Course Structure

The Master’s Programme:

The Master's programme has 3 different Degrees:

  • Expert in Theoretical and Practical Application of Finite Element Method.
    • o Attendees must take all Basic Modules (29 ECTS)
  • Specialist in Theoretical and Practical Application of Finite Element Method and CAE Simulation
    • Attendees must take all Basic Modules (29 ECTS) and one specialized module (10 ECTS). Total of 39 ECTS
  • Master's in Theoretical and Practical Application of Finite Element Method and CAE Simulation
    • Attendees must take the Expert module (29 ECTS), two Specialized modules (2 x 10 ECTS = 20 ECTS) and the Master's Final Project (11 ECTS). Total of 60 ECTS.

The Expert, Specialist and Master's degrees meet internationally approved credit point system (ECTS).

Accessing this postgraduate course requires at least an EHEA Bachelor's degree (EEES level).

The Master's Program can be completed in 1 year.

See some examples of a training plan in the image below:

Note: Example 5 (1 Year: Specialist Practical Application during the first year (30 ECTS)



Module Structure

The Master's program has different types of modules: the Basic Modules, the Specialized Modules and the Master's Final Project.

Each module, except the Master's thesis, consists of a list of subjects that can be grouped into three types:

  • Fundamentals Subjects

    Basic and theoretical subjects.

  • Software Application Subjects

    Hands-on training using a commercial software program for each module.

  • Practical Application Exercises

    In this subject you will apply the knowledge acquired in the previous subjects to real problems through examples and exercises.

The objective of these subjects is for attendees to develop the necessary knowledge and skills required to apply them in practice in their professional careers.

The Expert Degree

Completion of this degree is necessary in order to be awarded the “Expert in Theoretical and Practical Application of the Finite Element Method” degree.

The Expert Degree includes the following modules:

1. FEM General Theory. The aim of this module is to consolidate the foundations of the Finite Element Method, by thinking mainly about its application in structure analysis, although the basic ideas can be generalized without any difficulty.

2. Introduction to FEM Programming. The objectives of this module are focused on teaching students to use and introduce desired changes on a small computer program using the Finite Element Method. To that end, the student is provided with solid basis of programming with some basic algorithms related to data structure and numerical calculation. Thus, using this basis and simple programming language the programming of the Finite Element Method is addressed.

3. Numerical Calculation. The purpose of this module is to introduce basic numerical calculation techniques employed in the FEM to the student and to serve as the first contact base with the numerical methods.

4. Material Constitutive Laws. The main objective of the subject course is to represent nonlinear behavior of materials through mathematical models.

5. FEA Software Practice. the ANSYS Mechanical software has been chosen since it is a general-purpose program, which in addition allows the use of a specific license for the Master’s. A standard of FEA programs, it permits the user to put into practice all the knowledge that has been taught on the course and in its specific modules.

The Specialized Modules

The Specialized Modules focus strongly on various areas of interest. In order to be awarded the “Specialist in Theoretical and Practical Application of the Finite Element Method and CAE Simulation” the student must complete the Expert Degree and, at least, one Specialized Module (39 ECTS). The available specielized modules are the following (10 ECTS each one):

  • • Dynamic Analysis
  • • Nonlinear Analysis
  • • Heat Transfer
  • • Fluid Mechanics
  • • Composite Structures

The Master's Final Project

Upon successful completion of the Master's Thesis after having completed the Expert Degree and a minimum of two Specialized Modules, the student will be awarded with the “Master's in Theoretical and Practical application of the Finite Element Method and CAE simulation” degree (60 ECTS).

The Diplomas are issued by Spain's UNED University.

Academic Path

Although it is possible for attendees to enroll in a maximum of 60 ECTS per year (so the full Master’s programme could be achieved), a lower workload is highly recommended (especially in the case of professionals who are working during the Master's Program).

Notes

  • Attendees must pass each module they enroll in, otherwise, they will need to re-enroll and successfully complete the module (the subjects are not considered as stand-alone).

  • Attendees can enroll in a maximum of 60 ECTS per year. The Master's degree (60 ECTS) can be completed in one year.

  • The attendees only have to enroll in the Modules to which they will attend during that year.

    Minimum enrolment for modules is three students.