Study Guide

Descriptions

CURRICULUM
Bachelor of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, daytime implementation

After graduating as a mechanical engineer, you will work in the design, manufacture, operation and maintenance of machinery, equipment and production lines. Other areas of work you will be involved in include marketing and training. Jobs for mechanical engineers include manufactur-ing plants, design offices and importers. The strong manufacturing networks in North Karelia for metal and plastic product systems and mechanical engineering employ experts. In addition to basic engineering skills, you will develop special expertise in smart production and responsible design.

The training will focus on smart production and responsible design. Intelligent production means the application of robotisation and flexible automation. The application of intelligent production increases production efficiency and reduces costs. Responsible design means taking environ-mentally friendly solutions into account in material choices and production technologies.

The qualification to be obtained

Title Engineer, Bachelor of Engineering (UAS)
Extent 240 credits /4 years

Description of competences

In Karelia, the competences aimed at by qualifications are described as common to all qualifi-cations and specific to each course. The main areas of competence in mechanical engineering are responsible design, intelligent production and business competitiveness, which form the ba-sis of your skills. In responsible design studies, you will learn to consider the whole life cycle of a product, from manufacturing through use to recycling. In smart manufacturing, you will focus on understanding manufacturing technology, production implementation and efficiency, and virtu-alisation. In business competitiveness studies, you will learn how to use digitalisation to manage information, develop your leadership and subordinate skills, acquire the language and commu-nication skills needed for the job and learn the basics of profitable business.

After graduation, you will work in product or production design, as a production manager, sales or purchasing engineer, quality engineer or in a variety of project roles. Other areas of work you may be involved in include marketing and training. Your employers will be companies in the machinery, metal and plastics sectors, design offices and importers. International assignments in Finland and abroad can also be a career option. Your future employers will value strong basic mechanical engineering skills, an entrepreneurial approach and customer service skills.

Building competences and the content of training

The degree in Mechanical Engineering consists of work-based studies in core and supplemen-tary skills. The total number of credits in the core competences, which are compulsory for all stu-dents, is 215 credits. In addition, you can choose 25 credits of complementary studies. The core studies include 30 credits of work placement and a 15-credit thesis.

During the first two years of your studies, you will develop from a mechanical engineering learner to a master of the basics of mechanical engineering. You will strengthen your mathematical and scientific skills combined with professional studies. You will study mechanics, fundamentals of mechanical engineering, materials and manufacturing engineering, fundamentals of production engineering and design engineering. In your first semester of study, you'll get to develop your hands-on skills in a mechanical engineering workshop. Language and communication skills, which are important for engineering jobs, are developed in studies linked to professional con-texts.

During the last two years of your studies, you will grow professionally from a mechanical engi-neering applicator to a mechanical engineering developer. The studies in construction engineer-ing, production engineering, product development and production economics will prepare you for the supplementary studies in the fourth year of study. You can choose from a 15-credit mod-ule in Responsible Design or Intelligent Manufacturing. To strengthen your responsible design skills, you can choose a 10-credit module in structural steel design, plastics engineering or preci-sion engineering. The Intelligent Manufacturing module is complemented and extended by a 10-credit module in Plastics Engineering or Precision Engineering.

You can include a maximum of 15 credits of sport academy coaching for competitive and elite athletes or student community and tutor activities in your complementary studies. If the above mentioned complementary studies do not meet your professional objectives, you can discuss other options with your tutor or your advisor.

Work-based learning

During your studies, you will get to know the world of work in a variety of ways. During your stud-ies, you will participate in work placements that deepen and broaden your professional skills. In the third and fourth years, you will carry out a variety of assignments for work partners. Learning in a unique learning machine workshop will be part of your studies.
The strong business-oriented smart manufacturing research, development and innovation ac-tivities in engineering are closely linked to your studies, for example through learning assign-ments, internships or a thesis. Your thesis will be commissioned by a company in the field and often lead to employment.

Pedagogical choices

The teaching is mainly delivered as contact lessons. In addition to lectures and calculation exer-cises, you will manufacture in our laboratories the components and equipment that you have designed yourself, alone or in a group, under the guidance of a teacher and a laboratory engi-neer. Your studies may also include online lectures, weekly independent or group assignments, workplace visits and assignments from companies. In our learning machine shop, you will learn a wide range of practical skills in welding, machining, measuring and robotics. You will play an active and responsible role as a learner in our community. Teachers will support your learning throughout your studies.

Flexible implementation of studies

Flexible study is supported through an individual study plan (ISP). Recognition and recognition of prior learning (RPL) and work-based learning will bring more flexibility to your studies. Accelerat-ing your studies also requires studying during the summer semester and taking advantage of online learning opportunities offered by other higher education institutions. It is a good idea to start discussing this with your guidance counsellor in the first year of your studies. You can also include studies from other Karelia schools and other higher education institutions in your com-plementary studies, in accordance with your personal study plan.

Internationalisation

You can apply to study at one of Karelia's partner universities or do your traineeship abroad. The main partners for mechanical engineering are in Germany and the Netherlands. We recom-mend that you schedule your exchange in the spring of the second academic year, but you can also discuss other options and get support from your study counsellor and the international co-ordinator. For international exchanges, you may be eligible for a scholarship. Participation in Ka-relia's extensive international development activities is one way of gaining international experi-ence during your studies. You can also strengthen your international skills by acting as a tutor for international students. Studying together with exchange students is a good opportunity for inter-nationalisation at home. The language and communication studies in the core studies provide a good basis for your internationalisation.

Skills assessment

Assessment is based on the qualification's competence objectives, which have been defined together with working life. Your skills will be assessed in a variety of ways during your studies, which will support your development. You will be trained to give and receive feedback during your studies. Where appropriate, assessment will be based on self- and peer-assessment by students and, in cooperation with working life, on feedback from companies. Assessment and feedback will guide the student towards the requirements of the future profession. Assessment is carried out on a course-by-course basis in accordance with Karelia's common assessment crite-ria.

Career opportunities and guidance

Engineers graduating in mechanical engineering have a very broad range of tasks to perform. Jobs are available in a wide range of industries. Your studies will focus on developing the skills needed to design and develop products for the mechanical and metalworking industries and for production.

Changes in the world of work and your own career development require continuous learning af-ter graduation. Much of this learning takes place on the job, but can be enhanced through train-ing. You can supplement your skills with open university of applied sciences studies or training towards a higher university of applied sciences degree. A Master's degree opens up opportuni-ties for you to take on managerial positions, demanding expert and development tasks or to become a teacher, for example. You will be supported by a tutor and a study mentor throughout your studies to help you plan your career.