Content

At the beginning of the course students select one of the following two specializations: 1) Simulation Technology and Electronics or 2) Robotics and Automation. In year one students take compulsory, specialization, optional and key qualifications modules. In the selection of specialization and optional modules, students can define their own areas of specialization. Students also have the option of performing project work in place of optional modules. The third and final semester is reserved for the master's thesis and the colloquium.

Qualification targets

Common qualification targets for both specializations

Typical careers graduates can find include positions as specialists or in managerial functions in application oriented research and development as well as in technical sales and quality control. Target sectors mainly include important regional industries such as the automotive and automotive supplier industries, aviation and aerospace, optics and metrology as well as special purpose machine building and packaging machines.

We want our graduates to learn how to conduct academic research, and building on the knowledge they have of their field of work, be able to develop skills to provide original and innovative solutions to problems in both new areas and in those they are familiar with.

We want them to be able to communicate the knowledge they have acquired, the conclusions they draw from this and the relevant underlying principles and learn how to be good team leaders, even in international teams. The learning strategies they develop will allow them to continue to acquire knowledge autonomously.

In their compulsory modules students receive a well-founded education in the mathematical and theoretical foundations of the subjects relevant for electrical engineering. Depending on their own interests, students can specialize in a particular topic by selecting modules from specialization module catalogues and apply the knowledge acquired here in the relevant optional modules.

Simulation Technology and Electronics

Business in the central part of Hesse is characterized by small and medium-sized companies, including many "hidden champions". Important core components in the product portfolios of these companies are based on (in-house developed) electronics combined with high-performance software for the activation of mechanical actuators, facilities and machines.

Computer-assisted simulation technologies accelerate product development, make it more efficient and safer and help to avoid impasses. The present postgraduate course addresses this topic and we want to continue this in the Simulation Technology and Electronics specialization topic.  Students learn to apply computer-assisted simulation programs to problems related to circuit design, electronics development and systems design. Issues from the following areas are addressed:

• Prediction of system behaviour from an EMC standpoint
• Design and verification of circuit topologies
• Integration of electronics, software and algorithms and processes to be controlled
• Assessment of methods and materials for component development

The credit points for the Simulation Technology and Electronics specialization consist of the following:

• Compulsory modules comprise 30 credits
• 2 of 4 modules in specialization area V1 (10 credits)
• 3 optional modules make up 15 credit points 
• Key qualification modules comprise 5 credit points
• Master thesis with colloquium (30 credits)

Robotics and Automation

For several decades now, robotics, an important driver of technology, has experienced constant growth in Germany and around the world. In particular, it represents one of the core components of the many ideas currently being discussed under the heading smart factory and industry 4.0.  For that reason, the goal of this automation technology specialization is to focus on corresponding technology plans and components. In addition there is - and especially with reference to the demographic development in Germany - an increased importance of robotics in the home (smart home, ambient assisted living). Although this is not the focus of the course curriculum, the basic technological challenges in this area are related to those in an industrial environment in many respects. We want graduates specializing in Robotics and Automation to work on problems within the scope of "intelligent" sensor & actuator systems with regard to

• conception and modelling
• simulation of the logical and kinematic & dynamic behaviour
• open-loop and close-loop control
• integration and operation in an IT linked environment

and above all with regard to the discovery of new applications and against the background of relevant research questions.

The credit points for the Robotics and Automation specialization consist of the following:

• Compulsory modules comprise 29 credit points
• One module each from the specialization areas V2, V3 and V4 (16 credits)
• 2 optional modules comprise 10 credit points
• Key qualification modules comprise 5 credit points
• Master thesis with colloquium (30 credits)

Graduate qualifications

Graduates of the postgraduate course in Electrical Engineering and Information Technology are able to conduct academic research, and building on the knowledge they have of their field of work, they can develop skills to provide original and innovative solutions to problems in both new areas and in those they are familiar with. They are good team leaders, even for international teams and possess learning strategies allowing them to continue to acquire knowledge autonomously to a great extent.

Career options

Graduates can find careers as specialists or in managerial positions in application oriented research and development as well as in technical sales and quality control. Target sectors include the automotive industry, aviation and aerospace, optics and metrology, special purpose machine building, packaging machines as well as power engineering and drive technology.

The chances of quickly finding a career entry position after graduation are excellent and the pay is above average. Current studies carried out by the "Zentralverband der Elektrotechnik- und Elektroindustrie (abbreviated ZVEI = Association of Electrical Engineering and the Electrical Industry) and the "Verband der Elektrotechnik, Elektronik und Informationstechnik (abbreviated VDE = Association of Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Information Technology) demonstrate that over the next few years, there will not be enough electrical and IT engineers in Germany to meet market demands due to the increasing importance of electrical engineering.

Career starts for electrical engineers range from research and development to commissioning, maintenance, project and quality management to sales. Job duties are numerous since optimum solutions for current technical challenges would not be possible without the help of electrical and IT engineers:

• Automation engineering (robotics, industry 4.0)
• Automotive (electric mobility, autonomous driving, car-to-X)
• Electronics (micro- and nanoelectronics, smart devices, energy efficient systems, highly integrated computer systems)
• Electrical energy engineering (regenerative energy, smart grids, energy storage)
• Information and communication engineering (telecommunications, optical data transmission, the internet of things, mobile radio)

In general, electrical and IT engineering graduates can expect to find well-paid jobs in a wide variety of industries with a wide variety of duties. The department has a list of current vacancies.

Alumni

David Buhren studied at THM and is currently a software developer at Schunk Sonosystems in Wettenberg.

 From the very beginning think about the skills you would like to have as an engineer when you graduate. That's the only way you will be able to develop the skill set you wish to achieve.

I began my degree course at THM because I was interested in the subject. As long as I can remember I have had a strong interest in electrical engineering, programming and automation technology. It is fascinating to me to know that, starting with a hand full of electronic components and some ingenuity, you can develop a system that will make other people's jobs a lot easier.

After finishing my undergraduate degree I began a postgraduate course in electrical engineering and information technology and graduated in 2016. Even while I was working on my master's thesis I kept a lookout for exciting vacancies. I was interviewed by a few companies, and some went well, while other didn't go so well. Ultimately I was able to find a good job that is fun and pays well. Not only that, I could start work there right after completing my master's thesis.

I am now a software developer at Schunk Sonosystems in Wettenberg where I design graphical user interfaces using the programming language C++. I also develop software for fully automated ultrasonic welding machines.

Even as a student I was a member of M.A.M.U.T. Robotics and my advice to students is this: From the very beginning think about the skills you would like to have as an engineer when you graduate. That's the only way you will be able to develop the skill set you wish to achieve.