The program is of five years duration based on 140 credits degree plan. The first one year duration of the program is centered on the intensive study of English. This intensive English study is beside the total of 140 credits. Also, the provision is made for waiving of this intensive English for students who pass a challenge English examination.

Students are prepared for engineering practice through a comprehensive and carefully designed curriculum distributed into areas of study as shown below.

The professional component in the MCE program includes:

1. More than one year (total 33 Credits of Semester System) of a combination of college level mathematics and basic sciences (some with experimental experience) appropriate to the engineering discipline.
2. shows the percentage of the experimental components in courses in addition to course sizes and offering frequency.
3. About two and a half years of engineering topics, (total 81 Credits of Semester System) consisting of engineering sciences and engineering design related to Mechatronics discipline.
4. A general education component (total 18 Credits of Semester System) that complements the technical content of the curriculum and is consistent with the program and institution objectives.
5. Others (total 8 Credits of Semester System) that is consistent with the program and institution objectives.

The following pie-chart shows the percentage of each component.

General Education Courses

Sultan Qaboos University requires that all engineering students complete eighteen credit hours in the general education (humanities and social sciences) areas. The possibility of restricting the choice of the 6 credits university electives to a specific list of humanities and social sciences courses only is under discussion at the university level. These courses play an important role in developing the students’ abilities to understand the broader social and political context of Omani society. This is consistent with the mission of the university and the objectives and outcomes of our program. Note that Pre-calculus (MATH 1106) is counted as part of the ABET “Others” courses category and NOT as part of the ABET “Math and Basic Science” courses requirements.

Design Experience

Design is an important aspect of any engineering program. This aspect is addressed in the program through homework, exams, and mini-projects in the courses and in the final year project. Although a course such that Mechatronics system design should reflect the integration between mechanical and electronic design, the current course description does not emphasize such important aspect. As an action we have modified the course description. Capstone design course is the final year project (I/II) in which engineering standards and realistic constraints of engineering design such as economic, environmental, social, ethical, health and safety aspects are considered. Given below is the list of courses taken by the students during last academic year and contain design aspects.

Courses containing Design Components

The courses containing design components in their outcomes are:

• MCTE3110 Electronics
• ECCE3206 Digital Logic Design
• MEIE4101 Computer Aided Machine Design
• ECCE4227 Embedded Systems
• MCTE4210 Power Electronics & Drives
• MCTE4250 Linear Control Systems
• MCTE4255 Mechatronics System Design
• ENGR3006 Industrial training I
• ENGR4006 Industrial training II

Capstone Design Courses

The major engineering design senior project course is divided into two parts: Part I is assigned the code MCTE5191 and is equivalent to 2 credits. Part II is assigned the code MCTE5291 and is equivalent to 3 credits. Senior projects (also called final year projects) are very important and mandatory courses of the degree plan of the Mechatronics Engineering Program which prepares the students for engineering practice. Therefore, a special care and attention is given to the projects.

Catalog descriptions

MCTE5191 PROJECT I

Part I of the final engineering design project which extends over two semesters. This course is aimed to give an opportunity to the students to work professionally on Mechatronics systems including the design and realization of such systems. The students will apply the knowledge of engineering science to design product by working on a team project. They will work in team, prepare written and oral presentations, and determine the economical, environmental, and ethical aspects of the design.

MCTE5291 PROJECT II

Part II of the final year project which extends over two semesters.

Additional Opportunities to Enhance Professional Development

In addition to formal course work, there are many activities available to our students that would prepare them for professional practice. They include the opportunity for some students to participate in the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) Program. In this program, students would work outside Oman with international companies and agencies. They gain technical, social and cultural experiences. Our students can also participate in the Mechatronics Engineering Society (MCES), the College of Engineering Society (ES), and the Oman Engineers Society (OES). The latter has a membership that comes from various private companies operating in Oman as well as from engineers working for the public sector. Our students are also active in university activities that include Engineers Students’ Gathering and Job Fair.

Flowchart