The Christmas holidays are long over, and a new semester is just around the corner. For many, this means a returning to or starting student life on campus, but students admitted to the digital BEng programme in Mechanical Engineering will primarily attend lectures online. Except for the first week.
On 29 January, as the spring semester begins at DTU, the new students will arrive on campus to be introduced to the subjects, professors, and facilities.
"In addition to the study start, the students will be on campus three times per semester to do the workshop exercises that they can't do online. The practical exercises that are part of the programme are moved together, so that when they're on campus, they're here for three days from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.," says Jonas Kjær Jensen, Head of Studies at DTU's digital BEng programme in Mechanical Engineering.
Study groups, in which the students will do group work, are also formed during the first week.
Full enrolment
DTU's digital BEng programme in Mechanical Engineering received a total of 60 applications for the spring semester 2024. 40 of the 60 applicants had the programme as their number one priority. 25 of the applicants met the programme requirements, and all suitable candidates were offered a place.
Last year, DTU offered 21 students a place, 17 of whom showed up for their first class. Today, 10 students remain in the programme.
"Things are going well with the first Mechanical Engineering students. They know each other very well. We've focused on creating a good framework for socializing and mixing the study groups so that everyone got to know everyone," says Jonas Kjær Jensen.
The digital format works
As for DTU's other digital programme, the BSc programme in Technology, Head of Studies Peter Stanley Jørgensen reports of a success in creating a pleasant digital environment for the eight students who are currently active on the programme and who are now starting their second semester.
"We've received very positive feedback and evaluations of the courses from the students. And when comparing the results with those from the onsite courses, the digital Technology programme performs better in some respects. And that's positive," says the Head of Studies.
Peter Stanley Jørgensen is looking forward to scaling up the digital format, e.g. by boosting the recruitment of students from Jutland this summer.
