Applied Mechanics

Exchange programme
Autumn
Zwolle
5 Months

Nomination deadline 15 May

Are you ready to take the next step?

Introduction

Will you design the machines of the future?

Car engines, agricultural machines and ship winches. These are all products that have passed through the hands of a mechanical designer. Will you be the future developer of a smarter cooling system for trains or light weight gearbox for wind turbines? Or will you improve machines and their maintenance? The exchange program Applied Mechanics deepens your knowledge of mechanical-engineering constructions, design tools and methods, and helps you excel in designing and improving machinery and machine parts.

How do international students experience studying at Windesheim?

Course modules

What’s Applied Mechanics like?

Deepen your knowledge of mechanical design during this bachelor's level full-time programme (30 ECTS credits) and immediately put theory into practice during several real, company-driven projects. On top of this, you and your team will be working on an engineering assignment for two days a week to solve a problem for a real company.

- Project Applied Mechanics (5 ECTS credits)
  
  You and your team will be working on an engineering assignment for two days a week to solve a problem for a real company.
- Projectresults + Professional communication Applied Mechanics (5 ECTS credits)
  
  English speaking skills are practiced through practical situations. During the Dutch communication part you work on your personal branding and within this EVE the products resulting from the Applied Mechanics Project are also assessed.
- Modelling and validation (5 ECTS credits)
  
  In this module you will make a full stress and deformation analysis of a complicated (“real world”) design problem, by an iterative combination of theoretical calculations, FEM/analysis and practical testing. You will use design software such as SolidWorks Add-lns.
- Design tools (2+1) (5 ECTS credits)
  Learn about a range of design tools in this practical training. After an introduction, you get to choose which of the design tools you would like to specialize in. You will have to follow one required tool and should choose two additional tools.
  
  Required tool:
  
  Mechanics of materials: In the theory part, strength theory is discussed in more detail and in the FEM part, computer simulations are carried out.
  
  Two additional tools (they are examples, the actual overview is provided in the course description every year):
  
  Solid Works Motion: Motion is an extensive Multibody package which , among others, is used during the development or design of cars and rollercoasters.
  
  Non-Linear FEM: during these practical lectures you not only learn to deal with distortions and non-linear material behaviour but with the limitations of conventional calculations as well.
  
  Hand sketching: With this design tool you will learn to concretize, clarify and communicate design ideas in a fast and accessible way through simple but effective sketches
  
  Topology optimization: In this practical course you will learn to optimize product designs using topology optimization.
- Drive technology (5 ECTS credits)
  
  During the module Drive technology, you will learn more about machine construction, such as electric motors and machine parts. The lectures about electrical drive systems focus on interaction motor and load, DC-motors, stepper motors, AC-power, 3-phase systems and induction motors. Your study of machine parts covers interference fit, couplings and bolt connections. The lectures are supported by a practical training in labs.
- Dynamics and vibration (5 ECTS credits)
  
  This part consists of two series of lectures during which kinematics, dynamics and vibration analyses in practical situations of machine drives will be dealt with. This includes among others Relative motion analysis, impact mechanics, vibration analysis, mass-, spring- and damping elements.
- Elective modules
  Complete your exchange semester or year by taking one or two cross-departmental modules. You will receive ECTS credits when you complete a module successfully.
  
  Behavioural Change in Organizations
  
  Cambridge English B2 or C1
  
  Drama and Improvisation
  
  Dutch Language
  
  Dutch Society
  
  Economic Mindsets
  
  Innovation Research Competences for Urban Development
  
  Intercultural Awareness
  
  Personal Leadership (7 Habits)
  
  Youth and Media Literacy
- Course catalogue
  
  Want to know more about the exchange programme of Applied Mechanics? Check the course catalogue for more information about matters such as assessment and teaching methods.
  
  Read the course catalogue

Requirements and application

Requirements and application

You are required to have two years of Bachelor’s study experience in a relevant field (e.g. Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering) and English-language skills at B2 level. In order to be able to complete some modules, you will also need mathematics and physics at high school level.

Check the application procedure

Practical information Learning agreement

Practical information

Academic Calendar Finance
Housing Visa Facilities
Credits and Grading Partnerships

Learning Agreement

The Learning Agreement is a crucial document for the recognition of a study period abroad. It is an agreement between you, your university and Windesheim. When you decide to do an exchange programme at Windesheim, you have to create a Learning Agreement that includes the respective courses of the exchange programme. Learn more on how to set up the Learning Agreement for your specific exchange programme at Windesheim.

Find your Learning Agreement