Appendix 2: Specialisations

The aeronautics track focuses on modeling, analysis and design of aircraft. The overall objectives are that the student should be able to design and estimate the performance of an aircraft, compute its aerodynamic properties, simulate its motion in flight, and analyze how the aerodynamic and structural properties influence stability and control. The track is characterized by a strong interaction between theory and practice, and the student will plan, perform and evaluate several wind tunnel tests during the education. An engineer with this profile is particularly attractive to companies working in aerodynamics and aeronautics.

The Lightweight Structures track focuses on analysis and development of lightweight materials and structures for more efficient solutions and products. Reduced structural weight can be used for improved structural efficiency, more cost effective production and maintenance, and reduced environmental impact. Emphasis is put on fiber composites, non-metallic materials and sandwich structures, often used in applications with extreme requirements. Students following the track develop knowledge and skills in analysis, design, optimization, materials, manufacturing and testing of lightweight structures. Design of fibre composites call for a systems approach to the choice of materials, manufacturing processes and product solutions, preparing students for future roles as engineers working with development of new products or applications. There is a constant need for skilled structural engineers within aerospace-, naval- and automotive engineering, as well as in smaller businesses working with e.g. more niched manufacturing or innovative design solutions.

Space technology plays a key role in modern society, enabling telecommunication and navigation services, weather forecasting, Earth observation and much more. The space track focuses on applications related to rocket and satellite technology, with particular emphasis on propulsion, trajectory analysis, spacecraft dynamics and system perspective. The space environment and its impact on the design and instrumentation of satellites is another central theme in the education. Wider perspective is offered by courses in human spacecraft, space research etc. The space track can conveniently be combined with (parts of) the other tracks in the program to create an attractive competence profile. As a space engineer you can for example work with development, testing and operation of satellites, launchers, sounding rockets or other space systems.

Aircrafts, trains and satellites are examples of complex systems that have to be designed with reliable controlsystems and efficient maintenance plans to be competitive in today's global market. The overallobjective with the systems track is that you should be able to develop mathematical models ofsystems in order to analyze and optimize their performance. Control theory had a crucial role in thedevelopment of rockets, and has since improved robustness and performance of modern airplanes. Today, it is becoming an increasingly important factor in other areas such as the automotive industryand communications systems. A systems engineer could be working with the design of the control ofthe damping in an aircraft landing gear, or on how to find the least costly spare parts managementsystem or analyzing the reliability of a radar system. A systems engineer is attractive to a largenumber of industries in various fields.