Program Overview

Master of Science in Structural and Mechanical Engineering

This study programme provides an education in either mechanical or structural engineering, giving you the necessary engineering tools to turn challenges into opportunities.

About the Programme

The programme offers two specialisations: Structural Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. These two specialisations share a common interest in the understanding of how materials and structures react to forces. This is reflected in common courses like mechanics, dynamics, and simulation methods. The master's programme leads to the Norwegian professional title 'sivilingeniřr'.

Structural Engineering

If your background is in civil engineering, the structural engineering specialisation will give you competence in the analysis, design, construction, and maintenance of civil and offshore structures. The learning outcomes provide core competences and skills to work with engineering aspects of buildings, bridges, offshore platforms, wind turbines, and other structures.

Mechanical Engineering

The mechanical engineering specialisation will teach you the design and manufacturing of mechanical equipment. This includes CAD/CAM, additive manufacturing, welding, inspection, as well as fluid dynamics and materials science. This specialisation prepares you for working in a wide range of fields, such as production and manufacturing industries, renewable energy projects, and offshore industries.

Career Prospects

There will always be a need for 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. The programme qualifies you for a wide range of positions in private industry and public organisations.

• Offshore and civil engineering industries
• Renewable energy projects
• Production and manufacturing industries
• A diverse range of mechanical operations
• Research
• Education
• Public sector devoted to control, regulation, and law enforcement of industrial sectors

A degree in Structural and Mechanical Engineering provides a basis for work with the design, analysis, and optimization of structures and mechanical systems. Typical work tasks may include:

• Designing load-bearing structures, machinery, and components
• Performing finite element analysis (FEA) and structural simulations
• Conducting material selection and failure analysis
• Developing sustainable and energy-efficient engineering solutions
• Managing construction, fabrication, manufacturing, or maintenance projects
• Collaborating on interdisciplinary design and research projects in structural, mechanical, offshore, or industrial engineering

Further Education

Graduates can qualify for admission to the PhD programme in Science and Technology with relevant specialisation at the University of Stavanger.

Learning Outcomes

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

• Advanced knowledge in the analysis, design, and maintenance of engineering structures and specialised insight depending on the choice of specialisation
• Thorough knowledge of design, modelling, analysis, and manufacturing of mechanical components/systems
• Basic knowledge for research and development work in mechanical and structural engineering
• Knowledge on general ethical aspects in the engineering discipline

Study Plan and Courses

The study plan includes compulsory courses and electives. For specialisation in Structural Engineering, compulsory courses include:

• Structural Dynamics
• Life Extension of Structures
• Concrete Technology
• Finite Element Methods, Advanced Course
• Environmental Loads
• Fatigue and Fracture
• Advanced Analysis and Design of Steel Structures
• Mechanics of Solids, Advanced Course
• Master's Thesis in Structural and Mechanical Engineering

For specialisation in Mechanical Engineering, compulsory courses include:

• Structural Dynamics
• Finite Element Methods, Advanced Course
• Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics
• Applied Computational Fluid Dynamics for Industrial Processes
• Fatigue and Fracture
• Electron Microscopy
• Corrosion and Materials Technology
• Mechanics of Solids, Advanced Course
• Master's Thesis in Structural and Mechanical Engineering

Academic Requirements

For specialisation in Mechanical Engineering:

• A bachelor's degree in mechanical, material, marine, process, structural engineering, or equivalent with a good foundation within construction, material, and/or engineering fluid mechanics is required.

For specialisation in Structural Engineering:

• A bachelor's degree in civil engineering or equivalent with a minimum of 40 ECTS credits of structural engineering specialisation courses is required.

All applicants:

• Must have the equivalent of 25 ECTS credits in mathematics, 5 ECTS credits in statistics, and 7.5 ECTS credits in Physics.
• Must have a minimum grade average comparable to a Norwegian C (according to ECTS Standards) in their bachelor's degree.

Application and Admission

International and local applicants have different deadlines and application procedures, depending on their citizenship, language skills, and educational background.

Student Life at UiS

The University of Stavanger offers a range of student services and activities to support students during their studies.

Student Exchange

By going on exchange to one of the partner institutions abroad as part of their studies, students will have an opportunity to get a unique education. In addition to improving their career opportunities, they grow as a person and gain the ability to greater reflect on the topics they study as part of their degree.

Schedule for the Exchange

In the 3rd semester of the master's programme in Structural and Mechanical Engineering, a period of study abroad is facilitated. Abroad, students must choose courses that provide an equivalent specialization in their field of study, and these must be approved before they leave.

Recommended Institutions

Recommended institutions for student exchange include:

• San Diego State University, USA
• University of Adelaide, Australia
• Grenoble INP, France
• Polytechnic Milano, Italy
• University of Twente, Netherlands
• University of Trento, Italy
• Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania
• Linköping University, Sweden
• Seoul National University of Science and Technology, South Korea
• Technical University of Munich, Germany

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most common questions about this study programme:

• Is it possible to complete the study part-time, or remote?
• I have previously passed courses at another educational institution. Can I get any of these courses approved to a new degree?
• Is it possible to apply for leave from studies?
• Do I have the opportunity to go on an exchange during my studies?