The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Production Sciences (FIMCP) is pleased to present the Mechatronics Engineering program, aiming to train professionals capable of developing and providing society with goods and tools. These skills will enable efficient utilization of natural and energy resources, thereby meeting material and social needs. The goal is to contribute to Ecuador's benefit by applying advanced knowledge in science and engineering, thus promoting sustainable technological development.
Core Components of the Program
The Mechatronics program prepares students in the design of integrated solutions around five fundamental professional axes:
- Mechanics
- Electronics
- Robotics and control
- Computing
- Mechatronic design
Mission
The primary mission of the Mechatronics Engineering program is to nurture highly competent professionals specialized in the field of mechatronics. We are committed to providing a quality education that effectively integrates fundamental knowledge of mechanics, electronics, programming, and control. Our goal is to inspire academic excellence and foster an active spirit of scientific research among our students. The essence of our mission lies in developing practical skills focused on the design and construction of mechatronic systems while promoting innovation and creativity in the conception of technological solutions. Additionally, we strive to instill in our students ethical values, social responsibility, and a strong environmental awareness. Through comprehensive training, we aspire for our graduates to emerge as leaders in the industry, making significant contributions to technological progress and the general welfare of society.
International Accreditation
ESPOL's Mechatronics undergraduate program is certified with the EUR-ACE label, awarded by the European Network for Accreditation of Engineering Education (ENAEE), since november of 2023.
* Undergraduate tuition/fees:
The Constitution of the Republic of Ecuador in its Article 356, among other principles, establishes that third-level public higher education will be tuition/fees free. Zero cost education is linked to the academic responsibility of the students.
Number of admitted students per academic year
Number of graduates per year
Number of enrolled students per academic year
Graphs show the figures in real time, at the time of the query
The candidate for the Mechatronics Engineering program distinguishes themselves through their deep interest and enthusiasm for technology and engineering. They are expected to exhibit strong analytical skills and an outstanding ability to solve complex problems, supported by a stellar performance in mathematics and sciences. Creativity and a willingness to innovate are essential components of their profile. A commitment to continuous learning is crucial, reflecting an open mindset toward the ever-evolving nature of technology and engineering. Ethical conduct and professional responsibility are unwavering principles, with the candidate expected to demonstrate integrity in their approach to engineering. Complementing these traits, an innate curiosity about the functioning of mechatronic systems is presented as a distinctive attribute. The ability to unravel the mysteries behind the complex interactions among mechanics, electronics, programming, and control is essential for tackling the challenges presented by Mechatronics Engineering. Collectively, this set of skills and characteristics distinguishes the ideal candidate, establishing the groundwork for outstanding success in the field of mechatronics.
Educational Objectives
The ESPOL Mechatronics career offers science, technology and general education so that its graduates, from 3 to 5 years after graduation, are capable of:
O1. Design and implement sustainable solutions in the area of Mechatronics Engineering.
O2. Carry out the profession for the benefit of society in a responsible manner, with an ethical conscience and solidarity, contributing to the needs of local, national and regional development.
O3. Lead multidisciplinary teams to promote technology transfer.
Learning outcomes
The Mechatronics career is designed to prepare students to develop integrated and interdisciplinary solutions around five fundamental professional axes:
- Mechanics.
- Electronics.
- Robotics and control.
- Computing.
- Mechatronic design.
The learning outcomes of the Mechatronics career are:
· RA 1. Ability to identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems in mechatronics by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics.
· RA 2. Ability to apply design of engineering systems in mechatronics, to produce solutions that satisfy specific needs, considering public health, safety and well-being, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental and economic factors.
· RA 3a. Ability to communicate effectively in Spanish with diverse audiences (oral and written form).
· AR 3b. Ability to communicate effectively in English with a variety of audiences.
· RA 4. Ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, considering the impact of mechatronic engineering solutions in the global, economic, environmental and social context.
· RA 5. Ability to function effectively in a team, whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, set goals, plan tasks and meet objectives.
· RA 6. Ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use mechatronics engineering criteria to establish conclusions.
· RA 7. Ability to acquire and apply new engineering knowledge in mechatronics as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
· RA 8. Design real mechatronic engineering solutions that propose unique value in response to specific needs considered from the point of view of those involved.
First Year
Description:
It is a core course for Engineering, Natural Sciences, Exact Sciences, and Social Sciences and Humanities, students. Topics, such as, topological notions, limits and continuity of real variable functions, derivatives and their applications, antiderivatives and integration techniques, and the definite integral with its applications, are examined. This course is aimed to the development of student’s skills and know-how in the derivation and integration processes, as a fundamental basis for the following upper level courses in its academic training process
Description:
Physics: Mechanics is a basic, theoretical-practical training course aimed at engineering students, with laboratory experimentation activities, which provides the fundamentals of particle mechanics, rigid bodies and fluid mechanics, in an environment of active learning.
Description:
In this course, students apply the Design Thinking methodology to identify, analyze real-life problems or needs, to design innovative solutions. Students work in multidisciplinary teams to present solution proposals that add value to customers/users from private companies, public organizations and non-profit organizations.
Description:
The course presents students with strategies to solve common problems in various professional fields through the design and implementation of solutions based on the use of a programming language. It covers the basic principles so that the student can read and write programs; emphasizing the design and analysis of algorithms. In addition, it introduces students to the use of development and debugging tools.
Description:
This basic and general education subject presents grammatical structures to produce a simple paragraph based on a writing program. Additionally, it allows the identification of a specific argument in oral and written communication. It also considers learners’ personal opinions about different topics related to social, academic, and professional aspects. It includes the necessary vocabulary to make comparisons between present and past, books or movies description, creation of simple students’ profile, opinions about inventions, formal apologies and tell past events.
Description:
This subject of basic instruction is a theoretical-practical course that contributes to the learning of concepts of electricity and magnetism in an environment of active learning.
Description:
Vector calculus is a course aimed at the basic training of professionals in the areas of Engineering, Exact Sciences and Natural Sciences who developed problem-solving and problem-solving skills in the n-dimensional context. For this purpose, the course consists of 5 general themes: three-dimensional analytic geometry and functions of several variables, differential calculus of scalar and vector fields, optimization of scalar functions of several variables, line integrals and multiple integration, surface integrals and theorems of the vector theory; being the main applications of this course: the optimization of functions of several variables applied to practical problems, the calculation of lengths, area, volumes, work and flow, using objects of the plane and space.
Description:
This course introduces the fundamentals of technical drawing, with emphasis on the production of mechanical parts and assemblies. In addition, it describes the theory of projections and the representation of objects through auxiliary views, cuts, and sections. It also details the drawing rules regarding scales, lines, lettering, dimensioning, and standard formats. During the development of the course, drawings of machine elements, mechanical assemblies, structures, and distribution of areas in industrial plants are made by hand and in computer-aided design programs.
Description:
In this subject, we study the development of the academic prosumer profile of the students, which should be consolidated throughout each individual's life, based on the processing of complex, holistic, and critical thinking. We aim to foster understanding and the production of academic knowledge through rigorous analysis of realities and readings from various academic/scientific sources.
Description:
This is a basic training course for engineering and science students, in which the study of matrices, systems of linear equations, vector spaces, linear transformations, spaces with inner product, eigenvalues and eigenvectors. The main purpose of the course is to contribute to the integral formation of the future professional allowing later, to take care of conceptual, social and technological necessities in the solution of problems and development of the abstract thought.
Description:
This subject of basic formation and general education presents the grammatical structures for the production of an academic paragraph, through the development of the writing program in a transversal way. In addition, it allows the identification of specific arguments in oral and written communication, considering the production of one's own criteria on different topics of a social, academic or professional nature. The necessary vocabulary is also applied to refer to the different forms of communication, share work experiences and the use of digitl technology, tell short stories about interpersoanl relationship and personalities, and comment on the future of the environment.
Second Year
Description:
Digital Systems I is a professional training course that presents basic concepts of design, implementation, and analysis of digital electronic circuits. Initially, binary numbers, codes and their applications are studied; then, basic digital components and others of larger-scale integration, necessary for building digital systems, are presented. Additionally, the fundamentals of combinatorial circuits and synchronous sequential machines are reviewed. The implementation of digital systems is carried out by using discrete elements and hardware description language (VHDL), making tests of functioning in a laboratory.
Description:
This professional formation course introduces the multidisciplinary scheme of mechatronic design, considering mechanical, electronic and computer components in an integrated way. Skills already acquired on problems solution are reinforced, while adding concepts, methodologies and tools related to mechatronics engineering. Throughout the course, relevant problemsare defined by collecting users’ primary information in a community, institution or company. Finally, mechatronic design is applied to propose realistic solutions that must undergo a validation process.
Description:
This basic training course for entry-level engineering based on classical mechanics is the basis for mechanical design. The course describes the behavior of rigid bodies under the action of forces. In the first part of the course, Newton's laws are used to determine the static equilibrium of structures, machines, beams and cables. Concepts of point forces, moments, distributed loads, and friction are applied in solving engineering problems. In the second part of the course the movement of rigid particles and bodies under the action of external forces that produce acceleration is studied. Furthermore, alternative energy and momentum methods are presented for the solution of particular cases.
Description:
This core subject of basic formation in the engineering degrees begins with the study of convergence criteria for numerical series and power series, providing methods for obtaining the latter. Next, analytical solving methods of ordinary differential equations of first and superior order are examined, including solutions in power series. Then, the Laplace transform is defined and used as a solving method of linear ordinary differential equations. As a final part, solving methods for solving linear ordinary differential equation systems are studied. The subject examines application problems of engineering and sciences modelled by ordinary differential equations and series and includes the use of software in a part of each practical session.
Description:
The cross-sectional course of Numerical Methods is aimed at the basic training of professionals in the areas of engineering and science, which require developing skills in planning and solving problems using numerical methods. For this purpose, the subject addresses the following topics: nonlinear equations, systems of linear equations, interpolation, differentiation and integration, and, resolution of ordinary and partial differential equations. The emphasis is on the computational analysis and implementation of numerical algorithms to solve engineering problems with a controlled error.
Description:
This subject of basic instruction and general education presents grammatical topics for the elaboration of an outline and a structured composition, through the development of the writing program in a transversal way. In addition, it allows the identification of arguments in oral and written communication on contemporary and academic topics. Additionally, appropriate vocabulary is applied to discuss issues related to different cultures, places where we live, everyday news, entertainment media, and past and future opportunities.
Description:
This professional training course introduces students to concepts related to the object-oriented programming paradigm and graphical user interfaces programing. Student designs and implements software solutions to real world problems using an object-oriented programming language. Concepts are reinforced with hands-on exercises in weekly lab sessions and challenging programming tasks. It also covers data persistence, error handling and an introduction to multithreading programming.
Description:
This professional training course describe techniques to quantify stresses and deformations created by axial loads, torsion, flexion, and their combinations. Furthermore, it explains how to use the material strength and safety factors for the analysis and dimensioning of both structural elements and machine elements. Finally, it presents the theories to predict the failure behavior of elements of structures and machines under either static or dynamic loads.
Description:
The Superior Mathematics course is aimed at the comprehensive training of engineering students. In the same three fundamental topics are studied, namely: complex variable, Fourier series and Fourier integral. The course prepares the student to solve problems in various areas of engineering, such as: electrical circuits, signal processing and transport phenomena.
Description:
This subject of basic formation and general education, presents the grammar structures to produce a persuasive essay, through the transversal development of the writing programme. In addition, it allows students to identify specific arguments in the oral and written communication, as well as, to express their own opinions about different topics of social, academic, or professional fields. It also includes the necessary vocabulary to stablish a conversation, narrate situations of their environment, activities to reach their goals, analyze cause and effect and personal and professional opportunities.
Third Year
Description:
This subject professional training course for the Mechatronics Engineering program establishes the fundamentals for the manufacturing processes. Its content integrates concepts of materials science and engineering on the basis of the relationship between structure, properties, processing and performance of materials in service, put into practice through laboratory tests and case studies.The theories of elastic and plastic deformation in engineering materials are presented. Different traditional and modern manufacturing processes are analyzed and classified by the type of physical phenomenon applied for their appropriate selection during the design and fabrication of a product. Laboratory practices are carried out, and they illustrate the processing of different materials and their properties.
Description:
Applied Control Systems is a course focused on the basic concepts for the analysis and design of feedback control systems. Covered topics include physics-based modeling of engineering systems, represented both in the frequency and time domains. At the end of the course, students should be able to design controllers and compensators of feedback systems, assessing their optimal performance, stability, and robustness. The experimental portion of this class incorporates the use of computational tools for the analysis and implementation of feedback control systems.
Description:
This is a training basic course training and provides the knowledge to the engineering and science student can convert data into information, associate everyday situations with statistical processes, and determine scientific conclusions through experimental observations, applying descriptive statistics, notions of probability, models of random variables and inferential analysis.
Description:
This course of theoretical and practical professional training presents intermediate telematics systems based on standard network design models. Also, it develops web and mobile applications for remote control and monitoring of telematics systems. In addition, the integration of various network services is presented, such as location and messaging, emphasizing information security aspects.
Description:
This vocational training course presents the fundamentals for the measurement of physical variables such as temperature, level, pressure, flow, position, displacement, and speed, in industrial and mechatronic processes. Instrumentation systems are developed to allow process optimization and quality administration management. Pneumatic systems are described, and the principle of operation of sensors and transducers commonly used in industrial instrumentation are studied, furthermore, an introduction to data acquisition systems and a brief introduction to industrial communications are presented.
Description:
This professional formation course studies the electrical drives used in mechatronic equipment and applications. The performance of the actuators is analyzed according to their electrical and mechanical characteristics, their power supply and regulation, and their applications. Some tools are used for modeling, rating, and selection. Several exercises on applications and measurements are performed in a laboratory.
Description:
This engineering professional training course based on classic mechanics describes methods for the analysis of the kinematic and dynamic behavior, which represents the foundations for industrial machinery design. The first part of the course studies the movements of mechanisms and machinery with both graphical and analytical methods for the analysis of position, velocity, and acceleration. The second part of the course studies the forces that act over mechanisms and machinery by using methods such as the Newton-Euler and virtual work. Besides, it presents applications related to flywheels to regulate the energy distribution in machinery, and the static and dynamic balancing of rotating and reciprocating machinery.
Description:
This basic formation course describes the solution to problems of temperature change, phase change and fluid transport. Fundamental concepts of thermodynamics are used to calculate the energy required to heat or cool solids, liquids and gases, and produce phase changes. Fundamentals of fluid mechanics are used to calculate the necessary power to transport liquids and gases through pipes using turbomachines such as pumps and fans. Also, laboratory practices are used to illustrate concepts of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics.
Description:
This transversal training course for all students of the institution has five chapters. It introduces the key principles of sustainability and the path to sustainable development. Addresses ecological principles by deepen into biodiversity, ecosystems, human population and ecosystem services. Study the fundamentals of renewable and non-renewable resources as well as the alternatives for sustainable use. Analyzes environmental quality specifically in the air, water and soil components, delving into issues such as climate change, eutrophication and deforestation. Finally, it emphasizes on the economic axis with topics such as circular economy and on the social axis on topics such as governance and urban planning.
Fourth Year
Description:
The course addresses the development of medium complexity embedded systems from the point of view of software design and integration with peripheral systems. In addition, the use of design patterns for low-level programming using common languages in the hardware industry such as C and C ++ is covered. In the practical section, hardware prototyping platforms are used for the application of theoretical concepts in functional prototypes.
Description:
This professional formation course introduces the fundamentals of computer assisted manufacturing and the functioning of numerical control machines. The course begins with the theory of machining materials followed by a review of the cutting processes usually performed on machine tools. Also, is introduce the computerized numerical control (CNC) and are described the actuation and measurement components in this machine type. Specialized computer programs are used to design mechanical pieces, simulate their manufacture and generate the manufacturing code for the execution on real machines. Finally, is introduced the additive manufacturing process, known as 3D printing.
Description:
This professional engineering formation course details the mechanical component design in mechatronic systems. Computer simulation is used to analyze mechanisms, calculate the loads applied to components, and determine stress and strain Simulation results are evaluated to approximate the power required by the machine and to choose a suitable power source. Standardized methods are applied to design permanent and non-permanent mechanical joints. Manufacturers' manuals are used to select commercially available power transmission components.
Description:
This senior course introduces the basics of kinematic and dynamic calculations in the design of mobile robots and articulated mechanisms. The concepts of degrees of freedom, workspace, mobility, and dexterity are presented, dealing with the redundancies and singularities in robotic mechanisms. The movement is mathematically described using direct and inverse models for the kinematics and dynamics problems. These models are used to solve the tool tip location of articulated robots and their interrelation with mobile robots locations. Sensors and actuators generally used in robotics applications are analyzed with their mathematical representations to describe their workspace.
Description:
This professional training course describes and analyzes topics related to the design of monitoring and sequential control systems with a high impact on the automation of modern industrial processes. The electrical control elements and the technological tools for their choice, programming and their interaction within the automation pyramid are studied through practical exercises and experimental sessions of the industrial type.
Description:
This transversal course addresses the conditions required to innovate and the process associated with developing an innovation from an entrepreneurial point of view. Subsequently, topics such as the identification of opportunities, value creation, and prototyping and validation of products/services proposals are reviewed, as well as the elements of the business model and financial considerations that are essential for the feasibility and adoption of an innovation. Finally, entrepreneurial competences and process associated with the development and adoption of an innovation are studied.
Description:
This senior course gives the student a framework of knowledge that allows students to develop an interdisciplinary understanding and integrated approach to practical and applied engineering problem. This course integrates tools and skills related to computer and software, electronics, control, modelling and simulation. Students get a comprehensive vision of the mechatronics design process by integrating or developing the automation of existing mechanisms or come about with innovative prototypes. Sensors, actuators, and circuits are designed and/or selected for mechatronic systems. Finally, the implementation of control systems utilizing computers and embedded systems that require programming and interface design is deployed.
Description:
This professional formation course studies the supply, installation, driving and control of hydraulic and pneumatic circuits for mechanical power transmission. The laws and fundamentals describing the behavior of power fluids are reviewed. Component selection methods are examined. Basic fluid power application circuits are designed, simulated, and constructed. Besides, applicable safety principles and standards for the maintenance and operation of fluid power systems are introduced.
Description:
In this professional training course, basic knowledge is introduced from the engineering point of view about the main systems responsible for the vital functions of the human body, its regulation and control mechanisms as well as its main biomechanical aspects, the latter being a fundamental point for the design and manufacture of biomedical devices. Also, traditional measurement methods are explored to obtain physiological parameters and medical images and the biointerphases currently proposed. Finally, fundamental concepts of artificial intelligence are studied for the analysis of biomedical data.
Description:
This professional formation course introduces a general description of the manufacturing systems and its analysis in terms of flow, storage, capacities, times and events. Is analyzed how to optimize performance and costs using different robotic equipment and CNC machines. Random events, their effects and the way to work with them are studied. Laboratory practices are made with robotic devices and automated systems that illustrate the exposed knowledge.
Fifth Year
Description:
In this end-of-degree course, the student carries out a project where applying the profiles declared in the career is evidenced, developing processes of creativity, organization, and relevance that involve them in a professional design experience. In the first part of the course, the needs of the client/user/public are identified, the problem/opportunity is defined, data is collected, and critical factors are analyzed. In the second part, alternatives of solutions framed in the regulations and restrictions of each user are created. It concludes with the design and/or implementation of the feasible solution or prototyping and analysis and validation of results.
Additional
ARTS, SPORTS AND LANGUAGES ELECTIVE COURSES
1 credits - 1.9 ECTS
HUMANITIES ELECTIVE COURSES
1 credits - 1.9 ECTS
SELECTED ELECTIVE COURSE
3 credits - 5.8 ECTS
SELECTED ELECTIVE COURSE
3 credits - 5.8 ECTS
The current and potential field of work for Mechatronics Engineers is extensive, ranging from automating operations in microenterprises to fully automating and controlling production lines in large companies. It includes designing simple everyday products as well as sophisticated equipment with cutting-edge technology. Mechatronics Engineers have the opportunity to work in companies across various industrial sectors, including:
Mechanical engineering
Consumer electronics
Automotive
Manufacturing and production
Cement
Plastics
Conventional and renewable energy
Food
Naval and military
Security
Telecommunications
Agribusiness
Robotics
The Mechatronics Engineer works in areas related to precision machinery, automated electronic control systems, and computerized information systems, both in the public and private sectors, in production and services, designing, controlling, and implementing such systems. Other job opportunities can be found in manufacturing, oil, electric power generation, mining, steel, agribusiness, food industries, as well as in transportation services. Independent professional practice, the formation of one's own company, work in research centers, and institutions of higher education are also possible.
Occupational Profile
Within the industry, the Mechatronics Engineer will be able to develop professionally within the following areas:
- Process engineering.
- Project engineering.
- Maintenance of high-tech equipment.
- Design engineering.
- Automation engineering in production lines.
To obtain the title of Mechatronics Engineer, the student must meet the following requirements:
Complete all required credits in the academic curriculum.
Complete community service practices.
Complete business pre-professional internships.
Have no outstanding debts with ESPOL.
Complete their graduation project in Integrative Matter.
During the Integrative Matter course (last semester), students work in teams to carry out a design exercise that allows them to validate their professional profile. For this, students will be guided by tutor professors to apply a design process based on the identification of requirements, problem conceptualization, analysis, risk identification, solution selection, and prototyping.
The Capstone Project is a culminating requirement for graduation. These projects provide students with the experience of applying acquired knowledge and skills to the needs of society, with a focus on sustainability.
The IDEAR Fair showcases all Capstone projects, offering students a valuable opportunity to showcase their work and hone soft skills such as communication and teamwork. It is also a space for students to network with potential clients and future employers.
Explore all of the Capstone projects completed by the Mechatronics Engineering program.
DID YOU KNOW?
This career develops the ability to create technological solutions that improve the quality of life in society, using a multidisciplinary approach that integrates mechanical design, automated control systems, electronics, and computing resources simultaneously, through innovative and sustainable products and services that meet the needs of individuals, the community, and the industry.
