Open Entrance (300 credits)

Job opportunities and the future

Open Entrance is intended for those who have a wide interest in natural sciences and engineering, but have not yet decided which engineering degree to take. This programme will provide a broad base for further studies and increase the student’s chances of making the right choice concerning his/her future profession. It makes no difference to future prospects which comes first - the Open Entrance course or a graduate engineering programme. The labour market may have changed at a later stage, depending on which programme is chosen. In general and in the long term, the labour market for engineers is both broad-based and promising.

The programme

This course offers an interesting, broad introduction to KTH engineering programmes. Some courses have been specially developed for Open Entrance, for example a basic course in Mathematics, while others are included in regular KTH course programmes. Courses for the spring term may be chosen from the educational programmes below. The number of places varies. The selection procedure is based solely on Open Entrance results. Before the choice of engineering programme is made, information about the different programmes will be supplied by the relevant programme directors, study advisors and students.

Programmes after Open Entrance at KTH

Open Entrance has, to date, been able to guarantee places on all engineering courses at KTH.

• Biotechnology 300 credits
• Master of Science in Engineering and of Education 300 credits
• Computer Technology 300 credits
• Design and Production 300 credits
• Electrical Engineering 300 credits
• Energy and Environmental Technology (planned start autumn 2010)
• Vehicle Engineering 300 credits
• Industrial Economics 300 credits
• Information Technology 300 credits
• Chemical Science 300 credits
• Mechanical Engineering 300 credits
• Material Design 300 credits
• Medical Technology 300 credits
• Media Technology 300 credits
• Micro Electronics 300 credits
• Urban Management 300 credits
• Engineering Physics 300 credits

Current information on the different programmes may be found at Study at KTH.

Programmes given in Swedish

Open Entrance

The Open Entrance courses are intended to provide a broad introduction to engineering studies and also as smooth a transition as possible to the programmes.

This is the first Open Entrance Mathematics course. It provides a solid foundation for further university studies in mathematics by developing skills in arithmetic ability and logical thinking. The course covers, among other things, calculations using real and complex numbers, analytical plane geometry, elementary functions, logic and proof, induction and recursion and also an introduction to combinatorics.

This course aims to provide computer skills and knowledge of basic computer engineering concepts, both through independent study and also through working in small groups. The course also helps with proficiency in writing well-structured programs and training in solving computer programming problems. Computers and programming are natural tools in the work of an engineer.

This course will reinforce and extend basic knowledge of physics and chemistry. The course also aims to illustrate how important issues that have an impact on the environment can be tackled with the aid of methods and theories from physics, chemistry and mathematics. This especially applies to different kinds of recycling. The course also demonstrates people’s (especially graduate engineers’ ) role in environmental work and gives an introduction to practical methods for registration and observation as well as data collection and data management in physics (“hands-on approach”).

This course is a continuation of the basic mathematics course and comprises analysis in one variable (limits, derivatives and integrals). The course also provides an introduction to linear algebra and the knowledge of vector analysis that is necessary for the course in Mechanics.

This course is held during the spring term. It provides a foundation for further studies in the engineering programme and deals mainly with linear algebra and differential and integral calculus of several variables.

Scientific computing is used in many natural science and engineering applications. One overall goal of this course is to give students an insight into the fact that scientific computing is necessary in order to make reliable and effective simulations of technical and scientific processes. The course deals with methods for solving equations and equation systems, how to best fit a curve with given points, and how to calculate the value of integrals and decide the numerical solution of differential equations. In addition, the course provides know-how in the management of mathematical software to solve technical and mathematical problems, set up numerical experiments and present solutions.

The course is run during the latter part of the spring term. This course, like the Programming Technology and Mathematics courses, is compulsory for most of the engineering programmes. It provides students with knowledge on the basic laws of classical mechanics, the ability to apply these laws to concrete mechanical problems and also insight into the scientific approach. It is naturally connected to the mathematics courses.

It is necessary to select one of these courses. The Engineering Science course shows how Mathematics, in a systematic manner, can be used for the modelling of different processes in reality. Students learn skills such as probability assessment, estimation and dimensional analysis. The course also deals with the development of technology over the years and the role of engineers in society. The Communications course provides an introduction to communication between people in theory and in practice. The course consists of two alternatives; a practical orientation towards technological and scientific writing and a theoretical orientation towards communication, information and media.

Information will be available to all those following the Open Entrance programme concerning whether it is possible to choose an engineering programme and which ones are available. Briefly, the information is structured as follows: during the autumn, brief information about each programme will be available, also possible specialisations, possible careers after completed courses etc. In March, in connection with the Open House at KTH, careers advisors and engineering students on the different programmes will be available. During the spring, the syllabuses for transition to the different engineering programmes will be presented. Before a choice is made, at the end of the spring term, it will be possible to meet the people responsible for these programmes and also the study adviser for the different programmes. Students will also be able to obtain answers to questions before a first choice of programme is made. Other alternatives will also be presented.

If the number of applicants exceeds the number of places, a selection must be made.

1. The number of exam points in the Open Entrance curriculum and timetable.
2. In the case of equal exam points, the selection is based on the average weighted grade.
3. If the average weighted grade is the same, then lots will be drawn.

Degree project

The programme is completed with a degree project. This project works as proof positive that the student has fulfilled the requirements of the Master course. Students will apply all the knowledge they have acquired during their period of study at KTH. The degree project is carried out in connection to the Master Programme, most often during Year 5 and is aimed at providing experience of, under realistic conditions, independently planning, implementation and documentation of a task according to good engineering practice. This project may be carried out at KTH, at a company or abroad. Select your degree project carefully – it may be extremely useful when you are applying for your first job!