
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Programme Introduction
The study cycle is particularly aimed at meeting the growing demands and expectations of modern industries, towards an increase in competitiveness and productivity, by developing knowledge in the areas of product design and development, computer-aided technologies, project of moulds and plastic parts, mechanical project, materials, manufacturing processes, electromechanical technologies, as well as basic management skills. Graduate students are intended to have solid base-knowledge, coupled with a significant set of practical skills, in order to integrate industries as a significant added value. The formation range is broad, allowing the graduate student to work on several industrial sectors, such as manufacturing industries, and also non industrial – research centres, technological centres, among others.
This Programme received the EUR-ACE® quality label, recognized by ENAEE (European Network for Accreditation of Engineering Education). The distinction confirms education quality in these particular field of study placing these programs among the best European universities and polytechnics.
Programme Coordinator
Luís Manuel de Jesus Coelho
coord.em.estg@ipleiria.pt
Reference
School
City
Language
Type
Length
Vacancies
General contingent D: 41 / N: 15
International student contingent D: 4
DGES certification

Objectives
This programme provides students with a broad understanding of Mechanical Engineering technology allowing students with knowledge of materials, processes, technologies, components, automation, computer simulation, moulds, electromechanics, design and development of new products, mechanical design, thermal and management systems, and that are able to intervene in terms of manufacturing, assembly, inspection, maintenance, operation, guaranteeing their quality and also being able to manage these processes, as well as marketing and technical sales in customer assistance. The programme is taught with a practical, hands-on approach, giving students the skills needed for today’s employment market.
Careers Options
Graduates of the Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering may be employed as technicians within, for example, the moulds and plastics sectors, medical devices, pharmaceutical, automotive sectors, ceramics and glass, precision engineering sectors or configuring, and maintaining production lines. Also, within the direction or supervision of the design and development of new products and new computer-aided technologies, quality, maintenance, commercial area, as well as project management.

Study Plan
- 1st Year
- 2nd Year
- 3rd Year
ID | Name | Semester | ECTS | Length |
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9123201 | Mathematical Analysis | 1st Semester | 6 | 75 h |
1 Differential calculus in IR: Derivative and derivation rules; Derivatives of inverse trigonometric functions; Cauchy’s rule; Higher order derivatives and Taylor polynomial; Parametric curves and derivatives 2 Integral calculus in IR: Antiderivative and techniques for calculation; Definite integral; Fundamental theorem of integral calculus; Applications (Areas, volumes, and arc length of curves) 3. Functions of several real variables: Definition, domain, and graphic representation; Limits and continuity; Partial derivatives and differentiability; Chain rule; Unconstrained extrema 4. Double integrals: Definition; Fubini theorem; Changing the order of integration; Double integrals in polar coordinates; Applications: computation of areas and volumes | ||||
9123202 | Linear Algebra | 1st Semester | 5 | 60 h |
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9123203 | Physics | 1st Semester | 6 | 75 h |
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9123204 | Computer Programming | 1st Semester | 6 | 60 h |
1. Introduction to computation and programming. 2. Basic stages to develop programs – Algorithms. 3. Introduction the language Python. 4. Python objects. Data, Types, Operations, Expressions, I/O instructions, … 5. Control statements (if; for; while). 6. Modules (definition and importing). 7. Data structures. 8. Input/Output communication. 9. Graphical environments. | ||||
9123205 | English | 1st Semester | 2 | 30 h |
1. English as a lingua franca. Attitudes towards English. Expressions to convey linguistic and learning necessities. Brief notions of the characteristics that have led English to become a global language. 2. Informal Conversation: Taking part in conversations about people, places and other topics; description of personal and professional profiles; identification of cultural differences. 3. Contacts: Starting and keeping conversations about topics related to the professional context via telephone, email. Describing people and exchanging information. 4. Meetings: Expressions to set up and organize meetings, make decisions, solve problems, present suggestions, and lead meetings. Official register of information. Checking and clarifying facts and figures. 5. Negotiating relationships: Expression of formality and informality. Expression of likes and dislikes about travelling on business. Discussing attitudes about meetings and cultural behaviours in different countries. | ||||
9123206 | Chemistry and Materials | 1st Semester | 5 | 60 h |
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9123207 | Applied Mathematics | 2nd Semester | 6 | 75 h |
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9123208 | Statistics | 2nd Semester | 3 | 45 h |
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9123209 | Technical Drawing | 2nd Semester | 5 | 60 h |
1. General aspects of technical drawing 1.1 normalized writing, types of lines and sheet design. 1.2 Subtitles and scales 2. Orthogonal projections 2.1 Types of projections, views and select the required front view. 2.2 Views displaced, local, discontinued, detail and auxiliary. 3. Sectional 3.1 Standards 3.2 Types of sections 4. Perspectives 4.1 Standards and types of perspective 4.2 Construction of objects in perspective 4.3 Cuts and dimensioning in perspective 5. Dimensioning 5.1 Elements and general aspects 5.2 Types and rules of dimensioning. 6. Dimensional tolerances and surface states 6.1 Standards and definitions 6.2 Tolerance fits. 6.3 Dimensional control. 6.4 Definitions and symbols in the representation of surface states. 6.5 Roughness 7. Introduction to assembly drawing 8. Introduction to computer-aided design | ||||
9123210 | Materials Technology | 2nd Semester | 6 | 60 h |
1.Properties modification treatments 2.Ferrous metallic materials 3.Nonferrous metallic materials 4.Ceramic materials (complement) 5.Ceramic materials processing 6.Powder metallurgy 7.Mechanical testing: creep test; impact test 8.X-ray difraction 9. Coatings | ||||
9123211 | Mechanical Technology I | 2nd Semester | 5 | 60 h |
1.Introduction to the manufacturing processes 1.1 Processes of properties change 1.2 Processes of shape change 2. Technological processes of metal cutting 2.1 Shearing 2.2 Manufacturing 3.Theory of plasticity applied to manufacturing processes 3.1 Introduction to theory of plasticity 3.2 Criteria of plasticity 4. Technological processes of bulk and sheet metal forming 4.1 Forging 4.2 Extrusion 4.3 Rolling 4.4 Bending 4.5 Deep Drawing 5. Welding Processes 5.1 Introduction to welding processes 5.2 Arc welding processes (SMAW, GMAW, TIG, GTAW, PAW) 6. Technological processes of casting. | ||||
9123212 | Applied Mechanics | 2nd Semester | 5 | 75 h |
1. Mechanical vibrations of a particle and of the rigid body 1.1. Free vibrations, linear and angular (undumped and dumped) 1.2. Forced vibrations 1.3. Computational modelling and simulation of vibrating systems 2. Kinematics of rigid bodies 2.1. Translation 2.2. Rotation about fixed axis 2.3. General Plane Motion 3. Dynamics of rigid bodies 3.1. Translation 3.2. Rotation about fixed axis 3.3. General Plane Motion 3.4. Particular movements (rolling without slipping, bars with pins). 4. Mechanisms 4.1. Degrees of freedom 4.2. Classification of mechanisms 4.3. Study of simple mechanisms 4.3.1. Kinematic and kinetic diagrams of the different elements of the mechanisms 4.3.2. Differential equations and consistent initial conditions for the problem of the mechanisms motion 4.3.3. Computational modelling and simulation of mechanisms motion |
ID | Name | Semester | ECTS | Length |
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9123213 | Mechanics of Materials | 1st Semester | 5 | 75 h |
1 – Concept of stress, Application to the analysis of simple structures, Stress on an oblique plane under axial loading, Stress under general loading conditions; components of stress 2 – Axial loading, Deformations, Statically indeterminate problems, Problems involving temperature changes, Multiaxial loading; generalized Hooke’s law. 3 – Torsion, Deformations in a circular shaft, Stresses and angle of twist in the elastic range, Torsion of noncircular members. 4 – Bending, Pure bending and transverse bending, Equation of the elastic curve, Unsymmetric bending, General case of eccentric axial loading. 5 – Mohr´s circle for plane stress. 6 – Yield criteria for ductile and brittle materials. 7 – Stresses under combined loadings (bending and torsion). | ||||
9123214 | Mechanical Technology II | 1st Semester | 5 | 60 h |
1 – Technological processes of metal cutting by chipping, Mechanism of chip formation, Parameters of the Cutting Process, Modeling of the Cutting Process, Tools (Types, Damage and Wear), Economic aspects of metal cutting by chipping 2 – Technologies of computer numerical control, Introduction to Computerized Numerical Control, CNC Programming – ISO language 3 – High-speed machining, Fundamentals of High-Speed Machining, Machinery and Tools for High-Speed Machining, Control and Programming for CNC High-Speed Machining 4 – Electric discharge machining technology, Principles of operation of the Electric discharge machining process, Operating Parameters, Electrodes for electric discharge machining, Dielectric fluids and washing methods | ||||
9123215 | Thermodynamics | 1st Semester | 5 | 60 h |
1. Fundamental Concepts. 2. Properties of pure substances. 3. First Law of Thermodynamics. 4. Second Law of Thermodynamics. 5. Forms of heat transfer. 6. Entropy. | ||||
9123216 | Fluid Mechanics | 1st Semester | 5 | 60 h |
1. Introduction to fluid mechanics, The Concept of a Fluid, The Fluid as a Continuum, Dimensions and Units, Nonnewtonian Fluids Characterization, Viscosity and Other Secondary Properties 2. Pressure Distribution in a Fluid, Pressure and Pressure Gradient, Gage Pressure and Vacuum Pressure: Relative Terms, Hydrostatic Pressure Distributions, Application to Manometry, Hydrostatic Forces on Plane Surfaces, Hydrostatic Forces on Curved Surfaces, Hydrostatic Forces in Layered Fluids 3. Integral Relations for a Control Volume, Frictionless Flow: The Bernoulli Equation 4. Viscous Flow in Ducts, Reynolds-Number Regimes, Flow in a Circular Pipe, The Moody Chart, Flow in Noncircular Ducts, Minor Losses in Pipe Systems, Hydraulic power of pumps and turbines | ||||
9123217 | Plastics Processing | 1st Semester | 5 | 60 h |
1. Introduction to plastics, Classification, Structure, General properties, Mechanical properties, Processing temperature, Plastics selection 2. Thermoplastics transformation processes: Extrusion, Tubular film extrusion, Blow molding, Thermoforming, Injection: Machine, Molding cycle, Variables, Capacity plasticizing and injection, Assembly and adjustment of the mold, Conventional molds and hot runners, Materials and accessories, Mould design, Case studies 3. Thermosetting transformation processes: Compression, Transfer, Vacuum bag, Casting in vacuo, Plastics molding fiber reinforced: molding contact, simultaneous projection molding and filament winding, RIM, Injection 4. Plastic Characterization with or without reinforcement 5. Alternative processes of transformation 6. Plastic Recycling | ||||
9123218 | Computer-Aided Design (CAD) | 1st Semester | 5 | 60 h |
Theorical: 1 – Introduction to Computer Aided Design 2 – Geometric Modelling for CAD/CAM/CAE 3 – Neutral Formats – Exchange of information between systems CAD/CAM/CAE 4 – Product Data Management/ Product Life Management (PDM / PLM) 5 – Introduction to Reverse Engineering and Rapid Prototyping 6 – CAD Modelling and Simultaneous/Concurrent Engineering Practice: 1 – Basic principles of solid-based CAD software’s 2 – Modelling in CAD of parts/components. Dimensioning and Tolerancing. Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GDT) 3 – Assembly of mechanical components. 4 – Obtaining 2D drawings for production. Full dimensioning. | ||||
9123219 | Machine Elements I | 2nd Semester | 6 | 60 h |
1. Introduction; 2. Static project; 3. Fatigue project; 4. Welding and bonding; 5. Screws and other fixation devices; 6. Springs; 7. Applications. | ||||
9123220 | Mechanics of Composite Materials | 2nd Semester | 4 | 60 h |
1 – Introduction to polymer matrix composite materials, Global Perspective of composites, Evolution of composite materials, Main applications of composite materials 2 – Reinforcements, Types of reinforcements, Reinforcements production processes, Forms may be submitted as reinforcements, Characteristics of reinforcements 3 – Polymer matrices, Thermoplastics, Thermosets 4 – Processing of composite materials 5 – Layer and laminate analysis. Analysis of laminates. Determination of the main mechanical properties of the laminates. | ||||
9123221 | Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) | 2nd Semester | 5 | 60 h |
1 – Introduction to the finite element method, introduction, linear equations system Kd=f, Spring element, assembly 2 – Bar element, stiffness matrix, loads vector 3 – Truss element, stiffness matrix, loads vector 4 – Beam element, stiffness matrix, loads vector 5 – Beam-bar element, stiffness matrix, loads vector 6 – Frame structure element, stiffness matrix, loads vector 7 – Natural frequencies and vibration modes, mass matrix, eigenvalue and eigenvector problem | ||||
9123222 | Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) | 2nd Semester | 4 | 60 h |
1 – Introduction to Computer Aided Manufacturing 2 – The process for Numerical Control Machining and CNC Machines 3 – High Speed Machining (HSM) 4 – Multi-Axis Machining 5 – Systems and Flexible Manufacturing Cells (FMS) 6 – Introduction to Industrial Robotics 7 – AGV’s (“Automatic Guided Vehicles”)8 – Automatic Warehouses | ||||
Elective I | 2nd Semester | 6 | 60 h | |
1 – Develop manuals sketches 2 – NP and ISO Standards. Manufacturing processes (basic notions). Drawing and design of manufacturing machines. Elements of standard mechanical construction. 3 – Application of tolerances and surface condition 4 – Introduction to mechanical design. Design sketches for using 3D CAD software
a) Students must choose between: Drawing of Moulds and Plastics; Mechanical Drawing | ||||
9123224 | Electro-technology and Industrial Electronics | 2nd Semester | 5 | 60 h |
1. Introduction. 2. Electric circuits elements. 3. Direct current circuits 4. Steady state, alternating current circuits 5. Brief introduction to electromechanics 6. Industrial electronics 7. Human and equipment safety |
ID | Name | Semester | ECTS | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
9123225 | Machine Elements II | 1st Semester | 4 | 60 h |
1. Introduction; 2. Flexible transmissions with belts; 3. Transmissions flexible with chains; 4. Gear transmissions; 5. Rolling bearings; 6. Fracture mechanics. | ||||
9123226 | Advanced Manufacturing Processes | 1st Semester | 5 | 60 h |
Virtual prototyping vs. Physical prototyping. Rapid prototyping processes. Rapid manufacturing of production tools. Non conventional manufacturing processes. Concurrent engineering. Intelligent production systems. Design/Reverse engineering. Microtechnologies on manufacturing and mass production. | ||||
Elective II | 1st Semester | 7 | 75 h | |
b) Students must choose between: Moulds Design; Mechanical Design | ||||
9123228 | Design and Product Development | 1st Semester | 4 | 60 h |
1 – Planning of the product and the process; 2 – Process of product design and development; 3 – Customer Needs and Product technical specifications; 4 – Intellectual Property; 5 – Creativity and innovation. Tools to support creativity; 6 – Methods to support product development: QFD, SCAMPER, TRIZ, FMEA; 7 – Design, Anthropometry and Ergonomics; 8 – Design for X; 9 – Simulation, optimization and prototyping; 10 – Reverse engineering and product reengineering; 11 – Selection of production processes; 12 – Planning of production, assembly and distribution. Product lifecycle. | ||||
Elective III | 1st Semester | 5 | 60 h | |
1 – Integral formulation and variational methods, Weak formulation of boundary value problems, Variational methods, Rayleigh-Ritz, Galerkin 2 – Plane elasticity, Introduction, Triangular element with 3 nodes, Quadrangular element with 4 nodes 3 – Three-dimensional problems 4 – Contact problems
c) Students must choose between: Computer Simulation – Moulds and Plastics; Computer Simulation – Mechanical Design | ||||
9123230 | Industrial Automation | 1st Semester | 5 | 60 h |
Pneumatics; Basic principles, Production and processing of compressed air, Pneumatic symbols, Actuators and valves, Circuit analysis. Oil-hydraulics; Basic principles, Oil-hydraulics symbols, Pumps, motors, linear actuators and valves, Hydraulic fluids, types and characteristics, Circuit analysis. Process automation. Basic principles, functional levels of an automated system, Process functional specification, Architecture of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), PLC programming methods, Characteristics and operation of PLC. | ||||
9123231 | Quality and Resources Management | 2nd Semester | 4 | 60 h |
1. Introduction to Quality Management: Quality Management principles and new methodologies Six Sigma and Lean; 2. Quality costs; 3. Basic Quality Tools; 4. Accreditation and Certification of systems and products: NP EN ISO 9001:2015. | ||||
9123232 | Production and Maintenance Management | 2nd Semester | 4 | 60 h |
1. General Concepts of Production Management and Process Design, Types of Processes, Lean Manufacturing 2. Capacity Management, Flow and Materials, Constraints Analysis, Flow analysis tools, Stock management 3. Sequencing Operations, Deterministic problems, Decentralized management 4. Project Management and Evaluation, PERT and CPM methods 5. General Concepts Maintenance Management 6. Organization of the Maintenance Service 7. Reliability, Maintainability and Availability 8. Maintenance Costs 9. Condition Control Techniques | ||||
Elective IV | 2nd Semester | 12 | 90 h | |
1 Integration of knowledge in various areas of the Mechanical Engineering course to develop an engineering project that meets the real needs of industry. 2 Industrial project addresses issues related to: design of new products, optimization of existing solutions, design and implementation of new solutions, development of research work 3 The industrial project may include activities performed in an industrial environment.
It is intended that students integrate knowledge from different areas of mechanical engineering course to perform functions in industrial context.
d) Students must choose between: Industrial Project; Internship | ||||
9123234 | Seminar | 2nd Semester | 3 | 15 h |
1 – Materials and Manufacturing Processes Advanced. 2 – Modelling, Simulation and Design. 3 – Industrial Management and Information Technologies. 4 – Energy, Environment and Automotive. | ||||
Elective V | 2nd Semester | 5 | 60 h | |
Ceramics, Introduction, Ceramic Materials Processing, Mechanical properties of ceramic materials, Ceramic traditional and technical ceramics, Coatings and ceramic floors, Glasses, Cement and concrete, Technical ceramics, Moulds for ceramics, Technologies manufacture unconventional, Recycling of ceramic materials
e) Students must choose between: Fluid Networks; Moulds and Processing of Ceramic Materials; Management Control | ||||
9123236 | Innovation and Entrepreneurship | 2nd Semester | 2 | 30 h |
1. Introduction: entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs 2. Opportunities, ideas and innovation. The idea – product/service 3. Concepts of business strategy 4. How to build and manage a team 5. The marketing 6. The new company 7. The funding of new company 8. The financial aspects of the new company 9. The investment 10.The Business plan |
Entry Requirements
For further information about international students’ applications,
please see International Applicants
or contact the International Students’ Office by email at: estudante.internacional@ipleiria.pt
For further information about international students’ applications,
please see International Applicants
or contact the International Students’ Office by email at: estudante.internacional@ipleiria.pt
Accreditation
State: Accredited
Number of years of accreditation: 6
Publication date: 04/12/2020
A3ES Accreditation
International Accreditation: EUR-ACE® Quality Labe
State: Accredited
Number of years of accreditation: 6
Publication date: 04/12/2020
A3ES Accreditation
International Accreditation: EUR-ACE® Quality Labe
More Information

Application Fee
60€
60€
Enrolment Fee
General contingent 30€
International student contingent 100€
General contingent 30€
International student contingent 100€
Tuition Fee
General contingent 697 €
International student contingent 3000€
General contingent 697 €
International student contingent 3000€