The purpose of this study was to exploreengineering students’ ways of solving problems specific formaterial technology and thermodynamics. A writtenquestionnaire was used for data collection. Results show thatestablishing an understanding for fundamental scientific conceptsis a process that takes time. The concepts in focus have been partof the school curricula since the compulsory school level, and formany of the students the concepts were still not established. Theamount of time required to acquire concepts becomes especiallyimportant for discussions concerning a broadened studentrecruitment, where a change in prerequisites for university leveleducation may lead to students who have less understanding forfundamental concepts, and thereby contribute to a reduction in thequality of higher education.