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The Curriculum for Master of Science in Engineering (Mechatronics)

Academic Study Board of the Faculty of Engineering
Programme titles:
  • Civilingeniør i Mechatronics
  • Master of Science in Engineering (Mechatronics)
ECTS value: 120
Cities: Soenderborg
Semesters: Autumnx
Effective date: 01-09-2021
Applicable for students enrolled: 01-09-2021

Version: Archive

§ 1 - Description of the Programme

§ 1.1 - Programme

Programme titles

Master of Science in Engineering (Mechatronics) (MSc)

ECTS value

120

Language

English

Cities

Soenderborg

Level

Master

§ 1.2 - Applicable for students enrolled

01-09-2021

§ 1.3 - Aim of Programme, including any professional profile and specialisations

The purpose of the master's programme is to

  • extend students' professional knowledge and competences and increase their theoretical and methodical qualifications and level of independent work beyond the level attained at the bachelor level.
  • provide students with the opportunity for in-depth academic study via the use of advanced elements of the disciplines and methods of the academic area, including training in scientific work and methodology to develop the student's competences to perform more specialised vocational functions and participate in scientific development work, and
  • to qualify the student for further education, including PhD programmes, cf. the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at Universities.

The master's programme is an independent, complete educational programme, which extends the competence and insights acquired by the student during the bachelor programme.

The master's programme aims to qualify the student to solve complex technical problems, design and implement complex technological products and systems in a social context. The contents of the master's programme aim to provide the student with advanced professional competences within the chosen discipline of engineering and options for further specialisation.

The master's programme is a full-time programme which is rated at 120 ECTS points, corresponding to the work of a full-time student for 22 months; for programmes starting in the spring semester, however, the duration is 24 months. The programme consists of constituent course elements related to the programme's specific professional competences and identity, elective courses and a Master's thesis. 

Graduates with a bachelor degree that includes knowledge and competences similar to those acquired vi a bachelor programme in technical science or engineering are entitled to use the Danish title of civilingeniør, cand.polyt., followed by the title of the specific programme. The English version of the title is Master of Science (MSc) in Engineering - followed by the title of the specific programme.  

§ 1.4 - Didactic and pedagogical basis

The Engineering Education Model of the University of Southern Denmark (DSMI)

The bachelor and master's programmes within the scientific area of engineering are research-based full-degree programmes which qualify the students to independently perform vocational functions on the basis of knowledge and methodical skills within their professional area.

All programmes at the University of Southern Denmark are structured in accordance with the university's leading principles for programmes. For engineering programmes, the principles are put into practice in the educational concept 'The Engineering Education Model of the University of Southern Denmark' or, in Danish, 'Den Syddanske Model for Ingeniøruddannelser', in the following referred to by its official abbreviation, DSMI.

By offering and implementing engineering programmes based on DSMI, the university ensures that engineers who have recently graduated from the university have a high professional standard, based on their mastery of a range of core skills which are in high demand on the labour market as well as in the research community.

A summary of the main points of the education concept is shown below - the complete description of DSMI is available in electronic form at the Faculty's website.

Content and Competences

  • Professional skills are at the centre of the educational activities, and all engineering programmes at the University of Southern Denmark are therefore rooted in research and development environments of a high international standard. Research and development-based tuition is provided at all programme levels to accommodate both the needs of fundamental research and the requirements of practical applied science in close collaboration with business and industry.
  • The programmes aim to foster modern, dyed-in-the-wool engineers. The learning and evaluation environment is therefore based on activating tuition and active learning that stimulates students to think and work in a problem-focused, project-oriented and cross-disciplinary manner. Assignments are accomplished both in teams and independently, and the focus is on innovation and reflection.
  • The programmes are designed to mature students to perform assignments in an international context. During the course of their studies, students experience an environment characterised by international teachers and researchers and fellow students from many countries. The programme framework is organised in such a way as to provide good opportunities to study abroad and students enrolled on study programmes offered in Danish, will be required to attend courses conducted in English.
  • Bachelors from the University of Southern Denmark will have worked in project groups across language and cultural differences.
  • To enhance the graduates' labour market value immediately after graduation, the study programmes incorporate a high level of business relevance. Collaboration with private organisations guarantees that the students' professional competences are put to regular use in a concrete, contemporary context.
  • In the course of their studies, Bachelors from the University of Southern Denmark will have performed project work in collaboration with external organisations.
  • All students are encouraged to think and practise entrepreneurship via a learning and evaluation environment designed to stimulate student enterprise, creativity and responsibility. 
  • Corporate and business understanding are integral elements of the teaching of the Bachelor programmes at the University of Southern Denmark.
  • Bachelors from the University of Southern Denmark have participated in interdisciplinary collaboration projects organised on the basis of a principle of 'Experts in Team Innovation'. This means that the student collaborates with students from other engineering disciplines or other study programmes on the solution of a complex, interdisciplinary problem in close collaboration with an external organisation.

Structure and Learning Environment

In overall terms, the interplay between programme structure, skills acquisition and the learning and evaluation environment of the engineering programmes at the University of Southern Denmark may be described as follows: 

  • In the practical planning of the programme content, significant emphasis has been placed on ensuring that the forms of tuition and examination are both relevant and contemporary and support students' acquisition of core skills. In doing so, efforts are made to proviede a highly dynamic study environment, where each individual student is expected to play an active role and assume responsibility for his or her own learning. The student will 'learn to learn' so that he or she will later be able to quickly embrace new and complex problems, just as the student will be encouraged throughout the programme to practise both independent and co-operative thinking. 
  • In order to strengthen both the professional contemplation and application of acquired skills as well as the individual's continued motivation for developing professionally and personally on a labour market characterised by rapid change, the educational concept deliberately seeks to integrate both specific technical and broader general engineering skills. 
  • With DSMI, the University of Southern Denmark offers an attractive and relevant study programme with good immediate work prospects. The keywords are activating tuition and active learning put into practice through project-oriented collaboration and problem-based learning. The purpose is to foster dyed-in-the-wool engineers with a high level of professional skills and the optimum basis for continued personal and professional development.

§ 2 - Enrollment

§ 2.1 - Legal claim for admission

Following degree has automatic claim for admission:  
- BSc in Engineering Mechatronics – University of Southern Denmark 

§ 2.2 - Qualifying degrees

The university has assessed that the below degrees qualify for admission:

Following degrees qualify for admission to all profiles: 

- BEng in Engineering Mechatronics – University of Southern Denmark

- BSc in Engineering (Electronics) – University of Southern Denmark 

- BEng in Electronics – University of Southern Denmark 

- BSc in Engineering in Robot Systems (Robotteknologi) – University of Southern Denmark

- BSc in Engineering in Robotics – University of Aalborg

- BSc in Engineering in Electrical Engineering (Elektroteknologi) – Technical University of Denmark


Following degrees qualify for admission to the profile in Cyber Physical Systems:

- BEng in Engineering in Maskinteknik - University of Southern Denmark

- BEng in Engineering in Mekanik – University of Aarhus

- BSc in Engineering in Maskin og Produktion – University of Aalborg (Esbjerg)

- BEng in Engineering in Maskinteknik – University of Aalborg

- BEng in Engineering in Maskinteknik – University of Aalborg (Esbjerg)

- BEng in Engineering in Maskinteknik – Technical University of Denmark


Following degrees qualify for admission to the profile in Embedded Systems:

- BEng in Engineering in Softwareteknologi - University of Southern Denmark

- BSc in Engineering in Software Engineering - University of Southern Denmark

- BSc in Engineering in Software – University of Aalborg

- BSc in Engineering in Softwareteknologi – Technical University of Denmark

- BEng in Engineering in Softwareteknologi – Technical University of Denmark 

- BEng in Engineering in Informations- og Kommunikationsteknologi – Århus Universitet

- BEng in Engineering in Datalogi – University of Aalborg

- BEng in Engineering in IT-Elektronik – Technical University of Denmark

- BSc in Engineering in Applied Industrial Electronics – University of Aalborg (Esbjerg)

- BSc in Engineering in Elektronik og IT – University of Aalborg

- BSc in Engineering in Applied Industrial Electronics – University of Aalborg (Esbjerg)

- BSc in Engineering in Elektronik og IT – University of Aalborg 


If your degree is not on the list, please refer to the specific entry requirements in the below paragraph. 

§ 2.3 - Entry requirements

2.3.1 To be considered for admission applicants must have a relevant bachelor of science degree, bachelor of science in engineering degree, or bachelor of engineering degree. 

For a degree to be relevant it must be in the subject area of Mechatronics, i.e. electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, robotics, etc., and cover the below criteria: 

Profile in Cyber Physical Systems:
  • Thermodynamics 5 ECTS
  • Mechanical design, statics, dynamics and 3D CAD 10 ECTS
  • Digital Design and micro controllers including project work 5 ECTS
  • Embedded programming including project work 5 ECTS
  • Analog/Digital Electronics 5 ECTS

Profile in Embedded Systems:

  • Mechanical design, statics, dynamics and 3D CAD 5 ECTS
  • Digital Design and micro controllers including project work 10 ECT
  • Embedded programming including project work 10 ECTS
  • Analog/Digital Electronics 5 ECTS


As of admission 2022 the entry requirements will be changed to the following, same for both profiles:

  • Mechanical design, statics, dynamics and 3D CAD, 10 ECTS
  • Digital Design and micro controllers including project work, 5 ECTS
  • Embedded programming including project work, 5 ECTS
  • Analog/Digital Electronics, 5 ECTS
  • Control Theory including project work, 5 ECTS
  • Mathematics, 15 ECTS 

Note that for specific courses to be included in the assessment, they must have been passed as part of or during the bachelor’s degree. Should the constituent courses of the bachelor’s degree not meet all the entry requirements, it is possible to acquire the necessary skills during the bachelor’s degree through elective courses (either as part of your degree or simultaneously with your bachelor’s degree). It is also possible to meet the requirements through supplementary courses after completing the bachelor’s degree. You can supplement your bachelor’s degree with up to 5 ECTS during the first semester of the master’s programme and up to 10 ECTS before study start. For details, please refer to the below paragraph. 

Admission with a foreign degree  

Applicants with a bachelor’s degree from a foreign university who meet the above requirements are eligible for admission subject to an academic assessment and comparison of whether the applicant’s academic qualifications correspond to those of qualifying Danish degree.

Language requirements

English B from a Danish High School with a minimum grade of 3.0 (Danish 7 point grading scale) or an IELTS or TOEFL test with a minimum result of 6.5 in the IELTS test or a minimum result of 88 in the TOEFL test.

Applicants from a country within the European Union or the EEA may not be required to pass an IELTS or a TOEFL test, if they can document that their level of English corresponds with English at B level. The course must be passed with a grade equivalent to a minimum of 3.0 on the Danish grading scale.

For further details, please refer to the University website.

2.3.2 As a rule, the applicant must apply for admission to a master's programme at the University of Southern Denmark within five years after completing the bachelor's programme.

§ 2.4 - Supplementary courses

Supplementary courses passed before completing the bachelor’s degree
2.4.1 If the applicant has passed supplementary courses before completing the bachelor’s degree and provided the bachelor’s degree and supplementary courses meet the entry requirements, the applicant qualifies for admission. The extent of supplementary courses not included in the bachelor’s degree cannot exceed 30 ECTS points. 

Other supplementary courses 
2.4.2.1 If the applicant has a relevant bachelor’s degree but does not meet all the entry requirements as defined in §2.3 it is possible to be admitted under the condition that the applicant passes supplementary courses. 

Supplementary courses as part of conditional admission must be taken within a period of six months before study start and six months after study start, i.e., the supplementary courses can be completed before semester start, during the master’s programme or a combination of the two. The total extent of supplementary courses cannot exceed 15 ECTS points. The University does not guarantee that it is always possible to follow supplementary activities within the required subjects. 

Supplementary courses are offered in accordance with the rules on part-time education and course fees are covered by the applicant.

2.4.2.2 Supplementary courses completed during the first semester of the master’s programme cannot exceed 5 ECTS points and must be passed within the examination period of the ordinary examination. Students will have only two examination attempts in the supplementary course.  

2.4.2.3 Other supplementary courses must be followed before study start and completed within a deadline stated in the letter of conditional admission. Supplementary course before study start must be passed within the examination period of the ordinary examination and students will have only two examination attempts. Supplementary courses before study start cannot exceed 10 ECTS points. 

§ 3 - Detailed programme specific information

§ 3 - Programme title and profiles

Profile in Cyber Physical Systems 2021

Profile in Embedded Systems 2021

§ 3.1 - The structure of the programme

The progression of topics is structured through two subject columns; one for the chosen profile and one for the common part: Advanced Mechatronics and Scientific Methods.

Advanced Mechatronics and Scientific Methods: 
The progression in this theme starts with the courses: Analytical Mechanics (MC-AME, 5 ECTS), Optimization & Image Processing (MC-OIP, 5 ECTS) and Control Systems (MC-COS, 10 ECTS) on the first semester, giving knowledge, skills and core competencies in methods used for analyzing, modelling and building dynamic mechatronic systems. Furthermore, the courses Embedded Software Design (MC-ESD, 5 ECTS) and Software for Embedded Systems (MC-SES, 5 ECTS) on the first semester, covers knowledge, skills and competencies in embedded software development and methods.
Based on this, the students will continue with the Statistical Signal Processing course (MC-SSP, 5 ECTS) and the Safety Critical Systems course (MC-SCS, 5 ECTS) on the second semester. On second and third semester the technology based courses follows: Electro Mechanics (MC-EMECH, 5 ECTS), Artificial Neural Networks (MC-ANN, 5 ECTS), Mechatronics Design and Build (MC-MDB 1, 5 ECTS) and Mechatronic Design and Build (MC-MDB 2, 5 ECTS), giving both theoretical and practical knowledge, skills and competencies with the aim of being able to create advanced mechatronic systems. The MC-MDB 1 course also contains scientific methods and their application within engineering applications.

The gained competencies will be further developed and used in the Thesis on the fourth semester and, depending on choice, the In-Company period in the third semester, in connection with the chosen profile.

Profile in Embedded Systems: 
The progression on this profile continues with the more advanced courses: Real-Time Systems (MC-RTS, 5 ECTS) and Hardware/Software Co-Design (MC-HSCOD, 5 ECTS) on the second semester, thus giving knowledge, skills and competencies covering advanced scientific methods, technologies and tools used to uphold real time requirements in embedded systems. 

On the third semester, students will be challenged through the course: Distributed Embedded Systems (MC-DIS, 5 ECTS) thus giving knowledge, skills and competencies in developing highly complex state of the art “real world” systems.

The gained competencies will be further developed and used in the Thesis on the fourth semester and, depending on choice, the In-Company Project on the third semester.

Profile in Cyber Physical Systems:  
The progression in this profile starts with the courses Analytical Mechanics (MC-AME, 5 ECTS), Optimization & Image Processing (MC-OIP, 5 ECTS) and Control Systems (MC-COS, 10 ECTS) on the first semester. These courses give an introduction to the mathematical modelling process, understanding the governing equations for mechatronic systems, optimization methods, use of mathematics in image processing, and modern control systems theory based on state-space representations.

This is continued on the second semester with the course Computational Multiphysics (MC-CMP, 10 ECTS) where the students are given in-depth knowledge, skills and competences within the mathematical modelling process. This includes derivation and solution of governing equations for multiphysics problems, parameter identification, design of experimental test setups and verification of the developed models.

On the third semester the student’s proficiency within modelling and control will be extended to include adaptive nonlinear control theory and artificial neural networks in the courses Adaptive Nonlinear Control (MC-ANCON, 5 ECTS). 

§ 3.1.1 - Connection between entry requirements and the first year

The programme is structured in three parts: the profile, the common part called Advanced Mechatronics and Scientific Methods, and the elective-/In-Company Project-/Thesis part.

The courses on the first semester are organized in a way that they can adapt to the level of entrance from relevant bachelor programmes – according to the entry requirements mentioned later in this document. 

The knowledge, skills and competencies of the first semester courses: Analytical Mechanics (MC-AME, 5 ECTS), Optimization & Image Processing (MC-OIP, 5 ECTS), Software for Embedded Systems (MC-SES, 5 ECTS), Embedded Software Design (MC-ESD, 5 ECTS) and Control Systems (MC-COS, 5 ECTS) are designed to adapt to all incoming bachelor students – thus valid for both profiles on the MSc in mechatronics programme.

After passing the first semester, students will have achieved all necessary knowledge, skills and competencies to continue on the rest of the programme.

§ 4 - Course Descriptions

§ 4 - Compulsory courses

Profile divided course descriptions 

Profile in Cyber Physical Systems 2021

Profile in Embedded Systems 2021

Course descriptions in the curriculum 

Project in Real-Time Systems

Mechatronics Design and Build 1

Statistical Signal Processing

Hardware/Software Co-Design of Embedded Systems

Safety Critical Systems

Real-Time Systems

Control Systems

Adaptive Nonlinear Control

Distributed Embedded Systems

Electromechanics

Study Start (MSc MC)

Computational Multi-Physics

Embedded Software Design

SES Software for Embedded Systems

Mechatronics Design and Build 2

Artificial Neural Networks

Optimization and Image Processing

Master's Thesis - 30 ECTS

Analytical Mechanics

Master's Thesis - 40 ECTS

In-Company Project

§ 5 - Examination provisions

§ 5.1 - Programme passing requirements

5.1.1 An examination is graded in accordance with the 7-point grading scale. It can also be graded as 'passed/failed' (bestået/ikke-bestået) or 'approved/non-approved' (godkendt/ikke-godkendt). The master’s thesis is always graded in accordance with the 7-point grading scale. 

5.1.2 An examination or a course is considered to be passed when the student has attained the assessment 'passed', 'approved' or the grade of 2 or higher.  

5.1.3 The 'passed/failed' and 'approved/non-approved' forms of assessment can account for no more than one-third of the programme's total number of ECTS points. This does not apply to credit transfers from previous examinations. 

5.1.4 When the basis for assessing a study activity is 'tuition attendance' – this assessment is made by the teacher based on criteria of which students are informed at the beginning of the course. The condition for awarding the assessment 'approved' is that the student at an examination must have achieved the learning objectives established for the course to such an extent that it would result in the assessment 'approved' or a grade of 02 at minimum.

5.1. 5 The basis for assessment in connection with tuition attendance may be one or more of the following:

  • attendance at lectures and exercises
  • completed laboratory work, portfolios and reports and completed assignments or other practical or theoretical work
  • participation in guiding internal examinations 
  • participation in seminars.

5.1.6 The student must be notified whether or not his/her participation in the course activities has been approved before the end of the semester. 

5.1.7 The study programme has been successfully completed when the student has attained:

  • the grade of 2 or higher in all examinations graded in accordance with the 7-point grading scale
  • the assessment 'passed' in all examinations assessed as either 'passed' or 'failed' 
  • the assessment 'Approved' in all examinations assessed as either 'approved' or 'non-approved'.

§ 5.2 - Special examinations

Examinations Abroad

5.2.0.1 The Academic Study Board can grant dispensation to take examinations at a Danish representation or other site abroad, when there are exceptional circumstances that prevent the student from taking the examination(s) in Denmark. The examination can be set up as a video conference or by using other technical aids. 

5.2.0.2 The student is responsible for all practical arrangements related to the examination.

5.2.0.3 All costs linked to holding the examination, cancellation of the examination due to illness (if applicable) and problems with connecting to the system, etc., for which SDU cannot be held liable, shall be paid by the student.

§ 5.2.1 - Start of study exam

5.2.1.1 Students enrolled on a master's programme must take and pass a study start examination in order to continue on their programme. The purpose of the study start examination is to verify that students have commenced their studies.

5.2.1.2 Students have two examinations attempts to pass the study start examination. 

5.2.1.3 The content and evaluation form of the study start test are described in the course description.

5.2.1.4 If warranted by special circumstances, the Academic Study Board may grant dispensation from the rules on the study start examination. 

§ 5.3 - Spelling and writing skills

5.3.1 The assessment of the Master’s thesis and other major written assignments must also, in addition to the technical content, address the student's spelling and language proficiency, regardless of the language in which the project is written.  

5.3.2 The projects must be written in a concise and easily understandable language. The wording of the written presentations or the Master’s thesis may have a positive or negative impact on the overall grade. Additional information on the language requirements is provided in the course descriptions.

5.3.3 The Academic Study Board may grant dispensation from the above spelling and wording requirements for students who can document that they suffer from a relevant, specific impairment (such as dyslexia). 

§ 5.4 - Internal or external exams

5.4.1 Examinations are either external or internal. External examinations are assessed by the teacher(s) and one or more external examiners appointed by the Danish Agency for Science and Higher Education. Internal examinations are assessed by one or more teachers appointed by the university. 

5.4.2 At least one-third of the programme's total number of ECTS points must be documented by external assessment. This includes the most important components of the programme, including the Master’s thesis, but does not apply to credits transferred from other examinations.  

§ 5.5 - Teaching and Examination Language

5.5.1 For study programmes offered in Danish, examinations will be conducted in Danish, unless part of the purpose of an examination is to document the student's foreign language proficiency. Examinations may be taken in Swedish or Norwegian instead of Danish, unless the purpose of the examination is to document the student's proficiency in Danish. 

5.5.2 For study programmes or individual courses offered in English or other foreign language, examinations will be conducted in that language, unless part of the purpose of an examination is to document the student's proficiency in a different language. The same applies if a course has been taught in a foreign language. The Academic Study Board may grant dispensation from this rule. 

5.5.3 In addition, circumstances permitting, the Academic Study Board may allow students wishing to take an examination in a foreign language, to do so. This, however, does not apply to examinations which require presentations to be given in Danish. The Academic Study Board may grant dispensation from this rule. 

§ 5.6 - Forms of tuition and assessment

Purpose

5.6.1 The purpose of the examination is to assess whether and to which extent the student's qualifications match the learning objectives laid down in the Danish Ministerial Order on Bachelor and Master's (Candidatus) Programmes at Universities (the University Programme Order, Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen), the Curriculum and the respective semester planning. The final examination provides the basis for issuing a diploma. 

Examination forms

5.6.2 The programmeincludes a variety of examination forms to reflect the content and working methods of the tuition provided. The examination forms must accommodate the purpose of the individual course/course element, and may include:

  • oral, written and practical examinations, project-oriented courses and combinations of the different forms of examination. 

5.6.3 Any requirements on mandatory attendance or completion of written assignments, etc., during the study period which must be met in order for the student to be allowed to take an examination at the end of the course or course element are specified in the relevant course description. 

5.6.4 All written campus-based examinations must be completed using a computer in accordance with the University of Southern Denmark’s rule set for written examinations.

Assessment of Group Assignments

5.6.5 Projects are normally completed by groups of students. As a rule, these groups consist of six students. The Head of Programme may allow a group to consist of fewer or more students, based on an individual professional assessment. However, these provisions do not apply to the Master’s thesis. 

Sound and/or Image Recordings

5.6.6 The use of sound and image recordings during an examination is not allowed, unless such recordings are part of the examination procedure. If so, such recordings will be made by the university.

Examination Aids

5.6.7 The use of examination aids is specified in the individual semester plans. 

§ 5.7 - Irregularities at examinations

Disciplinary Action

5.7.1 Disciplinary action will be taken against a student who: 

  • unlawfully seeks or offers help with the completion of an examination paper, or 
  • brings non-allowed examination aids to an examination, or 
  • passes the work of another off as his/her own, or
  • cites his/her own previously evaluated work without adding proper references, or
  • is otherwise found guilty of cheating at the examination

cf. Rules regarding Disciplinary Measures for Students at the University of Southern Denmark. 

5.7.2 Disciplinary action may also be taken against a student who acts in an interruptive manner during an examination.

Errors and Defects in an Examination

5.7.3 If a student discovers errors or defects in an examination, the student must contact the evaluators (for oral examinations) or the invigilators (for written examinations).

5.7.4 In case of aggravated errors or defects, or where this must be considered the most appropriate way to remedy the error or defect, the university may cancel the examination and make arrangements to conduct an extraordinary examination. Re-examination due to cancellation of the original examination may result in a lower mark.

5.7.5 The university may offer an extraordinary examination in connection with other errors or defects. The offer must apply to all students whose examinations are affected by the error or defect in question. A student who has taken the extraordinary examination may choose to retain the original assessment given.

§ 5.8 - Special examination conditions

5.8.1 Students with physical or mental impairments, a native language other than Danish or similar difficulties may apply to the Academic Study Board to be granted special examination conditions. The Academic Study Board will accommodate the request if this is found necessary in order to place such students on an equal footing with others during the examination. It is a condition that the alteration does not imply a change of the level of examination.

5.8.2 The application deadline for special examination conditions is 1 October for the winter examination term and 1 Mrch for the summer examination term. In case of chronic impairments, the Academic Study Board may approve special examination conditions for the rest of the Master’s programme.

5.8.3 The diploma will not include any information on special examination conditions.

§ 5.9 - Individual and group exams

5.9.1 Ordinary examinations will be held immediately at the end of the course leading up to the examination.

5.9.2 The student must be prepared to sit examinations throughout the examination period, but not in July. This also applies in situations when a planned examination is moved due to force majeure.

§ 5.10 - Reexams

5.10.1 Students who did not pass the ordinary examination and students who have registered for classes the semester of the ordinary examination but have failed to attend the ordinary examination can register for re-examination. 

5.10.2 Re-examinations will be held during the same examination period as the ordinary examination. The examination period for the autumn semester is 2 January - 28/29 February and for the spring semester 1 June - 31 August. In some cases, examinations can also be held in December and May. Examinations are not held in July, unless warranted by special circumstances.

5.10.3 The student must register for re-examination via Student Self-service, https://sso.sdu.dk in the following period:

  • 01-20 January for re-examination in the winter examination period (=February)
  • 01-20 June for re-examination in the summer examination period (=August)

5.10.4 Students cannot withdraw from registration for re-examination, and it will count as a failed examination attempt if the student does not take the examination unless the Academic Study Board has granted dispensation from this rule.

5.10.5 Re-examination may take a different form of examination or assessment than the ordinary examination. Students will be notified of any change in the form of examination or assessment before the examination. The form of examination for the master’s thesis, however, cannot be changed.

Consequences for not having passed an exam by 2nd attempt

5.10.6 If the student does not attend or pass the ordinary examination and the relevant re-examination, the student can register to take the examination the next time the ordinary examination is held. The student must comply with the registration period.

5.10.7 If the student failed an examination on the second attempt on a course offered by the Faculty of Engineering, the student must participate in the course and re-submit all assignments prior to the next ordinary examination (third examination attempt), unless the course is no longer offered. The Academic Study Board can grant dispensation from this rule.

§ 5.11 - Exam attemts

5.11.1 A passed examination cannot be retaken.

5.11.2 A student has three attempts to pass an examination. If warranted by extraordinary circumstances, the Academic Study Board may grant additional examination attempts. The question of academic ability cannot be considered in assessing whether or not such extraordinary circumstances exist. Supplementary courses in connection with Master's programmes constitute an exception to this rule as the student has only two (2) examination attempts where supplementary activities are concerned.

5.11.3 A student whose tuition attendance is to be assessed for the second time may demand an examination instead. Tuition attendance associated with practical exercises, however, cannot be replaced by an examination.

§ 5.12 - Requirements for exams

Failure to Meet Examination Requirements
5.12.1 If students do not meet examination requirements, this will be regarded as one examination attempt unless the Academic Study Board grants dispensation from this rule due to extraordinary circumstances.

Absence from Examination Activities
5.12.2 If the student is absent from an examination, this leads to the student losing an examination attempt. If the evaluation a course is based on an overall evaluation of two or more examination activities, absence from one or more activities leads to the student being registered as absent from the entire examination. The Academic Study Board can grant dispensation from this rule, if there are extraordinary circumstances.

Participation in Group Assignments
5.12.3 The student is required to participate actively in group assignments. For this reason, the work will be supervised by the academic supervisor. If a student fails to meet the requirement on active participation, the relevant programme co-ordinator, following the academic supervisor's or the Head of Programme's recommendation, may decide that the student be excluded from the group. The applicable criteria for assessing whether the group assignment work has been performed satisfactorily will be laid down for the assignment at the start of the supervision

§ 5.13 - Digital exams and aids at exams

5.13.1 Examinations are arranged as individual or group examinations. 

5.13.2 The basis for assessment is always individual, and individual grades are given. 

5.13.3 The course description specifies the maximum number of students who can participate in a group examination. It will not be possible to choose an individual examination instead of a group examination, the examination in Master's Thesis being an exception from this rule.

§ 6 - Credit transfer

§ 6.1 - Starting credits

6.1 The student must apply for credit transfer for course elements passed from all previous study programmes at master level immediately after enrolling in the programme in question at the Faculty of Engineering. 

§ 6.2 - Pre-approval of Credit Transfer

6.2.1 Students who wish to take course elements from a different course or at another institute of higher education in Denmark or abroad as part of their study programme can apply to the Academic Study Board for pre-approved credit transfers for planned course elements.

6.2.2. Students who wish to take on student exchange abroad for at least a semester, must have passed courses corresponding to at least 30 ECTS points on the respective master's programme. Furthermore, the student exchange may not lead to an extension of the student's study period.

6.2.3 The Academic Study Board must have pre-approved credits for courses offered in the autumn semester and which form part of the student’s pool of electives no later than at the Study Board’s meeting in August. Likewise, the Academic Study Board must have pre-approved credits for courses offered in the spring semester and which form part of the student’s pool of electives no later than at the Study Board’s meeting in January.

6.2.4 The Academic Study Board must have pre-approved credits for courses offered in the autumn semester and which are to replace constituent courses in the curriculum no later than at the Study Board’s meeting in April. Likewise, The Academic Study Board must have preapproved credit transfer for courses offered in the spring semester and which are to replace constituent subjects in the curriculum no later than at the Study Board’s meeting in November.

6.2.5 A decision of pre-approval of credit transfer puts the student under the obligation of sending documentation for passed study activities to the Academic Study Board.

6.2.6 Students must re-apply for pre-approved credit transfers if they cannot attend one or more of the course elements for which they have obtained pre-approved credit transfers.

§ 6.3 - Credit Transfer

6.3.1 Based on an academic assessment, the Academic Study Board may allow credit transfers for courses passed in a previous higher education programme in Denmark or abroad. 

6.3.2 In order for a student to be entitled to a Danish diploma and a Danish title, no more than two-thirds of the master's programme can be completed abroad.

6.3.3 It will not be possible to transfer credits from a Master's thesis forming the basis of a title under one master's programme to a different title under a different master's programme. 

6.3.4 The possibilities of credit transfers will always depend on the Academic Study Board's assessment of the level of equivalence between the relevant programme components. 

6.3.5 Previously passed programme components can only entitle credit transfers if they are at master level. 

6.3.6 Course elements whose contents coincide in part or in full with the contents of constituent course elements of the study programme in question or with any already passed course elements cannot be approved as elective courses or entitle to credit transfers to the study programme. Elective courses include all course elements which have been approved by the Academic Study Board and which are not mandatory for the programme in which the student is enrolled. 

6.3.7 Credit transfers are only given upon production of an original, official transcript of records showing the study activities passed by the student.

6.3.8 Credit transfer with grades is possible only when the previously passed study activity was graded in accordance with the 7-point grading scale, and when there is equivalence between the previously passed study activity and the study activity being substituted. Such equivalence must exist both in terms of the technical contents and in terms of the scope of the activity, as measured in ECTS points.

§ 7 - Provisions on the organisation of the programme

§ 7.1 - Enrollment and Unenrollment from teaching and exams

Course and exam registration

7.1.1 Registration for tuition and examinations shall be conducted in compliance with SDU’s rules on registering for courses and examinations.

7.1.2 The prerequisite for participating in tuition and examinations during each semester is that the student registers for the semester’s activities within the deadlines.

7.1.2.1 Registration for tuition and examination takes place electronically on Student Services Online at https://sso.sdu.dk.

7.1.2.2 The registration periods are May for tuition during the autumn semester and December for tuition during the spring semester. The registration period is published on the website and is sent by e-mail to students’ SDU e-mail addresses. It is the student's responsibility to keep abreast of the time limits for registration.

7.1.3 Registration for a course (obligatory or elective) involves automatic registration for tuition and the associated ordinary examination and a second examination attempt (re-examination), if applicable. Registration for both compulsory and elective courses is binding. However, electives can be changed. See 7.1.4 

7.1.3.1 If the student registers for courses additional to the 30 new ECTS points per semester, this registration will also be binding and cannot be cancelled. 

7.1.4 Students may swap electives within the first two weeks of the start of each semester, provided they have not used examination attempts in the electives in question.

7.1.5 The student must register for tuition and examination when the subject is offered for the final time.

7.1.6 It is the responsibility of students to check their registrations at the start of the semester. 

7.1.7 The university is not obliged to let a student attend courses beyond the level required to complete the study programme. 

Course and Exam Withdrawal

7.1.8 Withdrawal is not permitted and absence from an examination will be considered a failed examination attempt, unless the Academic Study Board grants dispensation for withdrawal from one or more courses. The student must apply for withdrawal before the exam in the course in question is held.

§ 7.2 - Deadline for programme completion (Maximum Study Period)

Maximum Study Period

7.2.1 A student must have completed the Master's programme within two-and-a-half years of commencing the programme in compliance with SDU’s Rules on Completion Times for Bachelor, Profession Bachelor or Master’s Programmes. These periods do not include any periods of granted leave. 

7.2.2 If warranted by special circumstances or the student is elite athlete, entrepreneur or a chairman for an organisation under the Danish Youth Council (DUF), the Academic Study Board may grant dispensation from the rules on the maximum study period.

§ 7.3 - Study activity

Minimum Pass Grade Requirement

7.3.1 A student must pass at least one ECTS qualifying examination during a coherent period of at least one year. Should this requirement not be fulfilled, the student's enrolment will be cancelled. 

7.3.2 If warranted by special circumstances, the Academic Study Board can grant dispensation from the minimum pass grade requirement.

§ 7.4 - Master\'s thesis

7.4.1 The Master's thesis accounts for 30 or 40 ECTS points and is a major independent written assignment which is included in the final year of a Master’s programme. For students admitted on the 4+4 Ph.D programme, the thesis constitutes 45 ECTS points. 

7.4.2 The thesis may be written individually or jointly by two students. The relevant Head of Programme may permit joint completion of a Master's Thesis project by up to three students.

7.4.3 The thesis must document the student's competences in using scientific theory and methodology in the work with a clearly defined academic subject. The subject of the thesis must be agreed with an academic supervisor. 

7.4.4 A 30 ECTS thesis must be completed in the course of four months, whereas a 40 ECTS thesis must be completed in the course of two full semesters. As a rule, the starting date and deadline for submission of the thesis are the first workday in September, and the month of January, respectively, for theses to be completed in the autumn semester, and the first workday in February, and the month of June, respectively for theses to be completed in the spring semester. In extraordinary circumstances, the Academic Study Board may grant dispensation from the above dates/deadlines.  

7.4.5 The Contract for the Master's thesis must be approved by the academic supervisor, the Head of Programme and the director of studies. A Contract for the Master's Thesis project approved by all the instances mentioned above, may be amended only if dispensation to do so has been granted by the Academic Study Board. Title changes, which do not lead to a delay in the submission date, are approved by the academic supervisor.

7.4.6 The deadline for submission of the thesis is binding. If the student fails to submit the thesis report within the set deadline, the student loses one examination attempt and the student must enter into a supplementary contract within two weeks of the original submission date. The deadline will be extended by three months from this date, and the formulation of the assignment will be extended by additional deliverables corresponding to three months' work within the original subject area. The deadline can be extended by a further three months, subject to the same conditions. Every time a deadline for submission is exceeded, this will be registered as a used examination attempt.

7.4.7 If a student does not pass his or her thesis examination, the student is under obligation to enter into a supplementary contract within two weeks of the original examination date. The supplementary contract means that the student shall extend the formulation of the assignment by additional deliverables corresponding to three months’ work within the original subject area. The student is given three months to prepare the thesis after which a new examination will be held.

7.4.8 In situations when it has not been possible to carry out lab experiments or when collaboration with a company fails, a company goes bankrupt or there are serious problems with empirical date or method selections, etc., the Academic Study Board can decide that the student shall write a new thesis with a new topic and deadline corresponding to the scope of the thesis. See 7.6.4.

7.4.9 The Master's thesis must include an abstract in a foreign language. The course description specifies which language the abstract must be written in. If the thesis is written in a foreign language, the abstract may be written in Danish. The abstract forms part of the assessment of the thesis.

7.4.10 The specific provisions on the Master's thesis are laid down in the course description.

§ 7.5 - Change of profile

7.5.1 The Academic Study Board may grant dispensation to change of profile/specialisation. Students are not permitted to extend their total standard study period if they change profile/specialisation course.

§ 7.6 - The Master\'s Degree part of the 4+4 PhD programme

7.6.1 Prior to the enrolment on the PhD programme, the student must be enrolled under a Master of Science in Engineering programme at the University of Southern Denmark and have passed 60 ECTS (=the first two semesters) of the master’s programme. The remaining 60 ECTS consist of:

  • Constituent courses on the 3rd semester of the relevant master programme corresponding to 15 ECTS 
  • Master's Thesis on 45 ECTS points (see 7.6 for further information about the thesis).

7.6.2 The student must have completed the master’s programme within three years of commencing the 4+4 PhD Programme. 

§ 7.7 - Individual activities

Individual Study Activities

7.7.1 Students may in agreement with a supervisor apply to the Academic Study Board for an individual study activity.

7.7.2 Individual study activities shall include a description of the learning outcomes in terms of knowledge, skills, competencies and assessment method.

7.7.3 An individual study activity may not be used to reduce the scope of the study programme and it may not overlap with the contents of the Master's Thesis.

7.7.4 As a general rule, students cannot combine an individual study activity with a 40 ECTS Master's Thesis.

7.7.5 As a general rule, the extent of an individual study activity may not exceed 5 ECTS points. The Academic Study Board can, under special circumstances, make an exception to this rule. 

7.7.6 Individual study activities completed in the autumn semester and which do not form part of the curriculum and which are to be included in the student’s pool of electives, must have been approved by the Academic Study Board no later than at the Study Board’s meeting in August. Likewise, individual study activities completed in the spring semester and which do not form part of the curriculum and which are to be included in the student’s pool of electives, must have been approved by the Academic Study Board no later than at the Study Board’s meeting in January.

7.7.7 Individual study activities completed in the autumn semester and which do not form part of the curriculum and which are to be included in the student’s constituent courses must have been approved by the Academic Study Board no later than at the Study Board’s meeting in April. Likewise, individual study activities completed in the spring semester and which do not form part of the curriculum and which are to be included in the student’s constituent courses must have been approved by the Academic Study Board no later than at the Study Board’s meeting in November. As a general rule, individual study activities can only substitute obligatory courses in situations, where the obligatory course in question no longer is offered, the student has not used examination attempts in the course in question, and it is not possible to take an equivalent course (pre-approval of credit transfer). 

§ 7.8 - Limitation on the number of entries

7.8.1 The university may introduce restrictions on the choice of modules and on the choice of subjects for the project assignments. The university applies academic criteria as selection criteria if there is a limited number of places on a subject. If setting academic criteria is not possible, the university may use a draw as a selection criterion.

§ 8 - Exemptions and complaints procedures

§ 8.1 - Dispensation from University regulations

8.1.1 When warranted by extraordinary circumstances, the Academic Study Board may grant dispensations from those rules of the Curriculum which have been laid down exclusively by the institution. In certain situations, where the student is elite athlete, entrepreneur or a chairman for an organisation under the Danish Youth Council (DUF), the Academic Study Board may grant a dispensation from the curriculum or the rules of SDU. The Academic Study Board may, apart from when deciding upon extra examination attempts, consider the academic ability of the student in question.

8.1.2 Any application for dispensation from the rules of the Curriculum must be made in writing, must be reasoned, and must be accompanied by relevant documentation. Costs related to acquiring such documentation shall be borne by the student. Find information on application deadlines here

§ 8.2 - Complaints over exams

8.2.1 The student is entitled to complain about an examination or other evaluation that is a constituent part of the examination. Complaints may

  • be procedural (i.e. concerning whether the matter has been handled in accordance with applicable law and general principles of administrative law), or
  • relate to the basis of examination,
  • relate to the examination procedure and/or
  • relate to the assessment of the examination

and must be submitted by the student to the university no later than 14 days after publication of the examination result. The complaint must be in writing. The complaint must be addressed to the Faculty of Engineering's Secretariat and sent to studienaevn@tek.sdu.dk.

8.2.2 The university will decide on the complaint based on the assessors' professional opinion and the complainant's comments on the result. The decision may offer a reassessment or a re-examination, or may find against the complainant. A re-assessment or re-examination could result in a lower grade. Complaints cannot be made about examination basis, examination procedures or assessment related to the study start examination.

§ 8.3 - Complaints over University decisions

Appeals regarding procedural matters

8.3.1 The student is entitled to file a procedural appeal (i.e. concerning whether the matter has been handled in accordance with applicable law and general principles of administrative law) against the university's decisions, including decisions made by the Academic Study Board. Procedural appeals may be submitted to the Danish Agency for Science and Higher Education.

8.3.2 The appeal must be submitted to the University no later than 14 days after the student has been notified of the contested decision. The complaint must be in writing. The appeal must be addressed to the secretariat of the Academic Study Board at the Faculty of Engineering and sent to studienaevn@tek.sdu.dk. 

Complaints about credit transfers and pre-approved credit transfers

8.3.3 Complaints about academic issues (ie. whether the qualifications the student has/would acquire can substitute parts of the study programme in question) in connection with the refusal or partial refusal of

Academic issues

  • pre-approved credit transfers for Danish or foreign course elements, and
  • credit transfers for Danish and foreign course elements that have been passe

can be submitted to a credit transfer Appeals board in accordance with the rules on Appeals boards for decisions regarding credit transfers for university programmes (the ministerial order on credit transfer appelas boards). The complaint must be submitted to the University no later than 14 days after the student has been notified of the contested decision. The complaint must be in writing and include an explanation of the reasons for the appeal. The complaint must be addressed to the secretariat of the Academic Study Board at the Faculty of Engineering and sent to studienaevn@tek.sdu.dk. 

8.3.4 Complaints about judicial issues (ie. whether the case has been processed in agreement with existing laws and gen-eral principles of adminstrative law) in connection with the refusal or partial refusal of

Judicial issues
  • pre-approved credit transfers for Danish or foreign course elements, and
  • credit transfers for Danish and foreign course elements that have been passed

can be submitted to the Vice-Chancellor’s Secretariatin accordance with the rules on Appeals boards for decisions regarding credit transfers for university programmes (the ministerial order on credit transfer appelas boards). The complaint must be submitted to the University no later than 14 days after the student has been notified of the contested decision. The complaint must be in writing and include an explanation of the reasons for the appeal. The complaint must be addressed to the secretariat of the Academic Study Board at the Faculty of Engineering and sent to studienaevn@tek.sdu.dk.

§ 9 - The affiliation of the programme

§ 9 - Transitions

9.1 The rules concerning maximum period of study, which were valid at the time of admission and enrolment, apply on students admitted and enrolled on a Master's study programme before 1 September 2015. Ie. these students must have completed the study programme within 3 years from the commencement of studies.  

9.2 Transitional Curriculum Arrangements (programme specific)

Upon effective date of the curriculum, earlier curricula will be phased out and the affected courses will be taught and examined for the last time concurrently with the phasing out of the curriculum. For details please refer to the individual course descriptions. 

Students enrolled on earlier curricula will continue on their current curriculum and will not be affected by these changes unless they are behind in their studies and have yet to pass courses that are no longer offered or for some other reason apply for change of curriculum.

Students enrolled on earlier curricula who do not follow the prescribed course of study will not be offered special teaching. Thus, students who have yet to pass courses that are no longer offered must replace those courses with courses from the new curriculum. Alternatively, students can apply to the study board for change of curriculum. 

Leave of absence and re-enrollment

In cases of re-enrollment the faculty will decide whether the student is enrolled on this curriculum or will continue on his/her original curriculum. At the end of a leave of absence the student will be enrolled on his/her original curriculum unless the student applies for a change of curriculum. 

Credit transfer

There is no basis for credit transfer from previous curricula.

§ 9.1 - Academic Study Board

Academic Study Board of the Faculty of Engineering

§ 9.2 - External examiners

Danish corps of external examiners for engineering education

§ 9.3 - Effective date

01-09-2021

§ 9.4 - Date of Study Board Approval

07-09-2021

§ 9.5 - Date of Deans Approval

07-09-2021