Sylvio Schnapperelle, PrE Student

Why did you choose the MSc Precision Engineering over other engineering study programs?

Ever since I was younger I was always more drawn towards physics, and more specifically mechanics, as these subjects were more interesting and intuitive to me than the rest. After completing an aeromechanical engineering bachelors degree in Scotland, I discovered that my theoretical fluid mechanics were less so my passion, but rather more hands on work, as well as CAD and FEA.

Hence, I looked for opportunities where I coincidentally found this ultraprecision engineering course which not only fit my interests but went beyond as it also included topics I hadn’t even considered before and piqued my interest. Being able to work extensively on a CE lab as well as a masters project with lower focus on exams was a great factor for my decision to chose the MSc Precision Engineering program. 

In what ways did the MSc Precision Engineering program differ from your previous academic experience during your Bachelor's studies in Glasgow?

My previous course had close to no practical experience nor real life applications and focused primarily on theoretical physics. We went into incredible detail about the bernoullis principle, how to derive them, apply them, as well as numerical methods, dynamics, statics and more. While this may be the dream for some it was less interesting to me. The classes were considerably larger with 200-300 students in most lectures, making professor-student interactions minimal or non-existent for the vast majority of students compared to the 15-20 students in my current Masters course.

However, the exam style was more consistent across modules which was quite the culture shock after experiencing the first exam period here. Another difference was that the campus, which is also in the city center, was far less scattered allowing you to reach any campus building by foot.
Nonetheless, since the buses in Bern are incredibly consistent and frequent, reaching any building in the University of Bern is no issue.  

After your first semester, what’s one thing you think other people should know about the MSc Precision Engineering?

This is a master’s course in the field of engineering. Hence, there naturally are expectations of bachelor level knowledge in certain fields, mainly engineering. While this is particularly important for applicants with a bachelors in a non-engineering related field, it even matters to those with mechanical engineering backgrounds. This is because it is highly unlikely that your bachelors taught you everything you need to know to start this course. Of course, the closer to mechanical you are, the more of the prerequisites you have reached already, but do be prepared to catch up on or re-learn some topics and or skills, whether it is material science, CAD skills, basics in light theory, coding proficiency or something else.

Do not be alarmed, as it is completely manageable and ideally do look through the prerequisites offered by the study program for every course ahead of week 1 to ease yourself into the course start. 

What are you most looking towards in the practical part of the studies through the CE Lab?

Primarily the excitement of making things work. Personally, I feel a great sense of fulfilment through practical projects as there is tangible proof of progress, as well as consistent dopamine from solving problems. There are unique challenges throughout keeping it interesting and gives you an outlet to apply your knowledge, which to me reduces the severity imposter syndrome which I've slowly developed over the years of pure theory. Furthermore, I much prefer the assessment method being a report and presentation as you grade depends less on you exam skills but rather the effort invested into the project throughout the semester.