The programme was approved by University of Maribor Senat on November 17, 2009, and by the Council for Higher Education on February 25, 2010. The programme was re-approved by University of Maribor Senat on June 21, 2016 and on December 21, 2017, re-accredited by the Council of Slovenian Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.

Conditions for advancement to the second study year: A student advances to the second study year if they collect at least 52 ECTS credits by passing the first study year exams. Conditions for advancement to the third study year: A student advances to the third study year if they have passed all first study year exams and if they collect at least 45 ECTS credits by passing the second study year exams. The conditions for promotion under extraordinary conditions and the conditions for repetition are defined by the Statute of the University of Maribor https://www.um.si/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Statut-Univerze-v-Mariboru-uradno-precisceno-besedilo-UPB-13.pdf

The undergraduate first-degree higher professional study programme Mechatronics is comprehensive and does not contain modules, and thus does not provide conditions for the completion of individual parts of the study programme.

A graduate of the study programme for obtaining a first-degree higher professional education may continue with master’s studies in the second-degree study programmes in accordance with the conditions determined by the higher education institution announcing the postgraduate study programme.

The 1 st degree professional study program of Mechatronics enables the graduates an excellent employability in a variety of business because of the quality of acquired competences. Graduates are employed in almost all areas that are in any way connected with the profession of mechatronics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and informatics. In addition to excellent employment opportunities in basic areas, they also acquire skills that enable them to assume the leading managerial positions in various fields, either as leaders of smaller working groups, departments, and small and medium-sized enterprises.

Information on study programmes offered by the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering are available on the following websitehttps://www.fs.um.si/en/study/study-programme/. Information on study programmes offered by the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science are available on the following website https://feri.um.si/en/study/programmes/.

There are no other obligations.

Examination and assessment of student learning outcomes is performed in accordance with the criteria and methods defined in the Rules on the Examination and Assessment of Knowledge at the University of Maribor https://www.um.si/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Pravilnik-o-preverjanju-in-ocenjevanju-znanja-na-Univerzi-v-Mariboru-stev.-A4-2009-41-AG-uradno-precisceno-besedilo-UPB1.pdf In the case of an individual study unit, the type and manner of taking the examination and the conditions for taking the examination are determined by the curriculum, which is an integral part of the study programme. The curriculum determines the share of each method of examining and assessing the knowledge, which contributes to the final assessment. For all subjects in all study programmes of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, knowledge assessment is regulated by a single Assessment Scale, which is available at the following website: https://feri.um.si/studij/vprasanja-in-odgovori/. For all subjects in all study programmes of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, knowledge assessment is regulated by a single Assessment Scale, which is available at the following website: https://www.fs.um.si/studij/informacije-o-studiju/izpitni-sistem/. Methods of continuous examination and assessment of knowledge are encouraged, thus enabling students to continuously monitor their own progress in their studies.

The fundamental objective of the 1 st degree professional study program of Mechatronics is to develop specialist-engineer for different work and tasks in companies, where the engineers are able to solved practical problems based on theoretical and practical solutions, procedures and methods. The greater emphasis in the study is on applied knowledge, less on basic knowledge. Nevertheless, by studying the scientific foundations of the subject study programme, technological foundations, applied and system knowledge, as well as individual and business knowledge, the graduates will gain a good overview of the broader field of mechatronics. In addition to the applied orientation of knowledge, the graduates will be trained to transfer the acquired theoretical and professional knowledge into practice and to independently and creatively solve less demanding and moderately demanding problems. With modern teaching concepts, a focus on connecting theory with practice, an application-orientation of the study programme and the promotion of independent work, we will meet the expectations of students, employers and society as a whole. In the senior years, the student of the subject study programme will be able to select – in addition to elective courses that are application-oriented – also courses with which they will further deepen the scientific and technological foundations, expand their conceptual world, strengthen the universality of knowledge and thus prepare well for possible further study in the second-degree Bologna study programmes.

Students of the first-degree higher professional study programme Mechatronics will acquire appropriate competencies in the educational process, so that they will be able to perform the set task in accordance with the standards of work performance. We will enable graduates to acquire quality knowledge, as well as skills, abilities, values and a positive self-image, which, in addition to knowledge, significantly contribute to work success. The graduates of the higher professional study programme will be application-oriented professionals. They will master procedures in the broader field of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science and informatics, i.e. mechatronics, and design, plan, construct, manufacture and maintain mechatronic products and systems with professional criticism, self-critical judgement and responsibility, taking into account professional excellence, social utility, ethical responsibility, commitment to professional ethics, and criteria for the environmental integrity of products and procedures used. With the help of organised professional practice, the graduates will creatively connect theoretical foundations with applied knowledge during their studies. The interdisciplinary orientation of the study contents will enable them a broader knowledge of the field of mechatronics and contribute to good flexibility. They will be able to analyse problems and anticipate possible solutions and consequences. They will be independent in the work that corresponds to their level of education, and at the same time they will also develop communication and skills in group work in domestic and international environments. The stated general competencies derive from the basic subject content of the study programme and outline the general, basic character of the graduate. During the study process, their knowledge is not the only thing that deepens, but also their attitude towards the use of this knowledge. In this way, the educational component is related to the educational component, as well.

The subject competence is an activity that is developed to the extent that it enables an individual to efficiently perform activities in the work process to which it relates. Subject competence means the direct use of specialist or applied knowledge and is developed in simulations, case studies and in the direct use of knowledge in problem solving. A graduate of the first-degree higher professional study programme Mechatronics is an expert with theoretical and specifically applied knowledge for solving specific problems in planning, managing and performing professional tasks in the broad field of mechatronics and in various jobs. The study programme enables the graduate to acquire quality knowledge by connecting theoretical concepts with professional and applied ones, and to develop the ability to transfer and use expert knowledge in practice for solving professional and work problems. For this, they mainly use the existing procedures, concepts, methods and solutions, but also seek new sources of knowledge. During the study, the graduates develop professional criticism and responsibility, initiative and independence in decision-making and managing of less demanding and moderately demanding work. At the same time, they develop the ability to communicate in the profession and between professions, within the organisations and externally with partners and clients. Through professional practice under the guidance of a qualified mentor, they acquire the ability that enables the practical realisation of professional concepts. Subject competences are listed for each curriculum separately. The main subject-specific competencies developed by the first-degree higher professional study programme Mechatronics, which are an upgrade of the above, can be summarised in the following points: • The graduates will be able to design and construct mechatronic elements, assemblies, devices, machines, plants, and complex mechatronic systems; • They will be able to use computer-aided design, program controllers and control systems, they will use Internet technologies and tools; • They will be able to use tools for modelling, optimisation and simulation of processes, machines, devices, manufacturing processes, products, production plants, and mechatronic systems; • They will be able to design and develop less demanding machines, devices and plants, elements of drive technology, sensors, controllers, and appropriate software; • They will be able to use, manage and maintain modern mechatronic systems, production technologies and automated and robotic production systems; • They will be able to manage information, material and energy flows in the design, formation, construction, assembly, disassembly and maintenance of products and mechatronic systems; • They will be able to organise and manage a simpler production process; • They will manage to ensure the appropriate quality of products by performing appropriate measurements and quality control; • They will be able to provide measures for the smooth operation, maintenance and environmental integrity of mechatronic systems throughout their lifetime; • They will be capable of interdisciplinary understanding of activities in mechatronic systems; • They will be able to constantly develop skills and abilities in the application of knowledge in a certain professional field; • They will be able to use modern computer, information and communication technologies and systems in the professional field; • They will know and understand the history of mechatronics development and its disciplines.

In the higher professional study programme Mechatronics can enrol those who: a) have passed the Matura examination, b) have passed a Vocational Matura examination from any kind of high school programme, c) have completed any kind of high school programme of four years duration before 1st June 1995.

If a decision is taken to restrict enrolment, the candidates referred to in Points a), b), and c) will be selected according to the following criteria: • Overall success at the Matura Exam, Vocational Matura Exam or final exam 60% of points, • Overall success in the third and fourth year of the Secondary school 40% of points.

In accordance with the Criteria for transitions between study programmes, the candidates enrol: • In the second or higher year of the first-degree higher professional study programme Mechatronics, when it comes to the termination of education according to the first study programme in the field of Mechatronics (0788); Metallurgy and Mechanical Engineering (0715); Economic Engineering - Mechanical Engineering (0788); Electrical Engineering and Energetics (0713); Economic Engineering - Electrical Engineering (0788); Electronics and Automation (0714), Motor vehicles, ships and aircrafts (0716), and continuation of studies according to the same study programme of the same degree. The transition is possible if the candidate meets the following conditions: • They meet the conditions for enrolment in the first year of the higher professional study programme of the first-degree study programme Mechatronics; • They transfer from the study programme, which at the end of the study ensures the acquisition of comparable competencies or learning outcomes; • Upon transition, at least half of the obligations under the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (hereinafter referred to at: the ECTS) from the first study programme, which relate to the compulsory subjects of the second study programme were recognised. Transitions between the first-degree higher professional study programmes. The transition from one study programme to another study programme is decided by the Study Affairs Committee of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering or Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. In accordance with the Rules on the Recognition of Knowledge and Skills in the Study Programmes of the University of Maribor, the candidate must submit the following to the faculty: • An application for the recognition of knowledge and skills at the University of Maribor: • A certificate of completed study obligations (exams) with the obtained grades and number of credit points; • A validated curriculum according to which knowledge has been acquired; • A proof of payment of the procedure. If at least as many ECTS credits are recognised in the recognition process at the time of transfer, so that the conditions for enrolment in the senior year of the first-degree high professional study programme Mechatronics will be met, the candidate is granted enrolment in the second or higher year of the subject study programme. They are assigned the missing obligations they must complete if they want to graduate under the new study programme. Transfer from higher education study programmes to the 1st cycle of Mechatronics professional study programmes is not possible.

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering recognises the acquired knowledge, qualifications or abilities on the basis of the Rules on the Recognition of Knowledge and Skills in the Study Programmes of the University of Maribor, which regulates the procedures for identifying, verifying and recognising knowledge and the criteria for recognising knowledge acquired through formal and non-formal learning before enrolment and during the studies at the University of Maribor. The faculty recognises the knowledge and skills of the candidates, gained before enrolment, if, in terms of scope, their content and complexity fully or partially correspond to the general or subject-specific competencies determined by the study programme in which the candidates wish to enrol or are enrolled. The basis for the recognition of knowledge and skills are the certificates or other documents: - publicly valid documents (certificates, diplomas), - certificates of completed work of the study programme or completed obligations in the study programme, - certificates of education and training providers on successful completion of education/training, certificates and other documents, - products, services, projects, publications and other author's works of candidates, - evidence of registered patents, - relevant references on practical training and work experience, - knowledge acquired through self-education and informal learning and other evidence/knowledge assessed by the Commission for Academic Affairs UM FERI or Commission for Academic Affairs UM FS.

A student who completes all the obligations prescribed by the study programme and thus collects at least 180 ECTS credits completes their studies.