The objective of the Master’s course in Mechanical engineering is to train engineers who should be capable of mastering complex and varied scientific, technological and human problems related to mechanical engineering.
Upon graduating, students will have acquired the requisite basic knowledge in all the main fields of Mechanical engineering (fluid mechanics and transfer phenomena, computational methods in applied mechanics, mechanics of materials and structures, applied dynamics, mechanical manufacturing and production, mechanical design, thermal machinery, thermodynamics and energetics). Their education will have been both theoretical and practical, notably via laboratory and project work.
Students may choose to have a standard degree, by choosing their elective courses to make up a basic curriculum in Mechanics. They may also choose to specialize, by following one of many specific streams.

The Master’s curriculum in Mechanical engineering will require a minimum total of 120 credits covering two years, with a minimum of 60 credits per year, and comprising :
-         a 44-credit core curriculum
-         specialist courses in mechanics (30 credits)
-         a possible specialization in one of the 9 suggested fields (aeronautics, mechanical production and manufacturing, energy, polymer working, metal working, biomechanics, numerical modelling in mechanics, management, setting up of small and medium-sized companies), with a maximum of 30 credits in said field
-         elective courses, with a minimum total of 25 credits
The final thesis is generally written during the last year. However, students may choose to take any given course in the first or second year, subject to possible prerequisites. This will be the case in particular for students pursuing part of their education abroad.
If, in the course of his (her) former curriculum, a student has already been credited with a subject included in the compulsory core curriculum, or any training deemed equivalent, this subject will be replaced by any elective course within the imposed constraints. The student is responsible for checking whether the minimum total number of credits has been reached, as well as those of the specialized field, which will appear on the final diploma.
The student’s curriculum will be scrutinized for acceptance by the Mechanical engineering diploma committee.

Accessible  complementary Master’s : Nuclear engineering
Accessible Ph.D. studies : via GRASMECH doctoral school

Possibility for students to choose a strong specialization in any given field, with a varied choice of specializations within the main themes of mechanical enginering (aeronautics, mechanical manufactring, energy, material forming, biomechanics, …) or else to prefer a standard curriculum including elective courses. 
                                          
Features intended to favour interdisplinarity :
The currriculum is quite varied and leads to a wide range of scientific and technological fields.

Variety of teaching methods :
The pedagogy applied within this programme follows directly from that of the Bachelor’s: active learning, balanced mix of group effort and individual work, time set aside for learning non-technical competencies.
This pedagogy stresses project work involving various subjects, and thereby aims to develop students’ good judgment, allowing them to design, model, manufacture and experimentally assess all types of systems, prototypes, and devices.
A strong feature of the curriculum lies in the students’ immersion into the instructors’ research laboratories (on the occasion of course laboratory activities, case studies, projects or final theses), thereby allowing them to become familiar with cutting edge techniques and to learn the investigative approach of research work
The final thesis amounts to half the workload of the final year. It allows the student to investigate a given topic in depth and, due to its scope and context, can be considered as a true initiation to the professional life of an engineer or a researcher.

Diversity of learning situations :
The student will encounter diverse pedagogical tools adapted to various disciplines : formal lectures, project work, tutorials, problem-based learning, case studies, laboratory work, computer simulations, computer tutorials, industrial and research training, construction site and factory visits, cultural trips, group and personal activities, seminars, …). For some subjects, e-learning will allow students to learn at their own rhythm and to experience virtual experimentation.
This variety of situations will help students to build their knowledge in an iterative and progressive manner, while developing their autonomy, organizational skills, time management, and capacity to use various modes of communication, …The most advanced computer equipment (hardware, software, networks) is made available to assist students in their work.
The company launching specialization is based on an interactive approach and problem-based learning. Throughout the curriculum, students are required to perform group activities in multi-disciplinary groups. The final thesis is also multi-disciplinary and designed in such a way that groups of three students, ideally from three different faculties, should work on a company launching project.
This Master’s features a leaning towards the industrial world. On should note, in particular, the possibility of choosing a 10-credit industrial traineeship.

All learning activities are assessed as prescribed by the University internal regulations (see exam regulations), viz. written and oral exams, laboratory exams, individual or group work, public presentation of projects and final thesis.

Global framework

The Faculty of Applied Sciences has taken part, since their inception, in all the various mobility programmes which have been set up at both the European and world levels.
The numerous contacts it has with professional circles, notably via its Advisory Board, have demonstrated  to what extent employers are favourably impressed by a mobility experience in someone’s CV. The ever-increasing internationalization of research via networks linking laboratories throughout the world, speaks in favour of encouraging this mobility.
Students’ interest is aroused at the end of their Bachelor studies, notably via intensive courses such as those of the ATHENS (  ) or BEST (  ) networks.
In the course of the two-year Master’s programme, students are encouraged to take part in a 1- or 2-semester exchange scheme
Within Belgium, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is involved in a privileged partnership with the Faculteit Ingenieurswetenschappen of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, with whom it has set up an exchange scheme relating to the first year of the Master’s curriculum (   ).
At the European level, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is strongly involved in the CLUSTER excellence network (  ). This network encourages internal mobility, since this is a guarantee of quality as concerns both the level of teaching and the hosting of exchange students. Moreover, Cluster partners have signed an agreement recognizing each other’s Bachelor’s curricula. This agreement stipulates that all Bachelors of network institutions will have access to the Master’s studies in any institution on a par with local students.
Outside Europe, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is a partner in the Magalha#s network, which groups about fifteen European universities together with the best South American science and technology universities (   ).
Besides these network partnerships, the Faculty has also signed a number of individual agreements with various universities in Europe, North Americ or elsewhere in the world. A list of these agreements may be found on the website of UCL International Relations (  ).

International possibilities (for UCL students)

UCL is also a partner in the TIME programme (  ) which gives students the opportunity to obtain two engineeering degrees, via a specifically tailored curriculum.
Double Master’s degrees are operational with the following institutions :
-         ENSMP France (subsidized by the Institut Français du Pétrole – IFP)
-         Supaéro Toulouse (TIME programme)
-         ENSICA Toulouse
Besides intensive courses which are one component of international relations, FAS students with outstanding results are encouraged to apply for 5- or 10-month exchange programmes. When taking place during the first Master’s year, exchanges are generally 10 month’s long. In the second year, they only last for a semester, either as courses or else research in a foreign laboratory as a complement to the final thesis.
Some other more specific exchange programmes have been set up with South America, where the academic year is naturally on an “austral” basis.
Students are informed about the various exchnge programmes as from their second Bachelor’s year. They are encouraged to prepare for their exchange in a timely manner, notably by taking language courses at the Modern Languages Institute of UCL.
The FAS’s participation in the MERCATOR exchange programme should also be mentioned.
A double degree Master’s with Clemson University (South Carolina) is also in preparation.

International appeal (for non residents)

The Master’s in Mechanical Engineering proposes a complete and high level training in a universally recognized field, viz. “Mechanical Engineering”. All the facets of the profession are covered, from the most theoretical (Fluid and solid mechanics, Transfer phenomena, System dynamics) through to the application of these theories to design, manufacturing and assembly of a wide range of products. Applications are countless (automobile industry, aviation, machinery, energetics, etc.). Various optional streams (aeronautics, mechanical production and manufacturing, energy, polymer working, metal working, biomechanics, numerical modelling in mechanics, etc.) allow the student to develop advanced competencies in a specific field. The student can also pursue a “standard” course (without any particular specialization) via a free choice of electives. Whatever the choice, the student will be on track for a well-defined profession, that of a professional Mechanical Engineer.

This specialization aims to give Mechanical engineering students all the basics to allow them to master the application of Mechanics to the field of aeronautics. All aspects are covered : aeronautical structures, vibrations, aerodynamics, flight dynamics, etc. This training will entail advanced courses in Mechanics of solids and fluids, with particular emphasis on numerical methods, as well as laboratory work. All aspects of aeronautical construction are also covered (design, manufacturing and production).

This specialization is common to Mechanical and Electromechanical Master’s curricula, and aims to give students a comprehensive training in the field. All the phases of a mechanical manufacturing process are studied, from design and appropriate manufacturing techniques to production planning and workshop management. All the necessary technological concepts (machine components) and solid knowledge in mechanics (elasticity and plasticity) are also included, so as to acquire a good mastery of machining and the behaviour of  the materials being implemented. Particular attention is given to modern automation and robotics.

This specialization aims to give mechanical engineering students an advanced training in all aspects of plastic or composite forming. To this end, the students are first given additional courses on the physical and chemical properties and the behaviour of polymers and composite materials (visco-elastic streses, orientation effects). Then, the major forming techniques of these materials are examined (injection and compression moulding, extrusion, etc.) from a thermo-mechanical and technological viewpoint. Finally, numerical modelling of these processes is studied, with a view to tuning these processes via “numerical” experimentation.

This specialization aims to give mechanical engineering students an advanced training in all aspects of the forming oif metallic components. To this end, the students are first given additional courses on the physical and chemical properties and the behaviour of metals (basic structure of alloys, quenching and work hardening effects, etc.). Then, the major metal forming techniques are examined in detail (drawing, rolling, forging, extrusion, stamping, etc.) with particular emphasis on welding techniques. Finally, the numerical modelling of these processes is studied, with a view to tuning these processes via “numerical” experimentation.

This specialization is common to Mechanical and Electromechanical Master’s curricula, and aims to give students all the necessary knowledge to be able to master the application of mechanics to this field. First, various physiological systems  (circulatory, repiratory, etc.) as well as the dynamic behaviour of the human body are studied from a biological and mechanical point of view (as fluid or solid systems), which also leads to physiotherapy issues. Then, the design and production of bio-engineering components and micro-components (artificial implants, valves, prostheses, etc.) are analysed from a mechanical point of view. Finally, various courses complete the curriculum by establishing a link between biology and mechanics.

This specialization is common to Mechanical and Electromechanical Master’s curricula, and strives to bring together all mechanics courses which are concerned with the development and implementation of numerical simulation algorithms aimed at solving transfer, systems dynamics or solid or fluid dynamics problems. There are numerous applications of these theories, in particular for vehicle dynamics and aerodynamics (automobiles, trains, aircraft), materials forming (polymers, composites, metals), and long-term resistance of mechanical components.

This specialization is common to most Engineering Master’s curricula, and aims to familiarize students with the specific issues related to SMCs, entrepreneurship, and company launching so as to develop the skills, knowledge and tools required to launch a company. Access is restricted to a small number of students, further to a report on their motivation and individual interviews. The motivation reports must be submitted before the beginning of the academic year at the following address
Secrétariat CPME – Place des Doyens , 1 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve (Te : 10/47 84 59)
For the students who are selected, the final thesis will be specific to the specialization (same number of credits).

This specialization is common to most Engineering Master’s curricula, and aims to familiarize students with the basics of company management.