Are you passionate about developing the next generation of production plants in global manufacturing companies? In the master’s programme Production engineering you will learn about the latest advances in digital production and gain skills to improve manufacturing processes and high-performing sustainable production systems.
Production engineering master's programme at Chalmers
This master's programme aims at conveying the knowledge, judgment and skills required to design and improve manufacturing processes and high-performing sustainable production systems. This includes leading development projects as well as managing such systems in full operation. Within the programme, there is a close cooperation with industry providing an attractive environment both for national and international students as several of the collaborating companies operate on the global market.
Manufacturing is of fundamental importance for the welfare in society and is closely related to the capability of fulfilling the demands for economic, ecologic and social sustainability.
Around one third of the jobs in the European Union are related to the manufacturing sector and there are many global manufacturing companies located in Gothenburg, e.g. Volvo Cars, Volvo Trucks, and SKF. The Production engineering master's programme is continuously interacting with these companies and many more through real-world project courses, master thesis projects, field-trips, guest lectures etc.
Topics covered
The subjects of automation technology and production management are fundamental areas in the Production engineering master’s programme. The courses included in the programme plan handle topics such as production systems, mechatronics and manufacturing.
Master's programme structure
The master's programme runs for a duration of two years, leading to a Master of Science (MSc) degree. During each year, students can earn 60 credits (ECTS) and complete the programme by accumulating a total of 120 credits. Credits are earned by completing courses where each course is usually 7.5 credits. The programme consists of compulsory courses, compulsory elective courses and elective courses. In addition, the programme architecture enables students to select courses across three main occupational tracks:
- Production systems engineering - prepares for taking an active role in developing complex production systems. The work tasks include planning for new or updated industrial facilities, e.g. with purchasing of automation technology and design of efficient production flows. Furthermore, the profile track emphasizes the need for safe and profitable involvement of human resources. Skills in building virtual models of products, machines, cells, and production lines are central as a sustainable way of working for future engineers.
- Manufacturing process engineering - contains the work tasks to select suitable processes, tools and machines for value adding manufacturing operations in the physical materials. Computer-based tools are frequently used as virtual aids for preparing manufacturing processes such as forming, cutting, casting, and joining as well as planning the manufacturing of polymer and composite materials.
- Production management engineering – focuses on the management of resources and activities, typically on a factory and/or enterprise level. Important aspects are: to align the production systems design to the strategy of the company, to initiate and manage design and change initiatives in production, to plan and control the effective use of materials and production units to meet customer demands, and to ensure that modern production technologies and philosophies are efficiently implemented.
Compulsory courses year 1
During the first year the programme starts with five compulsory courses that form a common foundation in Production Engineering. Each course is usually 7.5 credits.
- Manufacturing process
- Production management
- Production systems
- Production ergonomics and work design
- Research methodology in production projects
Compulsory courses year 2
In the second year you must complete a master's thesis in order to graduate. The thesis may be worth 30 credits or 60 credits depending on your choice.
Compulsory elective courses
Through compulsory elective courses, you can then specialize in production systems engineering, manufacture process engineering, production management engineering, or a combination thereof. During year 1 and 2, you need to select at least 3 compulsory elective courses out of the following in order to graduate.
Profile track: Production systems engineering
Compulsory elective courses
- Simulation of production systems
- Production logistics
- Production and product service systems
- Robotics and manufacturing automation
Elective courses
- Constraint prog. And applied optimization
- Product lifecycle management (PLM)
- Industry project
Profile track: Manufacturing process engineering
Compulsory elective courses
- Metal cutting
- Additive manufacturing
- Metal forming and joining
Elective courses
- Polymer processing and properties
- Advanced computer aided design
- Materials characterization and failure analysis
- Industry project
Profile track: Production management engineering
Compulsory elective courses
- Lean management
- Production logistics
- Production and product service systems
- Manufacturing strategy
Elective courses
Career
The professional area for a production engineer goes across sectors - from automotive, medicine and health care industry to food production. With a broad production engineering knowledge base, the programme gives a wide spectrum of career opportunities including advancement as specialists in the areas of Production Systems, Manufacturing Processes, and Production Management.
Three of the most common employments directly after graduation are:
- Manufacturing engineer: developing production lines and new technology at major companies and SMEs.
- Manufacturing and logistics consultants, e.g. in the virtual manufacturing field.
- Manufacturing management trainees at major companies such as Volvo, Scania, and Orkla Foods.
Other common examples among our alumni are: project leaders, automation engineers, machine designers, business developers, and managers for production and development organisations after some years of work experience.
Some examples of employers are: H&M, Scania Trucks, Volvo Cars, Volvo Trucks, SKF, Toyota, Rolls Royce, Ericsson and ÅF. Our graduates are also qualified for PhD studies at Chalmers or other universities worldwide.
Research within Production engineering
The master's programme is part of Chalmers’ Production Area of Advance and the courses are given by four different departments: Materials and Manufacturing Technology, Product and Production Development, Signals and systems, and Technology Management and Economics.
All these departments have prominent research activities together with partner companies such as Volvo Cars, Volvo Trucks, GKN Aerospace, and many more. The students of Production Engineering can thereby take advantage of up-to-date research advancements. For students interested in an occupation in the academic field, the programme offers preparatory courses for starting a research career.
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Admissions academic year 2023/24
Application
General entry requirements
An applicant must either have a Bachelor's degree in Science/Engineering/Technology/Architecture or be enrolled in his/her last year of studies leading to such a degree.
Specific entry requirements
Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with the main field of study: Mechanical Engineering, Automation and Mechatronics Engineering or Industrial Engineering and Management.
Prerequisites: Mathematics (at least 30 credits including Linear Algebra, Numerical Analysis, Multivariable Analysis and Mathematical Statistics), Mechanics, Strength of Materials or Solid Mechanics, Engineering Materials, Manufacturing Engineering, Automation or Automatic Control, Industrial Economics, Computer-Aided Design and Programming.
English language requirements
Chalmers Bachelor’s degree
Are you enrolled in a Bachelor’s degree programme at Chalmers now or do you already have a Bachelor’s degree from Chalmers? If so, different application dates and application instructions apply.
Important links
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Basic facts
Degree: Master of Science (MSc)
Credits: 120
Duration: 2 years
Level: Second Cycle, Master's
Rate of study: Full-time, 100%
Instructional time: Daytime
Language of instruction: English
Teaching form: On-campus (Location: campus Johanneberg)
Tuition fee: 160 000 SEK/academic year
*EU/EEA Citizens are
not required to pay fees
Contact
Questions about the application:
Chalmers Admissions, admissions@chalmers.se
Specific questions about the programme:
Anders Skoogh, Director of master's programme
Other master's programmes that might interest you
Student interview
“Having hands on-experience really helps”
Juan, Mexico, Production Engineering
Chat with Juan
Why did you choose this programme?–During my bachelor studies, I had the opportunity to be an intern in two different manufacturing companies. When I finished my bachelor, I scored my first full-time job as a packaging engineer in a Mexican company. This job changed my perspective of the industry, but I was interested in learning more about production. I was already aware of Chalmers because I was an exchange student here during my bachelor’s. That’s why I knew where to look for this Master’s programme.
What have you been working on?
– I have been working on a project for my Ergonomics and work design course where the final product originally takes around 25 minutes to be assembled. The goal is to reduce that time down to five minutes by improving the ergonomics of the workstation, tools and the resources used. Having hands-on experience of the actual assembly and being able to assemble and disassemble every component in the lab really lets you understand the ergonomics involved in the process. In the end, we are going to present the project with a video of our improved assembly process.
What do you like the most about your programme?
– There are many different areas involved in the production, so having three different profile tracks is amazing. I really like that we get to visit many different companies and have assignments or projects involving them. Having classmates from different nationalities is also great because we can discuss our point of view from different perspectives.
What do you want to do in the future?
– I would like to work for a while here in Sweden. I’m very interested in production management, and the industry here in Gothenburg offers some great opportunities. I am also interested in starting my own company, but I would like to gain more experience beforehand.