Computational Mechanics

Overview The programme is taught in English and is designed for students coming from diverse technical backgrounds. The first semester brings everyone onto the same footing with required courses covering fundamental topics in Structural Mechanics and Analysis, Fluid Mechanics, Computational Mechanics, and Computation in Engineering. New students also receive a tailored introduction to C++ during an onboarding week to ensure a common programming foundation.

In the second and third semesters you personalise your studies by selecting elective courses to create a specialised profile that matches your interests and career goals. You may include up to 10 ECTS from a range of other courses across the university to broaden or deepen your skill set. During these semesters you will also take part in the Software Lab module: small, interdisciplinary teams work on a software project that converts theoretical and methodological knowledge into practical implementations.

The fourth semester is reserved for your Master’s thesis, which is worth 30 ECTS and completes the degree. Overall, the structure combines core theoretical training, practical software development experience, and options for individual specialisation—preparing you for research or industry roles that require strong computational and engineering skills.

Key programme components / requirements

• Instruction language: English
• First semester: compulsory modules in Structural Mechanics and Analysis, Fluid Mechanics, Computational Mechanics, and Computation in Engineering
• Onboarding week with an introduction to C++
• Second and third semesters: elective courses to build an individual specialisation
• Up to 10 ECTS may be taken from various courses across the university to complement the programme
• Software Lab (second and third semesters): interdisciplinary, small-group software project for practical implementation experience
• Fourth semester: Master’s thesis (30 ECTS) to finalise the degree

This master’s curriculum is organized to balance solid core training, flexible specialization, and a substantial research project. The program allocates 30% of its workload to compulsory (core) courses that ensure a common foundation in the theory and numerical methods central to computational mechanics. A large portion—42.5%—is reserved for elective courses, giving you room to deepen technical expertise or branch into interdisciplinary topics. A small share (2.5%) is set aside for general education, and the remaining 25% is dedicated to the Master’s thesis.

Core modules typically consolidate advanced mathematical and engineering fundamentals so you can build robust simulation models and numerical solvers. Electives let you tailor your studies—by choosing advanced topics, applications, or complementary skills—and are where you develop specialized competencies. The Master’s thesis is a major research component: it trains you to define a research question, implement computational experiments or develop algorithms, validate results, and communicate findings in written and oral form.

Learning outcomes from this structure include the ability to apply advanced computational techniques to engineering problems, to critically assess and extend numerical methods, and to carry out independent research projects that produce reproducible, well-documented results. The balance between coursework and thesis is designed to prepare graduates for technical R&D roles in industry or for continued academic research.

Program composition (summary)

• 30% compulsory (core) courses — common foundations in computational mechanics and numerical methods
• 42.5% elective courses — options for specialization and interdisciplinary study
• 2.5% general education courses — broader academic skills
• 25% Master’s thesis — independent research project

For the full curriculum and module descriptions, consult the program PDF (download available). If you’d like, I can help summarize the PDF or highlight likely elective tracks and career paths based on your interests.

The programme prepares graduates for technical roles that combine mechanics, numerical simulation and software development. Typical career paths include simulation and development positions in automotive, aerospace, energy and manufacturing industries, roles in research and development teams, or technical software engineering for engineering tools and CAE products. Graduates are also well prepared to continue to doctoral research in computational mechanics or related fields.

Because of the programme’s practical Software Lab and industry ties, many students find opportunities for internships and thesis collaborations with leading local companies, which can facilitate entry into international engineering and research organisations.