Mechanical Engineering - Innovation and Industrial Design (180 credits)

Job opportunities and the future

In order to develop competitive products, it is essential to possess knowledge on design, product development and the production process, as well as understanding the market’s needs and desires. Graduates of this programme may work, for example, in product development with emphasis on industrial design and construction, or with project management.

The programme

This programme provides broad, multi-disciplinary competence. Students study basic engineering subjects and learn to use computer-based tools in order to train up their creativity using the KTH design studio and model workshop. They also learn to formulate and present their ideas and solutions and in order to identify new ways and approaches to solving problems. A considerable part of this programme is run in project form, some projects in cooperation with product development companies. In Year 3 students have the opportunity to choose programme profile. Depending on their interests, their choice is between the first stages of the product development process - designing and styling - or the more classical construction tasks as represented by the later stages of the product development process. Students carry out a degree project of approximately 10 weeks, normally in a company. On graduation there are many choices available. Students may begin work or continue their studies on a one or two-year Master programme in Sweden or abroad. KTH’s Innovation and Design programme was voted the Engineering Course of the Year in 2004 by technical and engineering companies.

Year 1

The overall objective of this course is to provide insight into the educational area, what it means to work as an engineer as well as knowledge on engineering working methods. The course also includes a project.

The Materials and Production course brings knowledge on construction material and production methods within industry, as well as the connection between choice of materials and choice of production methods, taking financial and environmental aspects into consideration. This knowledge will then be utilised in the following course.

This course provides students with further knowledge of construction materials and production methods. Their knowledge is then applied in a project in which students solve a problem within the fields of material and production engineering.

Computer-Based Design Tools provides basic knowledge on, and skills in, the use of a modern solid modelling tool (3D-CAD). In addition tools for presenting and visualising products and concepts are introduced.

The course Mathematics I provides the necessary knowledge of mathematical analysis and algebra for students to use on the other courses in the programme.

This course will provide basic knowledge on the laws of mechanics plus solid mechanics and the opportunity to apply these to practical problems.

The Programming course brings basic knowledge on how problems are restructured into sub-problems, insights into a commercial programming language plus training in how to transform problems into programming code.

This is the programme's first profile course and students gain basic knowledge of working methods within product development from sketch to model. The course also includes basic sketching techniques and model construction.

Year 2

In Applied Mathematics, students learn to transform simple dynamics problems into differential equations and solve them manually or using mathematics programmes. This course also provides the basics within statistics and probability theory.

The overall objective of this course is to provide a broad approach to sustainable development and its application in the professional role of the engineer. Focus is on the threats and opportunities the world's lifestyle and technical development may pose for sustainable development. Knowledge is also applied in a project.

This course provides the preconditions for utilising electrical engineering and opportunities to apply digital engineering, control engineering and microprocessors in integrated mechanical systems. The course also provides knowledge on control principles and components used within mechanical application areas.

The importance of personal and professional development in the professional operational role is emphasised here. This is vital as the engineers of the future also need knowledge within areas other than the merely technical.

This course covers basic traditional company finances, organisational theory, calculations, financing, accounting and marketing.

This course provides knowledge of the basic laws of dynamics and hydromechanics and students practise on practical mechanical problems.

Students learn how to plan and implement the first stages of the product development process. Students gain an understanding of the foundations of the innovation process such as market contact, product concepts, concept and decision models.

This course provides knowledge on common mechanical elements and their characteristics and trains up skills in making approximations when calculating and how to select mechanical elements in construction activities. Application of knowledge gained in this and the Innovation and Design Methods course occurs in the form of a joint project.

Year 3

In their final year students have the opportunity to go deeper within the area they find most interesting. Currently on offer are elective courses with specialisations concerning:
• Design
• Construction

The programme is concluded with a degree project of 10 weeks (15 credits).

This course provides an overview of ergonomics and its importance in product development. Knowledge is applied in a project.

This project course is run in cooperation with an industrial company and is aimed at providing knowledge and training in industrial product development, teamwork, project planning, project management and creative and reflective thinking.

This course provides knowledge of the manufacture and assembly adaptation of products. Students also learn to select the correct manufacturing and assembly methods for products, taking into consideration quality requirements and manufacturing economics.

This course extends skills in structured building of 3D models, with a specialisation towards the design phase using different computer-based tools. It includes exercises in the production of printed and digital presentation material and practice in the establishment of physical prototypes from digital models using, for example, free design technique.

Students learn additional knowledge about working methods within industrial design. They gain insights into the demands users place on the product and learn analysis methods for this purpose. Typography , graphical design, documentation and presentation techniques are also included.

This course brings more in-depth knowledge in the subject, for example three-dimensional tension, crack development and metal fatigue.

When this course has been completed students will understand the use and limitations of 3DCAD as well as the basics of FE analyses, i.e. calculating deformation and stresses using CAD tools.

This course provides training in the solution of more reality-adapted dynamics problems. As it is not always possible to solve these analytically, computer simulations are also used.

Provides students with basic knowledge on light and acoustics within product development.

Degree project

The programme is concluded with a degree project of 15 credits (equivalent of approximately 10 weeks of study). Normally students carry out their degree projects in pairs. The aim is for students to use and demonstrate the knowledge and skills they have acquired during their studies. This requires the students to be able to use good engineering practices and also to be able to report on their work in a professional manner. Students are themselves responsible for identifying suitable degree projects. The aim is that they carry out this project within business/industry or in the public sector. Students are afforded the opportunity to make valuable contacts and build up a network to use in their future professional careers. The degree project is generally experienced as fun as well as stimulating and brings many challenges and high level quality requirements from both the School and the employer. A good degree project provides the preconditions for success as an engineer.

Continued studies

Graduates enjoy several opportunities for continued studies. They may choose to continue their studies on a one or two-year Master programme (60-120 credits) – there are many to choose from at KTH. These are taught through the medium of English and are open to international students which enables exciting international contacts. Students may also choose to apply to join the final two years of a Master of Science in Engineering programme within the same or a closely-related engineering field (often this requires additional courses in order to qualify). Contact a student counsellor for more information. These courses normally cover 120-150 credits (2-2.5 years of study).