Study Guide

Descriptions

PROFILE OF THE PROGRAMME

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 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 skills, ethical competence, cooperation skills, innovation skills, and internationalization skills. In addition to the above-mentioned competencies, entrepreneurial skills and quality management skills are emphasized in the degree studies of SeAMK as competencies common to all.

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

The curriculum includes five seams permeating through the studies and extending over them. They are based on SeAMK’s reports, studies and strategy, as well as on the national and international recommendations and regulations related to education provided by universities of applied sciences.
- The Information Search seam strengthens the student’s professional and field-specific information search skills throughout the studies.
- The Internationalization seam secures the improvement of the student’s international competencies during their studies. In addition to student exchange opportunities, the seam also manifests itself as visiting lecturers, in which case the teaching is in English. Also some study materials are in English.
- The studies corresponding to the Entrepreneurship seam help the student understand the central and growing role of entrepreneurship in society.
- The Sustainable Development seam. In the degree program in mechanical engineering, the competencies of sustainable development run through the curriculum. The aim of the sustainable development seam is to help students become aware of social responsibility and to understand the multidimensional significance of sustainable development both as a working life skill and as a competence related to the design and maintenance of machines. In the degree program, the student also learns to apply the principles of sustainable development and the circular economy in practice.
- The seam of Career Guidance helps the student recognise their competencies and own strengths. It also includes working life knowledge, job search skills, and lifelong learning.

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.