Vehicle Engineering (300 credits)

Job opportunities and the future

This is a prize-winning educational programme that provides students with a strong position on the international labour market. Society’s needs for efficient, reliable and comfortable transport is increasing at the same time as it is clear that their environmental impact must be radically reduced. As a Master of Science in Engineering in Vehicle Engineering, graduates will be working with one of the future’s most important and interesting issues.

The challenge lies in ensuring that many different factors collaborate: stability, strength, safety, comfort and environmental friendliness. This requires a combination of creative thinking and advanced calculations.

The labour market is extremely broad. Many graduates work, naturally, with the development of cars, trucks, planes, vessels, trains and space vehicles, but many also work in other business areas including positions as development engineers, researchers, consultants, project managers and managers, in Sweden and abroad.

The programme

Vehicle Engineering is a unique educational programme only available at KTH. Students come from all over the country. The programme is demanding and also brings extensive opportunities for exchange studies abroad. Students undertake a broad Master of Science in Engineering programme with its focus on applications within the vehicle engineering field.

The programme contains a combination of basic subjects such as mathematics and mechanics, and more applied engineering arts. Initially the theoretical courses dominate  but students work with practical projects from Year 1. The programme is organised in accordance with the CDIO model which was developed in an international cooperation project which included the KTH Vehicle Engineering programme and several others including MIT. CDIO (conceive, design, implement, operate) brings a well-considered holistic approach to the entire programme and places it in its context. Students practise communicating in Swedish and English, working in and managing projects.

Vehicle Engineering was awarded the title of Excellent Educational Environment by the Swedish National Agency for Higher Education in 2007, a stamp of quality that guarantees that students are able to gain the best education they can during their years of study.

This five-year educational programme is divided into a Bachelor element of three years and then a Master’s course of the final two years where more in-depth studies are undertaken. This makes the programme extremely attractive internationally. Project-oriented and problem-based courses using current applications and close research links characterise the final two years of study.

Year 1

In Year 1 students mostly take courses within mathematics, physics and basic engineering.

Perspectives on vehicle engineering

Here students come into early contact with engineering tasks in the vehicle field. This is necessary if they are to understand the structure of the programme and how the courses hang together. A course to challenge students’ creativity!

Mathematics including numerical methods and programming

Mathematics is a vital tool for an engineer and the first mathematics courses deal with linear algebra and differential and integral calculus of one or multi-variables. Students also learn how to solve mathematical problems numerically and how to use mathematical software for calculations in technical problems, to make numerical experiments and to present solutions.

Physics

This course includes the most important concepts in connection with electrical and magnetic fields as well as mechanical and electromagnetic waves. Students also receive training in analysing, formulating and solving simpler problems.

Mechanics I

This course deals with the laws of nature governing time, space, matter and movement as well as how they are applied practically.

Year 2

In Year 2 focus is on engineering subjects. In the autumn term students undertake a project in which they use their knowledge gained from mechanics I and II, solid mechanics and product development. There are also strong connections between the differential equations and sound and vibration courses and between those in fluid mechanics and thermodynamics.

Solid mechanics

Students learn to analyse and assess construction proposals in connection with product development. The course covers solid mechanics concepts and principles, construction materials’ mechanical characteristics and methods for solving important problems.

Mechanics II

Mechanics II deals with the basic laws of classical mechanics and forms the groundwork for other areas of physics. Students learn to apply these laws to practical mechanical problems including the construction and analysis of mathematical models, using both analytical methods and computer technology.

Product development

This course covers the various parts of the product development process, from concept to finished product. Students undertake a larger-scale project which is reported both in a technical report and at a seminar. The course also includes machine elements, construction, production, material selection, ergonomics and CAD.

Thermodynamics

Students learn to apply laws and processes for energy transformation, especially in engines for cars, vessels and planes. They also cover thermodynamic calculations relevant to vehicle engineering and learn to explain the resource utilisation that occurs during the energy transformation processes.

Differential equations

Differential equations describe how quantities change in time and space, which is vital to many technical applications. Here students learn different methods for the solution differential equations.

Liquid mechanics

This course provides knowledge on basic fluid mechanics principles and laws. Students also learn to apply these to interesting physical and technical problems.

Sound and vibrations

This course provides the knowledge and skills necessary for calculations, qualitative assessments and experimental operations within the sound and vibrations field. Primarily everything is connected to being able to design quieter and more vibration-free vehicles, machines, processes and environments. In addition, a project is included in which students design, analyse, build and test a silencer.

Year 3

In the autumn term of Year 3 students study mathematical statistics, electrical engineering, signals and mechanical systems and automatic control. These courses provide knowledge which can then be used to, for example, develop vehicles and vehicle steering systems. In the spring term students take a course in FEM (Finite Element Method) and one in optimisation theory. In the latter FEM is used as a tool to optimise structures as concerns, for example, weight and strength.

Year 3 is concluded with a degree project of 15 credits in which students are able to make more in-depth studies of a certain area of engineering. This project means independently delineating, formulating and solving a problem and making their own critical assessments. In Year 3 there is also time for elective courses. In all KTH Master of Science in Engineering programmes it is possible to take out a Bachelor’s degree of 180 credits after three years of study.

Year 4-5

In Years 4 and 5 students follow the Master programme they have selected.

Aerospace Engineering

The Aerospace Master’s programme offers an international, creative and challenging learning environment with its focus on personal development and the students’ ability to cooperate with others. Students build up broad, technical leading edge competence within the fields of aero engineering, space engineering, systems technology or light constructions. 

Vehicle Engineering

A Master’s programme focussed on vehicles with two primary specialisations, road or rail-bound vehicles. After introductory vehicle type courses, there are four thematic profiles to select from: Structural Design, Functional Design, Control and Management  plus Transport Systems.

Sustainable Energy Engineering

Energy engineering encompasses the transformation and transfer of energy in various apparatus, facilities and societies. This programme covers, in addition to basic energy engineering, applied areas such as power production and energy utilisation that fulfil societal needs as concerns efficiency and sustainability.

Industrial Management

This Master’s programme provides students with knowledge of the management and strategies for innovation, production and marketing in both established and growing industries. Together with the students’ technical background, the programme prepares them well for future management positions in different technology-intensive operations.

Engineering Design

In this programme students create innovative products with the support of efficient tools and methods. The three tracks – Machine Construction, Mechatronics and Combustion Engine Technology focus on components and systems, machines in which electronics and software are vital  components, and piston engines with interior combustion.

Integrated Product Design

This programme focuses on processes and methods of product development aimed at the development of innovative, competitive products and services. Students gain competence in several, related disciplines such as product innovation, group dynamics, communication of design proposals and prototype manufacture.

Nuclear Energy Engineering

The focus of this programme is objective-controlled learning and functional, extensive knowledge which provide its students with opportunities to become driving forces in the quality activities that the nuclear industry of the future will be facing. The unique range of courses on offer also provides students with the best possible platform for application to research programmes where the fourth generation of nuclear energy is in focus.

Naval Architecture

Naval Architecture prepares students for work within the marine sector which includes vessels, yacht design, offshore, wave power, submarine engineering, marine wind power etc. The programme both examines various theories in-depth and maintains a system focus for the broad skill sets the labour market expects of its graduates.

Mathematics

The Master’s programme in mathematics provides a strong theoretical basis for all engineering science subjects. There are specialisations in Optimisation Science and Systems Theory, Mathematical Statistics and Financial Mathematics, as well as traditional Pure Maths. This programme supplies an excellent basis for both advanced positions within industry and for further research activities.

Engineering Mechanics

In this programme, students are provided with in-depth knowledge within the broad field of engineering mechanics as well as learning the formulation, modelling and solution of engineering problems with the help of modern, computer-based experimental methods. There are three tracks in the programme: Solid Mechanics, Fluid Mechanics and Sound and Vibration Science.

Read more about the KTH Master programmes and the Erasmus Mundus Programme

Master programmes and the Erasmus Mundus

Degree project

Educational programmes are concluded with a degree project.  This degree project could be said to act as proof positive of the success of the educational programme. This is an opportunity for students to utilise all the knowledge they have acquired during their studies at KTH. Degree projects are carried out in connection to master’s programmes, usually during Year 5. Degree projects are intended to provide students with experience of, under realistic conditions, independently planning, implementing and documenting a project using good engineering praxis. The degree project may be carried out at KTH, at a company or abroad. Students should choose their degree projects carefully – they can be extremely useful when applying for first professional positions!

Please note! Certain changes may be made to the range of courses.