MSE Master of Science in Engineering

The Swiss engineering master's degree

Each module contains 3 ECTS. You choose a total of 10 modules/30 ECTS in the following module categories: 

  • 12-15 ECTS in technical scientific modules (TSM)
    TSM modules teach profile-specific specialist skills and supplement the decentralised specialisation modules.
  • 9-12 ECTS in fundamental theoretical principles modules (FTP)
    FTP modules deal with theoretical fundamentals such as higher mathematics, physics, information theory, chemistry, etc. They will teach more detailed, abstract scientific knowledge and help you to bridge the gap between abstraction and application that is so important for innovation.
  • 6-9 ECTS in context modules (CM)
    CM modules will impart additional skills in areas such as technology management, business administration, communication, project management, patent law, contract law, etc.

In the module description (download pdf) you find the entire language information per module divided into the following categories:

  • instruction
  • documentation
  • examination 
Product Innovation and Product Lifecycle Management (TSM_Product)

Students become acquainted with the product innovation process and its strategic importance for enterprises. The will learn different processes, methods and tools to develop new products and further optimize them along its full lifecycle. A special focus is on the development of complex systems, an interdisciplinary environment. Current approaches and new tools are discussed in addition to established processes such as Systems-Engineering or VDI2206. To further explain the impact of product development outcome on an enterprise level, course will focus on the information flow across an industrial enterprise. Both, the process level (engineering, sales, manufacturing, purchasing, service) as well as the data level (CAX, PLM, ERP, IoT)

The module will be accompanied by a product development project, where students apply the theory "hands-on" on a realistic example throughout the semester

Prerequisites

To attend this module, students must have a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (mechanical, electrical, industrial, ...) 

Students should have the following experience:

  • know the purpose and content of project specifications and requirements with respect to user needs,
  • know the evaluation methods (value benefit analysis, SWOT analysis, etc.)
  • know the basic steps of a product development process (in the consumption and/or investment goods sectors)
  • have experience in the application of CAD system (mechanical or electrical)
  • have worked in a team on at least one small development project

Learning Objectives

Students

  • know the importance of innovation for enterprises,
  • understand the integration of technological product innovation and product development in business processes within enterprises,
  • possess an in-depth knowledge of the product innovation process (processes, methods, and tools),
  • can correctly apply methods and tools in the innovation process according to the situation,
  • know the importance of PLM in enterprises,
  • possess an in-depth knowledge of the product conception process,
  • possess an in-depth knowledge concerning product structure and product variants (serial and plant production) and can apply these in concrete examples,
  • know the relationship between the most important data generation systems and management systems of technological product data,
  • know the impact of design decisions and design data for all subsequent processes in an enterprise

Contents of Module

The module comprises the two main subject areas: “Development methods and product innovation” and “Product lifecycle management”.

  • Product innovation process
  • Classical methods such as VDI 2221, 2222, 2206
  • Systems Engineering (cross disciplinary approaches)
  • Creativity methods
  • Alternative product development processes
  • Tools for product development and lifeycle management (CAx, PLM, ERP, IoT)
  • Product lifecycle management
  • Product structure management: Variant management, product configuration, material master data, product description data
  • Release processes and change management

Teaching and Learning Methods

  • Theoretical instructions in classroom
  • Theoretical instructions based on guided self-teaching
  • Project-oriented work in the form of group work in present and as self-study hours (students will be assisted through)
  • Presentation and discussion in peer and expert groups

Literature

Development methods and product innovation

  • German: Pahl, G.; Beitz, W.; Feldhusen, J.; Grote, K.-H.: „Pahl/Beitz. Konstruktionslehre. Grundlagen erfolgreicher Produktentwicklung. Methoden und Anwendung“. Berlin: Springer-Verlag. 2007. – ISBN-10 3-540-34060-2, ISBN-13 978-3-540-34060-7
  • French: Tassinari Robert, Pratique de l’analyse fonctionnelle, L’Usine Nouvelle, France, 2003, ISBN : 2-10-005338-8
  • English: Pahl, G., Beitz, W., Feldhusen, J., Grote, K.-H.: Engineering Design, A Systematic Approach, 3rd ed., 2007, XXI, 617 p., Hardcover, ISBN 978-1-84628-318-5
  • English: Ulrich, T. U., Eppinger, S.D., Product Design and Development, 3rd ed., 366p, Hardcover, ISBN 007-123273-7

Product Lifecycle Management

  • German: Eigner Martin / Stelzer Ralph: Produktdatenmanagement-Systeme, Springer, ISBN-10: 3-540-66870-5
  • French: Debaecker Denis: PLM : La gestion collaborative du cycle de vie des produits, Hermes, France, 2004, ISBN : 2-7462-0884-9
  • English: Stark John, Product Lifecycle Management : 21st century paradigm for product realisation, Springer, London, 2005
  • English: Saaksvuori Antti / Immonen Anselmie, Product Lifecycle Management, Springer, ISBN-10: 3-540-25731-4

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