Study Guide

Descriptions

PROFILE OF THE PROGRAMME
Specialisation in Automotive and Work Machine Engineering:

The purpose of this line of specialisation is to produce automotive engineers who have basic skills in mechanical engineering and specialised expertise in automotive engineering. Students become familiar with machine design, structural engineering of automobiles, automotive electronics, mechanical engineering and entrepreneurship. Students acquire practical experience, on the level of both the employee and that of the engineer, during their practical training and Project Studies.

There is a wide and diverse range of jobs automotive engineers can perform. Typical jobs include designing, production, management, marketing and sales, or working as an independent entrepreneur. Places of employment may include the automotive industry, engineering industry, and the fields of insurance and inspection.

The automotive industry is one of the fields of industry that has significantly changed the world. Changes have taken place since the time of Henry Ford and will continue to take place in the future. Even today, the automotive engineers are pioneers in technology and their expertise ensures the further development of technology and the preservation of the profession.


Specialisation in Mechanical and Production Engineering:

The purpose of the Mechanical and Production Engineering programme is to produce mechanical engineers who have command of the production processes in the machine and metal industry and production management. Students graduating from this programme will have the readiness they need to work as specialists and supervisors in the machine and metal industry, from designing to production and from sales to marketing.

Emphasis in the programme is placed on production engineering, mechanical engineering and entrepreneurship. Students have the opportunity to acquire advanced skills in technical mechanics, materials design, or automation systems. Students acquire practical experience, on the level of both the employee and that of the engineer, during their practical training and Project Studies.

There is a wide and diverse range of jobs mechanical engineers can perform. Typical jobs include designing, production, management, marketing and sales, or working as an independent entrepreneur.

The employment prospects for mechanical engineers are good. Mechanical engineers are needed to develop and produce top products for a very wide range of clientele, not only in domestic markets but for exporting as well. As graduates in engineering, students have the opportunity to choose a job that interests them and to reinforce the success story created by Finnish engineers.


OCCUPATIONAL PROFILES
The automotive engineer's scope of duties is broad and diverse. Their duties typically involve designing, production, management, marketing and sales, or they may be self-employed. Places of employment may include the automotive industry, engineering industry, and the fields of insurance and inspection.

The mechanical engineers scope of duties is broad and diverse. Their duties typically involve designing, production, management, marketing and sales, or they may be self-employed. The employment prospects for mechanical engineers are good. Mechanical engineers are needed to develop and produce top products for a very wide range of clientele, not only in domestic markets but for exporting as well. As graduates in engineering, students have the opportunity to choose a job that interests them and to reinforce the success story created by Finnish engineers.

The expertise profile of automotive and mechanical engineers is described through the competencies sought in the degree program. Competencies are extensive knowledge entities, or combinations of the individual’s knowledge, skills, and attitudes. They describe qualifications, performance potential, and the ability to cope with professional duties.

Common/general competencies are fields of know-how common to different Degree Programmes, but their special characteristics and importance may vary between professions and work assignments. General competencies form the basis for professional activities, cooperation, and the development of expertise. According to Arene’s (Rectors' Conference of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences) recommendations, general competencies include learning to learn, ethics, working life skills, proactive development, international and multicultural competences and sustainable development. In addition to the above, the degree curriculum of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences emphasises entrepreneurship and career planning skills as common competences for all.

Degree programme-specific competencies form the basis for the development of the student’s professional expertise.

The competences in Automotive and Work Machine Engineering:

1 Basics of automotive engineering
- understands the laws of physics for automotive technology.
- knows the common chemicals and materials and how to use them.
- knows the methods for production technology.
- knows the basic structures, components and systems of automobiles.
- understands the dynamic behaviour of automobiles and ability to illustrate and simulate it mathematically.
- has knowledge of solid-state technology and the associated components.

2 Advanced competence in automotive technology
- knows the structures the chassis, frame, tyre, engine, and transmission in automobiles, and understanding of the significance of maintenance.
- understands the environmental impact of traffic.
- commands the essential electronic and data communications applications in automobiles.
- has knowledge of maintenance diagnostics.
- has knowledge of sensor technology and is able to reliably measure technical magnitudes.

3 Competence in legislation
- knows the essential legislation pertaining to the structure of automobiles, traffic and transportation.
- knows the rights and responsibilities of the employer and the employee.
- has knowledge of occupational safety and environmental protection.
- knows the rights and responsibilities of the consumer

4 Business and customer service competence
- knows the prerequisites for profitable business operations and understands the business idea behind automobile dealerships and transportation companies.
- understands the significance of customer service to the operations in a service-providing company.
- is able to communicate and work in international organisations.
- knows the principles of management and ability to function as a supervisor.

The competences in Mechanical and production engineering:

1 Basics of Mechanical engineering
- is able to utilise mathematics and physics to illustrate phenomena in mechanical engineering and to solve problems.
- knows the more common components and mechanical organs used in mechanical engineering, and understanding of how the more common types of machines work.
- commands basic mechanical measurements.
- has knowledge of energy technology and how to use it.

2 Competence in planning
- knows the principles of technical documentation and is able to utilise 3D modelling.
- knows of the more common structural materials and the ways they can be used.
- understands the significance of standardisation in the design and manufacturing of products.
- is able to consider the entire life cycle of a product when designing it.
- understands the significance of teamwork and is able to work as an active member of international designing organisations.

3 Competence in manufacturing
- knows the methods, devices and opportunities available in production engineering.
- understands the principles of production systems and automation and the impact of them on the structure of a product.
- knows the principles of logistics.

4 Competence in safety of machine
- knows the directives pertaining to mechanical design.
- is able to design safe and easy-to-use devices and structures.

5 Competence in company finances and business
- knows the directives pertaining to mechanical design.
- is able to design safe and easy-to-use devices and structures.


PEDAGOGICAL APPROACH
The working world and expertise demand that employees have advanced skills in information acquisition and processing and problem-solving, the ability to collaborate with others and to always be open to new learning situations, as well as the ability to combine various types of information and various disciplines with practical work. This means that students must understand what they are taught. For this reason, teaching in the engineering programme emphasises the constructivist theory of learning where the students' active role and world of experience form a significant part of the education. It is the teacher's duty to facilitate learning and co-ordinate studies.

A variety of teaching methods are used in the programmes to support students' professional development, readiness for the working world and professional expertise. Students work in small groups, listen to lectures by experts, work in the laboratory, do assignments, work in projects and obtain practical experience in real work environments.

Development

The staff of the degree programme is in a close contact with the staff of companies. They are guiding in the projects, which are made in companies. They take part in the challenging development projects of companies. Then the experience that has been received in this cooperation will be utilized in the development of the curriculum. There is the tight contact to companies by working in Projektipaja, on the project studies, practical training and in the students thesis process.
The head of degree program is a member in the Tech Team Seinäjoki. This is network of the companies of the field of the technology industry and technical trade. This has the objective to increase the growth and development of the business of the companies which participate in the operation.

Objective

The objective of the degree programme is that the students know the contents, significance and the sectors of the Machine technology. They can adapt their know-how in the tasks and they can estimate and develop this operation.