Official Study Guide for Germany
Automation technology, production technology
Students in this field are primarily concerned with control, regulation and automation technology in order to optimize production processes or develop innovative systems and machines for the increasingly automated industry.
Overview of the academic discipline
The tasks of automation and production engineering include the development of new manufacturing processes and products as well as the planning of production facilities, production lines and complete production sites. Graduates in this field of study design complex automation concepts and digital infrastructures and develop the necessary hardware and software. Automation tasks require, among other things, the use of methods from electrical engineering, systems theory and control engineering, sensor and measurement technology, process computer and communication technology. The development and responsible use of highly specialized AI systems also plays an immense role in this field of engineering.
Which topics are included in the curriculum?
The course teaches mathematical, scientific and technical content in sub-areas of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and information technology. In addition to subjects such as control, measurement and digital technology, the curriculum includes thermodynamics, design, CAD, materials science, business administration, computer science and subject-related English.
What are the requirements?
Some universities carry out an internal selection procedure or provide for pre-study internships. In many cases, these can be completed during the lecture-free period. Important school subjects for studying in this area include mathematics, physics, computer science and English.
What study programmes are there to choose from?
Degree courses in this field are offered at undergraduate and postgraduate level, most of them at universities of applied sciences, but some are also offered at universities. In addition to the classics “Automation Technology”, “Production Engineering” and “Robotics and Autonomous Systems”, there are also degree courses such as “Smart Automation” or “Computational Engineering”, each of which has its own focus. In Master's degree courses, students specialize in areas such as economic efficiency (“Value Added Management”) or specific areas of application (“Automotive Production”).
Almost all degree courses in this area include integrated practical periods or semesters, and dual study models are also becoming increasingly common.
What job opportunities are there after graduation?
Production and automation engineers work in all sectors in which products are manufactured industrially. Many jobs can be found in mechanical and plant engineering, automotive engineering, the electrical industry, the precision engineering industry, the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, the textile industry, the paper industry, the iron and steel industry, the food and beverage industry and in energy production. In addition, they are employed in engineering offices, by trade and professional associations, and in the public sector, for example in trade supervision or occupational health and safety offices. Self-employment in sales or consulting is also possible.