Bachelor's Degree Programme in Mechanical Engineering
Key learning outcomes
Mechanical engineering graduates have strong mechanical engineering competence, which they are able to use to apply natural sciences in technical solutions. They are able to take into account product usability, durability, cost, processibility, safety and lifecycle in product development. They understand the significance of sustainable development in their work. They are familiar with the modern digitals tools of product development and production and they are confident in the use of the tools. They also have excellent prerequisites for constant professional development and operating in an international setting. Thanks to their production competence, they are able to conceive of issues related to production automation and management and understand production systems. They also understand the impact production and product development has on the environment and are able to optimise the resources needed. Their entrepreneurial and innovative attitude provides them with good prerequisites for working as a business owner.
Education content and professional growth and know-how
People need machines to improve and support their wellbeing. Easy-to-use and safe machines are one of the most important sources of welfare today. Affordable and high-quality production guarantees the availability of this source of welfare for most people. JAMK’s Degree Programme in Mechanical Engineering educates students to design and develop such machinery and equipment and their high-quality production methods. Based on the specialisation option, the degree programme produces specialists in product development/design and production technology. In their personal learning plan, students may also focus their area of competence on industrial engineering or entrepreneurship.
Practical applications, along with projects and exercises completed for companies play an essential role in the studies. Project work is mainly conducted for companies, but it may also be carried out as research, development and innovation operation projects. Thanks to the extensive international cooperation network of the degree programme, some of the studies and projects involve international students, which helps build the foundation for an international approach – an increasingly important requirement in the work of a mechanical engineer. Students also have the opportunity to complete studies, practical training, their thesis or double degree at partner universities abroad.
Mechanical engineers design and commission the latest technologies in workshop production, or perform various product development and design tasks related to machines and equipment. The cooperation between the degree programme in mechanical engineering and foreign schools and companies provides the students with the opportunity to form strong internal ties.These opportunities include international university of applied sciences courses completed as part of a double degree or exchange programme as well as theses written abroad and/or practical training completed abroad. The degree programme is also characterised by its entrepreneurial perspective and attitude.
Engineers who graduate from the Degree Programme in Mechanical Engineering will have a clear conception of their learning and they will understand the importance of continuing studying in working life as well. They are familiar with and capable of utilising the methods and tools used in working life. Thanks to their solid background in mathematics and natural sciences, they are able to learn new things in the industry quickly and effortlessly.
The specialisation option in product development focuses strongly on machine design and user-oriented design. The students become familiar with the dimensioning of machines, their components and machine assemblies with state-of-the-art software, along with their underlying principles.
In production technology, the methods used in the development and troubleshooting of production systems and networks will become just some of the strengths of a newly graduated engineer. They will also gain competence in the fields of production automation and production processes. The specialisation also provides competence in the development of state-of-the-art maintenance.
Flexible studies
Full-time studies follow a weekly schedule and include plenty of classroom and laboratory teaching, some of which may also be completed online. In addition to this, the students have exercises and assignments to be completed independently (individually or in groups).
In order to participate in part-time studies, the students must be capable of operating in digital learning environments. The part-time studies flexibly combine self-learning, distance learning and classroom learning in order to reduce the dependence of the studies on place and time. This type of studying form requires more self-direction from the students. Part-time studies will suit you if you have previous experience in the field, or if you want more flexibility regarding the time or place of completing your studies due to your life situation.
Students have a choice of alternative or elective studies offered by partner universities in Finland and abroad, such as other universities of applied sciences (CampusOnline), universities and educational institutions involved in the EduFutura collaboration (University of Jyväskylä and Gradia). Higher level studies completed elsewhere may be accredited as part of your degree. The student must have a certificate or some other document to prove that they have completed the studies. Skills acquired elsewhere can also be described and demonstrated to enable accreditation. Further information is available in the Study Guide.
Working life oriented learning
Mechanical engineering is a continuously developing field, which also affects work in the branch. New software, systems and devices are being adopted by companies on a constant basis. This development is also taken into account in the planning of learning objectives for the degree programme. Working life oriented learning environments and laboratory equipment are also upgraded in response to these needs.
Working life-orientation is apparent to students throughout their studies. During the first courses, visits to the companies in the region – potential future workplaces – will be arranged where possible. Later on, the students will be provided with project courses that address assignments received from companies. When applicable, projects may be implemented in a multidisciplinary fashion. Visiting lecturers invited from companies will familiarise the students with the latest practices. The exercises and laboratory assignments in vocational subjects are as consistent as possible with authentic working life duties.
The studies include practical training worth 30 ECTS credits that is completed in roles relevant to the student’s field of study. This gives the student a good idea of the roles that will await a newly graduated engineer. A bachelor’s thesis worth 15 ECTS credits is completed towards the end of studies. The majority of bachelor’s thesis topics are various kinds of development assignments for companies. They are often completed at the companies’ facilities. Courses may also be studified, when the assignments at work allow.
Working life oriented learning is included in bachelor’s degree courses throughout the studies. These include practical training to promote professional skills, the thesis and various working life projects. At JAMK University of Applied Sciences, the operating model for working life oriented and student-driven learning is called JAMK Future Factory®. It combines working life operators, students, JAMK experts and working life oriented LAB environments and other learning environments. In addition to multidisciplinary and working life oriented project studies, it offers students a chance to develop their future working life skills, career paths and networks.
Studification is also among the options offered by working life oriented learning. It refers to combining work, project work, Future Factory activities, etc. with studies. Studification involves students drafting a studification plan and documenting it in the manner agreed with the teacher. Further information is available in the Study Guide.
Career opportunities and employment
The degree programme prepares students for production development and expert tasks or various types of product development and design tasks. In addition to this, it provides capabilities for acting as an entrepreneur and, with experience, serving in supervisory positions.
Graduates of production technology have found employment opportunities in production development and guidance posts as well as production management roles, once they accumulate the necessary experience.
Product development graduates have found employment in product development and machinery design roles and, with experience, supervisory and leadership tasks in product development and design.
Students who complete complementary studies have the chance to acquire targeted competence in various tasks, such as supporting procurement.
Qualifications
There are no specific degree-related or statutory qualification requirements in the field.
Further studies
Students may, after graduation and a working career of at least two years, apply for studies leading up to a master’s degree. Studies can also be continued by applying for a university master’s degree programme or similar programmes as well as professional teacher education. After a bachelor’s degree from a university of applied sciences, it is also possible to continue studies at higher education institutes abroad on master’s degree level programmes. A university of applied sciences also provides opportunities for continuing education in the form of specialisation studies, open studies, an online study portal (CampusOnline) and working life based continuing education.
A student who completes a master’s degree at a university of applied sciences may apply to continue on to postgraduate studies in science or arts at universities (Act 558/2009, Section 37).
Education planning
The aim of the degree programme in Mechanical Engineering is to produce engineers that meet the needs of trade and industry. With that in mind, the competence targets of the degree programme have been determined based on the current and future needs of trade and industry, with the help of corporate employees, industry experts and public studies on future trends. The Head of Department is, together with the Programme Coordinator, responsible for resource management and monitoring the progress of the planning process for competence targets.
The competence targets are prepared by a work group consisting of teachers of the degree programmes. The members of the group negotiate with representatives of trade and industry in their respective fields on competence needs in the labour market. The group then compiles the competence targets and defines them for the degree programme.
The learning objectives are divided into competence areas and subordinate qualifications, and incorporated into the degree programme structure in the form of various modules and the courses included. The objectives are discussed by an advisory board consisting of representatives of trade and industry, student members, the head of department and the programme coordinator.
Contact Information
Petri Luosma
Senior Lecturer, Industrial Engineering
+358407468605
firstname.lastname@jamk.fi