Program

Two-year program

First year

During the first year you will get a variety of courses on systems design, automotive technologies, embedded systems, as well as on professional skills. Professional skill courses include among others, working in a team, project management, working agile, scrum, and presentation skills. In addition, you will work on three different projects with a team. Various teachers of the courses are also coaches during the projects.

Apart from the program defined courses, and projects, you can choose a number of courses that are offered by the 4TU Graduate School, Eindhoven Engine, or online. In addition, you can do mini projects internally in cooperation with industry.

Note that company-EngD trainees are allowed to spread the educational year over two years, if the traineeship is combined with work at the company.

Second year

The second year is the graduation phase. During this year you will be working on a challenging and innovative technological design project – a real problem that needs to be solved. This project will integrate a number of (sub-)disciplines and is supervised by engineers from industry as well as by university staff. This way you are supported by scientific knowledge, practical design experience, and project management expertise.

Note that for company-EngD trainees the graduation phase can be the third year.

Structure

The program is organized in 5 modules that will take place in a two-years period normally starting around November 1.

Module I

During the first module you will get a personal assessment, which is meant to help you to define your learning goals on your professional skills. The first module you will get basic courses in system design, project management, and get the chance to update your technical knowledge and skills. Also, you will work on a personal Training & Supervision Plan, which provides you a guide to actually work on improving your design skills, technical knowledge, and professional skills.

Module II

In the past decades we have seen huge developments on Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), such as automated parking, lane change assist, adaptive cruise control, etc. Sensing the environment around the vehicle is one of the most important aspects of ADAS Systems, as well as of future autonomous driving. During this module you will get courses on Automotive Sensing and work with a team on a challenging design assignment for our Automotive Technology Lab. In addition, you will learn how to work agile with a team and scrum.

Module III

During the third module you will learn how to model a system architecture, about software architecture, and you will work with EngD trainees from other programs (Software Technology, Data Science, and Mechatronic System Design) on a challenging design assignment for industry.

Module IV

The fourth block is focused on the design of Automotive Systems. Your knowledge in the field of automotive will be broadened by courses in systems & control and electrification of vehicles. During this block you will work on a design assignment for automotive industry with a team of ASD and/or MSD trainees.

Module V

The final module consists of an individual technological design assignment for one industrial company or for a consortium with industrial partners (e.g. EU projects) for a period of twelve months. This project can take place at the location of a company, at the TU/e, or at both locations. In some of the industry projects, the TU/e labs provide the best facilities for the projects.

During this period you will be supervised by both a company and a university supervisor. During such a project the trainee has to deploy a self-managed process from wishes and needs (can be ill-defined) to concrete results. These projects are usually related to a feasibility study, a proof-of-concept, or first-of-a-kind development. The progress will be evaluated regularly and the trainee has to write a final report. At the end of this module, the trainee will participate in an official exam hearing. In this exam the product of the design project, the underlying process, as well as the professional skills will be evaluated. Upon successful completion the trainee will be rewarded the EngD degree.