Mechatronics

The programme covers the wide field of mechatronics. Mechatronics involves a synergistic combination of mechanical engineering, electronics and measurement and control in the design of products and processes. It focuses on Mechatronic Design that can be defined as: the integrated and optimal design of a mechanical system and its embedded control system.

By means of an integrated design of the mechanical parts and the measurement and control system, realised in electronic circuits or as an embedded computer program, mechanical constructions can get a superior performance, lower price and can become more flexible. Well known examples are the audio CD-player and its successors the CD-ROM and DVD as well as many automotive applications, robots, advanced production machines and so on.

To present a coherent package of courses and lab works, this wide application area inevitably means that the programme will consist of specialisations in one application area; the possibility to tailor the programme to individual needs is kept open. As backgrounds of candidates may vary widely, there is a homologizing phase in which a sufficient basis is laid with respect to knowledge in ME and EE.

Offered by groups with a long experience in mechatronics

The University of Twente has a longstanding tradition in mechatronic research. Mechatronic activities formally started in 1989 in the Mechatronics Research Centre Twente that was converted  into the Drebbel Institute for Mechatronics in 1998. The MSc programme is offered by the Faculties of EEMCS (Departments of Electrical Engineering and Applied Mathematics) and CTW (Department of Mechanical Engineering). MSc projects will be done in the research groups of the Drebbel Institute for Mechatronics.

Relevance of a Mechatronics degree

Mechatronics as a discipline is young. In fact a mechatronic system can only be realised because of the recent availability of low-priced (micro-) electronics and computers. It is by nature a multidisciplinary field involving mechanical engineering, systems and control, software and electronics. Europe harbours major players in the mechatronics industry: Philips, ASML, ABB, SGS Thomson, Océ and others. Applications of mechatronics are widely spread: consumer electronics, such as CD- and DVD-players, video recorders and cameras, photocopiers, automotive industry, production machines etceteras. Students graduating from this programme have a wide range of employability world-wide. Students interested in a research career, either in industry or at the university could consider to continue their studies as a PhD student in the Drebbel Institute for Mechatronics.

Prerequisites

Students with a BSc in EE or ME or in another relevant discipline, such as Applied Mathematics or Applied Physics have the right background for the Msc programme Mechatronics. The programme is open to students with a BSc from a Dutch university as well as from foreign universities and from polytechnics. Admittance will be based on a decision of a selection committee. This admission committee will decide on a full submission of credentials by prospective candidates and referees.