Abstract:

In 2008, at “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, a new bachelor study programme in the field of Mechatronics was started. The Mechatronics specialization has proved successful since the early years of its operation. Each year, the number of candidates willing to pursue this field of study increased significantly. A favoring factor was also the significant industrial development of the automotive industry around Sibiu area, which constantly require many engineers with multidisciplinary training.

Ten years after the launch of the Mechatronics bachelor program, the problem of setting up a master program in the same field has arisen. The main purpose of the master's program is to offer graduates of the bachelor program the opportunity to deepen their studies, to further specialize in the chosen field, Mechatronics. Another important reason was the employer's request for a more advanced training of mechatronics graduates.

The first step in setting up a master program is to design a proper curriculum. To achieve this, two objectives must be met: compliance with legal regulations in force and consultation of employers' opinion on the training of graduates.

The main industrial companies around Sibiu were invited to several symposia where they were questioned about the content of the proposed curriculum. Following this consultation some important conclusions have been drawn. The main requirement of the employers was the orientation of the master program more to the automobile mechatronics, and less to the general aspects of the mechatronics. An emphasis has also been put on embedded control systems used in the automotive industry, especially for hardware solutions used by companies.

To support the establishment of the master program, industrial companies have pledged to contribute both financially and with equipment to the establishment of new laboratories and to the development of existing ones.

The paper presents how employers have been consulted and how their opinions have been considered when designing the curricula of the master programme in the field of Mechatronics. Also, the process of fulfilling the two above mentioned objectives (compliance with the regulations and consultation of the employers ‘opinion).

Keywords:

Curriculum design, mechatronics, master programme, automotive industry, employers’ opinion.