Mechanical Engineering, Master 1 subject

  • What does a future, self-sufficient and environmentally friendly energy supply look like?
  • What materials will the products of the future be made of?
  • Where can the use of artificial intelligence improve processes?
  • How and where can intelligent robots make our everyday lives easier?
  • How do we avoid CO2 emissions?
  • What will the mobility of the future look like?

Steckbrief

Abschluss
Master of Science
Beginn
Winter- und Sommersemester
Dauer
3 Semester
Unterrichtssprache
German, English
Admission
Not restricted, application service
Information on enrollment/application for German applicants

Information on enrollment/application for German applicants

Application information for international applicants

Application information for international applicants

Worum geht's?
Dieser Studiengang ist einzigartig, weil ...
mechanical engineering constitutes the backbone of our entire technology-based culture; first and foremost, mechanical engineering “made in Germany” enjoys an excellent reputation worldwide, is multi-faceted and interdisciplinary.
Er bietet eine Vertiefung in den Bereichen ...
Zu wem passt's?
Wer diesen Studiengang studieren möchte,
have:
  • a good Bachelor’s degree and an interest in continuing his studies

enjoy:

  • doing a PhD
  • conducting research
  • scientific work

struggle through:

  • struggle no longer, rather work in a self-reliant manner on projects they enjoy
Dieser Studiengang ist für Absolvent*innen der folgenden Fächer geeignet
  • Mechanical engineering or related technical subjects
  • Environmental Engineering
  • SEPM
  • Materials science
  • Natural sciences (physics, chemistry and similar subjects)
  • Computer science

Wer einen Abschluss in diesem Studiengang hat, arbeitet häufig
  • in research and development
  • in construction
  • as corporate consultant
  • in plant engineering
  • in managerial positions in the industry
Und sonst?
Ein Praktikum ...

is optional.
Dauer: 20 weeks

Ein Auslandsaufenthalt ... can be covered voluntarily.
Wer hilft?
Academic advisory office

Dr.-Ing. Holger Grote

Building, Room: IC 02/71

E-mail: studium-MB@rub.de

Website academic advisory office

Contact students

Fachschaft: Maschinenbau

Building, Room: IC 03/145

Phone: +49 (0)234 / 32-25545

E-mail: fachschaftsrat.maschinenbau@rub.de

Website Fachschaft

Lukas Hetnöcker

The mechanical engineering degree at RUB opens up many possibilities.

Lukas Hetnöcker Master's degree
Lukas Hetnöcker
Lukas Hetnöcker, eighth semester student in Mechanical Engineering. He is pursuing the Bachelor of Science degree, 1-subject programme.

Wieso haben Sie sich damals für Ihr Studienfach entschieden?

I was an engineering enthusiast even as a child. Back at school, I developed an interest in the energy revolution and in regenerative energies. Consequently, I knew from the very start that I would opt for an engineering degree. The mechanical engineering degree at RUB was a particularly attractive option, because you don’t choose a major until the 5th semester. If I had realised at some point during the degree course that I’d prefer majoring in a different subject, I would have been free to go for it. Some of my fellow students have changed their mind about the subject of choice during the first 4 semesters and have settled for a different major than they’d originally planned. However, I have seen my interests confirmed, which is why I chose energy and process engineering as my major in the 5th semester.

An welchen Stellen haben sich die Erwartungen an Ihr Studienfach erfüllt, an welchen nicht?

At the start of the mechanical engineering course, you expect to be able to handle large machinery and be taught about the latest technological developments. However, the basic courses, which comprise the first 4 semesters, are very theoretical. The typical questions emerged: “What will I ever need this for?” and “Do I really want to do this till the end of my life?” Starting with the 5th semester – following the choice of the major – the degree course got very interesting. In hindsight, I appreciate that many of the mathematical principles taught in the basic course are necessary. And once you recognise a direct relevance for an engineering problem, it stops being dry maths, because you know what you “need it for”.

Was macht Ihnen in Ihrem Fach am meisten Spaß?

I enjoyed calculating plants or components based on realistic standards, i.e. 1:1, the way it is done in the industry. In construction engineering, for example, we designed a go-cart, and in thermodynamics the turbine for a steam power plant.

Was war bisher die größte Herausforderung?

The greatest challenge is maintaining your motivation throughout the exam phases and not losing sight of your goals. In mechanical engineering, exams are written during the semester break. This means that after the semester ends, you don’t get to enjoy a 10-week holiday; instead, you will spend a lot of time revising. At some point, motivation dwindles. In moments such as these, it is important to have fellow students who help you struggle through these difficult times.

Was wollen Sie einmal damit werden?

The mechanical engineering degree at RUB opens up many possibilities. Your chosen major can point you in a particular direction; but thanks to the basic courses, you will have acquired a range of expertise that will enable you to work in other fields, too. This is why my future place of work should be very diverse and provide an ongoing stream of challenges. This will ensure that my work will never get boring and I will continue to learn something new.

Welche Tipps geben Sie den Leuten, die auch überlegen, Ihr Fach zu studieren?

In order to pursue a mechanical engineering degree, you must not have an aversion against mathematics – maths will be inevitable. But don’t worry: the moment you use maths to solve concrete technical problems, rather than schematically, it can be a lot of fun! And don’t let the basic courses discourage you; you will need those basics one day, even though you will only realise that in hindsight.

Wieso haben Sie sich damals für Ihr Studienfach entschieden?

An welchen Stellen haben sich die Erwartungen an Ihr Studienfach erfüllt, an welchen nicht?

Was macht Ihnen in Ihrem Fach am meisten Spaß?

Was war bisher die größte Herausforderung?

Was wollen Sie einmal damit werden?

Welche Tipps geben Sie den Leuten, die auch überlegen, Ihr Fach zu studieren?

Wieso haben Sie sich damals für Ihr Studienfach entschieden?

An welchen Stellen haben sich die Erwartungen an Ihr Studienfach erfüllt, an welchen nicht?

Was macht Ihnen in Ihrem Fach am meisten Spaß?

Was war bisher die größte Herausforderung?

Was wollen Sie einmal damit werden?

Welche Tipps geben Sie den Leuten, die auch überlegen, Ihr Fach zu studieren?

Niklas Stoepel

If you want to study Mechanical Engineering, you should have an interest in technology and not get discouraged easily. One failed exam is not the end of the world.

Niklas Stoepel Bachelor's degree
Niklas Stoepel
Niklas Stoepel is Mechanical Engineering student in his 5th semester. He is pursuing the Bachelor of Science degree. Niklas’ major is Material Engineering.

Wieso haben Sie sich damals für Ihr Studienfach entschieden?

I’ve always been interested in “the system behind”, ever since school (advanced courses: biology and physics). Why does something work the way you want? How can you use technology to put thoughts and ideas into practice? Machine Engineering is the right engineering science to deal with this kind of questions.

An welchen Stellen haben sich die Erwartungen an Ihr Studienfach erfüllt, an welchen nicht?

I found the sheer volume of theoretical knowledge that is forced down your brain disappointing at first. However, as you gain deep insights into the matter in the course of the first four semesters, you really look forward to majoring in the subject.

Was macht Ihnen in Ihrem Fach am meisten Spaß?

Getting an insight into processes that explain how most of our technology works. From touchscreens, through gearboxes to power plant turbines – (almost) everything makes sense sooner or later.

Was war bisher die größte Herausforderung?

The first exam phase. University exams are different than school exams after all. With diligence and hard work, however, the exam phase can be mastered. 

Was wollen Sie einmal damit werden?

After graduating, I’d like to work with material technology in the fields of aviation and aerospace. But nothing’s cast in stone yet. I’ve still got a lot ahead of me.

Welche Tipps geben Sie den Leuten, die auch überlegen, Ihr Fach zu studieren?

You should definitely have an interest in technology and technological systems and not get discouraged easily. One failed exam is not the end of the world. You’ll reap your rewards from the 5th semester on, when you study those subjects you really enjoy in your major.

Niklas Küppers

The importance of the much-cited early interest in engineering for the mechanical engineering degree is overrated, I think.

Niklas Küppers Master's degree
Niklas Küppers
Niklas Küppers is a Mechanical Engineering student in his 10th semester. He is pursuing the Master of Science degree.

Wieso haben Sie sich damals für Ihr Studienfach entschieden?

My interest in energy engineering was roused following my first encounters with thermodynamics, taught in physics resp. chemistry at school. However after my A-levels, I was also interested in a number of non-engineering subjects, those including maths, music and architecture. I made the decision to study mechanical engineering after a gap year (volunteering in social work, internships). The internships in particular gave me an insight into what my future job as an engineer might look like. As a result, I was convinced that taking up the mechanical engineering degree was the right thing to do.

An welchen Stellen haben sich die Erwartungen an Ihr Studienfach erfüllt, an welchen nicht?

The mechanical engineering degree course at RUB is subdivided into two parts: the “first four semesters” and the “rest”. In the first four semesters, students are confronted with many subjects that are not yet interesting at this stage. You have to get used to the format of (frontal) lectures and the (for the most part) challenging exams. Due to the rigid structure, you might at first feel like you’re back at school, which can be frustrating.

The later part of the degree course, on the other hand, offers a wealth of major fields of study, and you have the option to choose your subjects at will. In that phase, you will acknowledge that the basics through which you struggled in the first four semesters were perhaps not very interesting, but that they have been fundamental for understanding the subsequent modules.

Was macht Ihnen in Ihrem Fach am meisten Spaß?

It is very satisfying to immerse yourself in issues and subjects you knew nothing about and to deepen and broaden your understanding in the process. Because you can choose your major fields of study, you will be able to improve your competencies in those subjects that you are genuinely interested in.

Was war bisher die größte Herausforderung?

Organising a “Transcript of Records” in English and the first exam phase.

Was wollen Sie einmal damit werden?

I would like to work as project manager the field of energy and process engineering on an international level. At present (August 2016), I am also tempted to start my own business in this field. The mechanical engineering degree at RUB has prepared me for both options, in my opinion.

Welche Tipps geben Sie den Leuten, die auch überlegen, Ihr Fach zu studieren?

The importance of the much-cited “early interest in engineering” for the mechanical engineering degree is overrated, I think. The degree programme is indeed very demanding, but everyone struggles with the same hurdles. Students who didn’t take advanced maths in the sixth form can (but don’t have to) compensate for it by attending preliminary courses at university; in physics and chemistry, the modules then pick up where the school curriculum left off. As to the other subjects, they will also be new to many of the students who have been interested in engineering. You should not let the first setbacks discourage you; only a small minority passes the exams on the first attempt.

Andere Studiengänge in diesem Fach