Abstract:

As a concept, Mechatronics is a flexible, multi-technological possibility to integrate mechanical engineering, electronics, computer science and informatics for realizing intelligent products and systems.

Together with the introduction of Mechatronics as a domain of engineering sciences, there appeared naturally also the need to study it within a study programme in the techical higher education institutions. Beginning with the end of the 1980's in the United States and Japan and the beginning of the 1990's in Europe, many universities started offering study programmes in this domain.

It can be stated with certainty that Mechatronics has overcome the stage of novelty, as a concept, as branch of the engineering sciences and, not least, as study programme in the technical higher education institutions.

Nonetheless, the approaches of the universities to the structure of the study programme's curriculum are still extremely diverse. Currently, it is almost impossible to preduct if and when a common vision on the contents of the mechatronics specialist's training would be reached, at least in Europe.

The recent industrial development of Sibiu, corroborated with the development of the entire central region of Romania, based initially on the founding of numerous companies that are active in the domain of automated production and computer-aided manufacturing, has led also to a significant increase in the need of industrial companies to integrate in their human resources structure engineers possessing multi-and interdisciplinary technical knowledge. Thus, it was considered as necessary to found a new interdisciplinary study programme at the Faculty of Engineering of the “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, Mechatronics.

The work will present the ideas and the steps unfolded in designing the curricula for Mechatonic study programme at the Faculty of Engineering of the “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu. This was based on two main general ideas:
A. The mission of the study programme “Mechatronics” consists in training specialists who are capable of integrating the principles of mechatronics in the conception and realizing of machines and industrial products requested by the market, in conditions of high precision and quality, reduced conception and production time and minimal manufacturing costs.
B. The graduates of the study programme Mechatronics must be able to conceive, design, use, monitor, maintain and repair mechatronic products and systems.

The specific training objectives were defined as:
- the computer-aided study, design and modelling of mechanical systems within the structure of mechatronic systems;
- the study, knowledge and design of electrical and electronic systems within the structure of mechatronic systems;
- the study, knowledge and design of hardware and software solutions for the control of mechatronic systems;
- the study and knowledge of the principles of automated systems, of the basics of the machines' and robots' intelligence;
- the study of constructive and design principles of mechatronic systems.

Keywords:

Curriculum design, mechatronics, industry.