Engineering Design (120 credits)

The main objective of the programme is to educate engineers with excellent technical and organizational skills in development and engineering of complex and heterogenous technical products. Students who graduate from the programme will possess:

* ability to perform innovative and professional product development
* good theoretical skills in product modelling, analysis and design,
* ability to approach and solve complex engineering tasks,
* experience of project work and teamwork,
* experience of working in an international environment, and
* ability to communicate effectively.

The programme is a joint effort by several areas of competence, providing leading expertise in their respective areas of research. The Department of Machine Design coordinates the programme and contributes with a majority of the courses.

Programme outline

The structure of the programme consists of a set of courses to enhance basic skills as well as to give an introduction to various aspects of engineering design. The basic courses are compulsory and constitute about one third of the course work. Adaptation courses to be selected are grouped together in four different packages corresponding to a further specialisation in the direction of one of the three tracks: Machine design (MKN), Mechatronics (MTK), or Internal combustion engines (FMT).

Finally, there is a Master's thesis project corresponding to 30 ECTS (see below).

Course overview

Each Track has a set of compulsory courses forming the basic curriculum (see links below). Students also take elective courses (of their own choosing) alongside.

Machine Design Track (spår Maskinkonstruktion)

Development of competitive products relies on individuals with high competence in systems engineering, human ergonomics, and component engineering.

Students in the Machine design track in the Engineering Design Master programme, are trained to create, select, dimension, optimise and verify cost-effective technical quality products, with an efficient aid and support from industrially relevant and state-of-the-art tools and methods. Development and engineering design of competitive products and components relies on a holistic approach as well as on specialist knowledge. Realisation of world-class machines requires model-based development and computer-tools for choosing proper materials and manufacturing methods for the components, and optimising the entire system and making it more insensitive to variation i product properties, human treatment and operational and environmental conditions.

Students may develop an individual profile in systems engineering, component engineering design, manufacturing technology or modelling methodology.

Course structure: Track Machine design (MKN)

Mechatronics Track (spår Mekatronik)

The Mechatronics track gives knowledge on how novel machines and devices with important electronic and software components are designed.
The focus is to develop creative and innovative solutions in a product development context.

New and improved functions are implemented by combining mechanical design, sensors, actuators, control and embedded computer systems, including programming and electronics. Innovative and intelligent products are created by developing knowledge and abilities in motion control, robotics, embedded systems, real-time programming, and distributed systems.

Students may develop an individual profile in medical mechatronics, vehicle mechatronics, robot technology, etc.

Course structure: Track Mechatronics (MTK)

Internal Combustion Engines Track (spår Förbränningsmotorteknik)

Students in the Internal combustion engines track in the Engineering Design Master programme, learns to apply engines for energy transformation in vehicle transmission systems, with an efficient aid and support from industrially relevant and state-of-the-art tools and methods.

Development and engineering of competitive transmissions relies on a holistic approach as well as on specialist knowledge. Realisation of world-class vehicle transmission systems requires model-based development and computer-tools for optimising the system, and individuals with specialist competence in combustion, emissions and knowledge of thermo- and fluidmechanical phenomena.

Students may develop an individual profile in machine engineering, energy and environment, control technology, or flow mechanics.

Course structure: Track Internal combustion engines (FMT)

Master’s thesis (Degree project)

The thesis project is supervised by an experienced researcher and can be performed in an industrial setting or in an academic environment. Each student is encouraged to actively search for a suitable thesis project in industry, and KTH will provide some information on suitable points of contact. If you are an exchange student, we recommend that you find a thesis project in your country of permanent residence or in the country where you intend to start your professional career.

Career prospects

Engineering Design will give you key expertise that can be applied in many different industries and sectors. The programme’s strong connection between theory and practice provides a good foundation for future careers in many technical fields.

The Machine Design track (MKN) gives you technical competence and abilities to identify complex engineering and technical problems, and to solve them using modern methods and computer support tools. You will be well prepared to work in product development, engineering design or research within leading companies.

The Mechatronics track (MTK) targets industries and sectors such as vehicles (road, rail, air, off-road), industrial automation (robotics, processes, electronics, tools), and medical engineering (aids for the disabled, life-support systems, simulators).

The Internal Combustion Engines track (ICE) covers a broad range of topics in depth, allowing you to combine expert knowledge with a breadth of understanding that will give you the competitive edge.