Vehicle and traffic engineering

Students learn how to optimize and further develop drives and components for vehicle and transport technology and how transport systems and infrastructures can be designed for the future. The aim is to find innovative solutions for individual and public transportation and to develop environmentally friendly mobility concepts. The largest and fastest-growing area within this field of study is probably electromobility, which is reflected in a small but growing number of specialized undergraduate and postgraduate courses. 

In the field of aerospace engineering, research is being carried out into the lightest possible systems with high reliability, as well as into new synthetic fuels. The choice of materials and substances is of crucial importance. The links to materials science are correspondingly close (see section 3.2.24).

Content such as engineering mathematics and computer science, scientific and design fundamentals and technical mechanics play a major role in all degree courses in this field. Production engineering, materials science, electrical engineering and electronics, strength of materials, as well as measurement and sensor technology are also part of the basic skills. These are supplemented by vehicle-specific knowledge and often business fundamentals as well as English.

Modules such as vehicle development, design, drive and chassis technology, mechatronics, driving dynamics, control and driver assistance systems, measurement and testing technology and simulation serve to deepen vehicle-specific knowledge in the automotive engineering degree course. Depending on the course offered, it is possible to specialize in areas such as design and development, systems and drive technology, energy technology, chassis or body technology, as well as service or design. There are also modules such as cost and investment management, business organization and industrial management, project and quality management. 

Due to the wide range of requirements in vehicle and traffic engineering, a clear specialization is already provided for in the undergraduate course:

• Degree courses in the field of electromobility impart scientific knowledge for the production and development of electric drives and electric cars. A large part of the course revolves around battery technology, electric drives and power electronics.

• Degree courses in automotive engineering deal with the series production of motor vehicles and cover areas such as automotive or production engineering and electronic/mechanical systems. In addition, there are modules such as automotive structure/bodywork, automotive electronics, drive, transmission and chassis technology, measurement and sensor technology, human-machine interface, system theory and system technology, simulation technology, control and regulation technology, thermodynamics, CAD/CAE/CAM tools, manufacturing processes, automation and assembly as well as quality management.

• Students of vehicle informatics and electronics deal with the IT architecture of vehicles. Basic technical and scientific modules are supplemented by modules such as “Sensor Technology”, “Intelligent Mobility Systems” or “Algorithms and Data Structures”.

• Building on basic engineering subjects, the Traffic Engineering/Transport Technology degree program expands transport-specific knowledge in areas such as planning and operation in transport, mobility and transport research, traffic management, vehicle technology, testing and approval.

• In aerospace engineering studies, the fundamentals are supplemented by application-related modules such as aerodynamics, design and construction, production engineering, flight mechanics, lightweight construction, engine construction, machine dynamics, control engineering, fluid mechanics and materials engineering. In rare cases, the course is combined with pilot training (ATPL). Depending on the course offered, the Master's degree focuses on areas such as aircraft construction, lightweight construction technology, engine or aerospace engineering.
  
   
• In shipbuilding and marine technology, the curriculum includes subjects such as welding technology, hydromechanics, ship elements, buoyancy and stability in addition to the engineering fundamentals. This is followed by special application modules such as shipbuilding, equipment, design and construction of ships, marine engineering, marine electronics, measurement technology in shipbuilding, production and shipyard operations. Students complete practical work experience in the form of industry and research projects. 

• The Nautical Science course includes application-oriented introductory courses on navigation, ship safety, IT and labor law. This is followed by specialization in the areas of ship management, maritime traffic safety and environmental protection, cargo technology and safety, as well as personnel management and maritime business administration. There are compulsory elective modules in the areas of nautical science/technology or economics/law. There are also training trips and simulator training. In addition to the university degree, students usually also graduate as a nautical or technical officer of the watch.

• The curriculum for the Marine Engineering course includes modules in the fields of maritime economics, maritime English, personnel management, fuel and hazardous materials. Specializations are possible in subjects such as combustion engines/turbines, machine dynamics, steam, refrigeration and air conditioning technology, fuel and environmental protection technology, ship automation and marine electrical engineering. There are also modules in public law and maritime law. In addition to laboratory exercises on running machines, exercises are also carried out on the simulator.

A pre-study internship lasting several weeks is often mandatory for admission to the course. For some courses like marine engineering, special admission requirements apply. These might be a completed vocational training as a ship mechanic, in a recognized metal or electrical engineering apprenticeship including one year of seagoing service, or approved practical training and seagoing service as a technical officer's assistant. Important school subjects are physics, mathematics, computer science and English.

Degree courses in this field can usually be completed at undergraduate and postgraduate level and are offered at universities and, in the majority of cases, at universities of applied sciences.

In terms of content, automotive, marine and aerospace engineering primarily cover the construction and operation of vehicles and their drives and equipment. The focus is on motor and rail vehicles, ships, airplanes, helicopters, spaceships and other missiles such as satellites.