The Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering is based on the recommendations of the Faculty of Mechanical and Process Engineering (FTMV) and takes into account the special requirements that the field of aerospace engineering brings with it. Accordingly, the contents are similar to those of a classical degree in mechanical engineering, but emphasize aeronautical and space technology focal points or special fields.
The Bachelor's programme comprises modules totalling 180 ECTS credits. The standard period of study is 3 years (9 trimesters). The curriculum is shown in Figure 1a. The course can also be studied in an intensive study period of 2 ¼ years (7 trimesters). The concept of intensive studies, in which the modules are coordinated over time in such a way that individual modules can be completed one or two years earlier, has proven itself in recent years.
Structure of the programme
The structure and contents of the Bachelor's programme are fundamentally and application-oriented. The orientation was that the graduates build up a competence profile in the sense of the requirements formulated by the Qualifications Framework.
Students of the Bachelor's programme LRT thus acquire skills and abilities in subject areas which can be subdivided into a basic study period and a subject study period, although these are not strictly separated in time. The mathematical and scientific fundamentals also include their deepening in the sense of the requirements of engineering and, in particular, aerospace technology. In addition, it is important to teach students the basics of engineering. Within the framework of the specialist studies, the knowledge from the fundamentals of engineering science must be deepened and expanded in an application- and basic research-oriented manner in order to build up the ability to view technical problems in a holistic and problem-oriented manner. In addition, specific aeronautical and space technology challenges have to be intensively taught as part of the course of study, which takes place in corresponding specialisation and specialisation subjects. The development and operation of technical systems requires further knowledge, which is represented by interdisciplinary non-technical subjects.
These fundamental considerations result in 5 categories of courses, which are described in more detail below.
The basic mathematical/scientific subjects comprise modules in Advanced Mathematics and Experimental Physics. With these courses, students learn about scientific phenomena and physical effects as well as methods for their description using mathematical methods that can be used to present technical problems. On the other hand, the foundations are laid for analyzing technical functions and solving the resulting tasks. Analytical solutions in mathematics often do not exist or are not sufficient to effectively solve practical problems. The modules Numerical Mathematics and Software Development for Engineers provide students with the tools they need to solve problems numerically and translate them into computer programs.
The modules on engineering fundamentals serve to provide the basic knowledge of mechanical engineering. The modules for technical mechanics provide the basis for structural and strength analyses. The contents of the thermodynamics modules have already been expanded to include the specific challenges of aerospace technology. The basics are supplemented by a module Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering. With the modules on materials science, students learn about the properties of metallic and non-metallic materials from the phenomenological and chemical sides as well as from the material-physical side. The associated practical course enables them to gain initial experience in the use of such materials and to illustrate the knowledge acquired in the lectures.
Modules to supplement the basics of engineering are fluid mechanics and basics of aerodynamics, basics of heat transfer, basics of measurement technology as well as control engineering. These modules allow the deepening of engineering fundamentals and the development of specific knowledge required for aeronautical and space systems. In addition to imparting basic knowledge, the aim of these modules is to build up an understanding of the complexity of technical systems.
The interdisciplinary non-technical subjects include the module Fundamentals of Business Administration and Management for Engineers. Here, students learn how the development and emergence of technical systems must be viewed in the context of the market, the company and society. Today, solutions in the engineering sciences are mainly found in teams, which is why communication and presentation techniques are necessary to ensure cooperation. The social, psychological, economic and political prerequisites and effects of the developed systems must also be considered. After all, teamwork and a good command of English are important qualities in the field of aerospace technology. The development of individual skills that go beyond engineering knowledge and skills is supported by modules from the university-wide support programme Studium+.
The knowledge build-up is rounded off by aerospace-specific in-depth and focus modules in lightweight construction, propulsion systems, the basics of flight mechanics and aeronautical engineering and space systems. Within the framework of these modules, the basic knowledge acquired must be applied. The students get an overview of the interaction of the sub-disciplines in real technical systems of aerospace technology. This subject group is supplemented by two compulsory elective modules, which offer students the opportunity to deepen their knowledge in subject areas according to their inclinations.
In order to optimally adapt the competences that the students acquire to future challenges, it goes without saying that the Faculty of Aerospace Technology offers students the opportunity to participate in current research projects. The modules Study Thesis and Bachelor Thesis provide students with a first direct insight into current research challenges and the associated opportunity to work scientifically. With both modules not only an application reference is to be manufactured but at the same time also by the application of the acquired knowledge the ability is to be trained to set methods and knowledge into an application reference and to use for problem solution.
The student research project represents the first major work in which the students work on their acquired knowledge to solve a defined task under the guidance of scientific personnel. In addition to the competence development described above, the aim is to learn and train the methods of scientific work, information acquisition and processing as well as the presentation and documentation of technical and scientific facts.
The bachelor thesis proves that the students are able to independently identify technical and scientific problems within a limited period of time and to transform them into tasks for which they then derive, concretize and implement solutions. The results are not only documented and prepared by the students but also communicated, presented and presented within a development team so that they can be further processed.
With the training contents described, the students acquire both the necessary basic and application-specific knowledge to solve engineering challenges as well as the skills to approach and effectively solve problems in a goal-oriented manner. After familiarisation with a specific working environment, students will be able to familiarise themselves with current subject-specific fields of activity and apply their knowledge and skills to them. This is supported by the fact that social and extracurricular skills are also promoted through training within the framework of Studium+.