Automotive Systems Master (MEng)

Study program Automotive Systems Master (MEng) - Concept and overview

Aim of the study program Automotive Systems Master (MEng)

In recent years automotive systems have increased in number, scope and complexity. The automotive industry is faced with an enormous challenge due to the rise in competition and steadily increasing requirements regarding cost, active and passive safety and fuel economy.
These challenges can only be met by expanding and cross-linking the present automotive systems. In spite of increasing complexity, systems with greater safety, availability and reliability have to be realised.

The study program should will enable students to

develop automotive feed-back control systems in their complexity
understand and apply modern developing methods
apply demanding mathematic methods
understand physical aspects of the driving dynamic and develop feedback control systems to improve active safety and the driving comfort
understand physical aspects of the drive engineering and based on it to develop new drive engineering concepts (Hybrid propulsion, fuel cell) for the improvement of the environmental sustainability
develop hardware (controller) for the automotive electronics and hardware components and their integration in the car, taking into account automotive boundary conditions (function, packaging, EMC..)
develop safe and secure software for embedded systems
develop bus - and communication systems and safety concecpts for automotive feedback control sytems and infotainment and to handle their complexity

Through the aquirement of mangement methods and the knowledge of production management, master degree graduates are able to be joint links and project leader in international and interdisciplinary team work and can be in the position of high qualified executive functions.

Graduates of the study program are qualified to work in various fields of profession. First and foremost they are trained for the automotive manufacturer (OEM`s) and the automotive supplier industry. Moreover they can implement activities in engineering offices or realize executive functions in public affairs concerning environment, mobility or traffic.

Faculty and Teaching Philosophy

The faculty teaching consists of a mixture of professors from the Esslingen University of Applied Sciences as well as experts from our corporate partners. As the university is located in the very heart of the European automotive industry, students benefit from the close links to a lot of industrial companies situated in the area. Among these are global players such as Audi, Behr, Bosch, DaimlerChrysler, Porsche, Festo. Because of our strong commitment to provide our students hands-on knowledge, students through company visits, project work and case studies get the chance to gain knowledge in the modern methods of development and production.

The international aspect of studies is assured through 50% of the study places reserved for foreign students, through the intensive and long-time cooperation with our foreign key-partner universities and through English as language of instruction.

The Esslingen M Eng program reflects the needs of globally-oriented companies. The programs are designed for students who wish to become highly-qualified industrial engineers. In addition, students are given the chance to work in networked projects performed in multicultural teams.

The M Eng program in Automotive Systems (ASM) will be offered in 2008, every year once, starting in September. The M Eng master's degree can be achieved after the study period of three semesters (1,5 years).

Course Structure

The study program has the period of three semesters (1,5 years) and its curriculum has a modular structure. Students receive all together 90 credits for their studies (30 credits/semester).

In the first semester modules are offered to deepen and enlarge the knowledge gained durign undergraduate studies.
In the second semester students have to choose one of two modules of spezialisation according to their major. Additionally students will take part in a common module and in a team project, which will be done in international and intercultural teams in the labs of the University.
In the third semester the Master`s Thesis will be done, which will be performed preferably in industry. Additionally training in softskills will be offered.

All certificates can be issued in German and in English utilizing both the German and international grading systems.

Cross disciplinary - Cross Cultural Networks

In addition to this, the learning approach itself is both international and interdisciplinary. Interacting in teams of different cultures, languages and disciplines, students create new sources of synergy and productivity and at the same time acquire new skills. Here, all faculties of business and engineering work side by side to share knowledge and achieve common goals.

The students of all master programs profit of the social support in all relevant situations. The common multidisciplinary German language courses enable foreign students to better intergrate in German life during their studies and life in Germany.
The networks which have been built during the years will be deepened through contacts to the student of the higher semester and alumni by meetings and alumni-festivals.