore structures respectively.

The master’s thesis can be conducted either at the Department or in cooperation with the industry. Many students base their master’s thesis on practical projects in various industries. In order to be assigned a suitable and relevant topic for the master's thesis, satisfactory progression must be demonstrated as cited in “Regulations for master’s thesis”. Project proposals for the master’s thesis should be formally pre-approved by an academic staff member of the mechanical and structural engineering groups at the Department.

The University of Stavanger aims to offer all its courses as planned, but courses still must be subjected to availability of resources and the minimum student enrolment. In addition, the content and scope of courses will change over time due to changes in professional environment, use of new technology, new practices and theories, and general changes in the society.

Teaching methods include a combination of lectures, projects, compulsory and voluntary exercises and laboratory work. The following are stated in the individual course descriptions:

• Teaching and learning methods
• Curricular, compendiums and literature
• Evaluation criteria
• Examination criteria

Through our master's programme in Structural and Mechanical Engineering, we aim to directly address several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our program specialisations aligns mainly with:

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

Structural Engineering:

• Address the design and construction of essential infrastructure required for economic development and innovation. For example, bridges, buildings, and other critical infrastructure projects, helping to create a more connected and sustainable world.

Mechanical Engineering:

• Development of sustainable industrial processes and innovative products
• Design machinery for safe work life

SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production

Structural Engineering:

• Educate students on sustainable urban development and efficient construction practices, promoting responsible consumption and production in the built environment.

Mechanical Engineering:

• design machines and systems that use resources more efficiently and reduce waste.

SDG 13: Climate Action

Structural Engineering:

• Learn about integrating climate-resilient design principles, green infrastructure, and sustainable construction practices, helping to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Mechanical Engineering:

• Create sustainable and efficient technologies to reduce the carbon footprint of various industries and products

Learning outcomes

After having completed the master’s programme in Structural and Mechanical Engineering, the student shall have acquired the following learning outcomes, in terms of knowledge, skills and general competences:

Knowledge

K1: The candidate has advanced knowledge in the analysis, design and maintenance of engineering structures and specialised insight depending on the choice of specialisation (i.e., Mechanical Engineering or Structural Engineering).

K2: A candidate with a course package in mechanical systems has a thorough knowledge of design, modelling, analysis and manufacturing of mechanical components/systems, microstructure and properties of metallic materials, corrosion and corrosion protection. A candidate with a course package in renewable energy has a thorough knowledge on design, wind and wave energy conversion systems, passive energy systems, energy conversion efficiency, and business models involving renewable energy, energy systems interaction, sustainable city development and climate change.

A candidate who specialises in structural engineering has a thorough knowledge of non-linear static/dynamic analysis, environmental loads, fatigue, accidental limit state designs, material technology, concrete structures, concrete technology, structural integrity, and life extensions.

K3: The candidate has basic knowledge he/she can use for research and development work in mechanical and structural engineering.

K4: The candidate has knowledge on general ethical aspects in the engineering discipline.

Skills

S1: The candidate can apply existing theories, methods and scientific insight in the field and work independently to solve practical and theoretical problems.

S2: The candidate has higher order skills in analysis, critical evaluation, or professional application and the ability to solve complex problems and think rigorously and independently.

S3: The candidate can analyse and deal critically with various sources of information and use them to structure and formulate scholarly arguments. The candidate can identify state of the art for the technology as well as relevant national and international standards within relevant disciplines.

S4: The candidate can use independently relevant knowledge for research and professional development in field.

S5: The candidate can carry out an independent, limited research or development project under supervision and in accordance with applicable norms for research ethics.

General Competence

G1: The candidate can analyse relevant academic problems and be qualified to participate in developing and implementing new technology, methods and principles for the analysis, design and maintenance activities in specialised discipline (i.e., mechanical systems, renewable energy systems, civil engineering structures and offshore structures).

G2: The candidate can apply their knowledge and skills in new areas in order to carry out advanced tasks and projects.

G3: The candidate can communicate extensive independent work and master language and terminology of the academic field.

G4: The candidate can communicate on academic issues, analyses and conclusions in the field, with both the specialists and the public.

G5: The candidate can contribute to new thinking and innovation processes.

Career prospects

The programme qualifies the graduates for a broad range of positions in private industry and public organisations. Since the core of the master's programme consists of commonly applicable principles and methods, graduate students can qualify for many attractive job positions in the area of mechanical and structural engineering and materials technology in offshore and civil engineering industries, renewable energy projects, production and manufacturing industries and a diverse range of mechanical operations.

There will always be a need of buildings, roads, bridges, materials, machinery, production and manufacturing processes wind/wave and solar energy systems. Graduates will therefore be attractive in the industry and in the international job market.

Many will also have interesting job opportunities within research, education, or in public sector devoted to control, regulation and law enforcement of industrial sectors.

A completed master's degree with a minimum average grade B for courses and grade A or B for the master's thesis, may qualify for admission to the PhD programme in Offshore Technology at the University of Stavanger. Graduates are eligible to apply for relevant PhD programmes at other universities.

Course assessment

Schemes for quality assurance and evaluation of studies are stipulated in Quality System for Education.