Department of Mechanical Engineering and Technologies provides courses to students majoring in Mechanical Engineering and Technologies. The duration of a full-time Bachelor's degree programme is four years. The full-time study towards a Master's degree is three more semesters. The Department offers specialized modules on Technology of Mechanical Engineering and Metals - full-time training and Technology of Mechanical Engineering - a distance learning course as part of the Master's degree programme. The faculty members are qualified to deliver the following specialized modules: Mechanical Engineering Technologies, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science and Metals Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technologies in the Military Industry, Metals Technology in the Military Industry.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering and Technologies dates back to the establishment of the Faculty of Military Engineering in 1985, and the Technical University of Sofia, Plovdiv Branch in 1986. First, it was named United Department of Mechanical Engineering, then a Research and Training Centre for Mechanical Engineering Technologies. The Centre was transformed into Department of Mechanical Engineering Technologies and Production Engineering, and since 2005 it has been renamed to its present name.
Training Centres for Mechanical Engineering Technologies, Mechanical Instrument Engineering and Caterpillar and Wheeled Machines have been detached from the United Department of Mechanical Engineering.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering and Technologies works on research projects in three main directions:
- Mechanical Engineering Technology and Automation;
- Cutting Instruments and Machine Tools;
- Materials Science and Technology of Engineering Materials.
Mechanical Engineering and Technologies Degree Programme
The degree programme gives an opportunity for the students to pursue a wide range of career options in industrial production. The need for university graduates in the speciality of Mechanical Engineering and Technologies has increased considerably with the introduction of complex production equipment and advanced computer-aided technologies in the modern production, that require high professional qualification upon its preparation and implementation. The role of engineers have been substantially enhanced in research and implementation of the cutting-edge technologies, where the emphasis is placed on the intellectual resources, thus determining the relevance of this degree programme.
The BSc and MSc degree programmes require development, presentation and defense of a thesis in all types of tuition. Graduates of the MSc degree programme may also continue their studies at PhD level.
BSc degree students in Mechanical Engineering and Technologies are well- grounded specialists with a broad profile, able to work in almost all branches of Mechanical Engineering. They receive a well balanced, fundamental, general and specialized engineering background. Fundamental knowledge in mathematics, physics, chemistry, mechanics, computer science and foreign language training are at the core of the programme, followed by common modules in the professional field such as: applied geometry and engineering graphics, materials science and technology of materials, strength of materials, theory of mechanisms and machines, metrology and measurement equipment, machine elements, handling machinery and transport equipment, mechanics of fluids, heat engineering, hydraulic and pneumatic propulsion systems, electrical engineering and electronics, control production equipment, economics, industrial management, environmental engineering, technical safety. Students are equipped with general engineering background and knowledge on: metal cutting, heat treatment of metals, casting production technology, processing of metals through plastic deformation, cutting instruments, machine tools, mechanical engineering technologies, processing equipment, automation of machine-building production. Students gain specialized engineering background by studying a group of nine elective module courses in two relatively distinct parts of the degree programme: mechanical engineering technologies and machine tools, metals technology and metal processing equipment. Traineeships, internships and practical placements related to a final year thesis are envisaged to link theory with practice, as being distributed evenly during the course of study.
A Mechanical Engineer having graduated this BSc degree programme can work in all sectors of industry requiring higher education and professional qualification in Mechanical Engineering and Technologies. They may deploy and implement technological processes for the production of machine-building products, design technological equipment, make a troubleshooting diagnosis and maintain production equipment, manage and control the technological processes, design and implement technological processes using CNC machines, carry out the organisation and management of business operations of the production units and small companies, including the application of advanced computer technologies.
The Master's degree programme in Mechanical Engineering and Technologies provides thorough fundamental grounding combined with specialized modules in the field of Mechanical Engineering. Students accumulate knowledge on: mathematical and computer methods applied in engineering, design of machinery, processes and systems, marketing and management. By opting for a group of five elective modules, students gain profound professional background in: high-performance manufacturing technologies, design and operation of high-tech production equipment, metal casting technologies, plastic deformation, welding, heat treatment, chemical processing.
Graduates of the MSc degree programme can develop high-performance technologies and design manufacturing equipment; elaborate, integrate and apply modern techniques for computer-aided design, modelling and simulation, draw up a technical and technology policy of the companies and work as managers in machine building enterprises, they can also pursue a career as researchers.