Design and Development in Automotive and Mechanical Engineering

The Esslingen "Master of Engineering in Design and Development in Automotive and Mechanical Engineering" (DDM) focuses on communicating advanced knowledge and abilities in the area of design and development of complex engineering systems. It aims at enabling students to successfully deal with the various facets of modern, simultaneous engineering development projects. Besides advanced technical/scientific lectures and lab work, cross-cultural, interdisciplinary student projects are part of the programme. Through these, students are given the opportunity to share not only their specialised knowledge but also their cultural backgrounds in real-life working scenarios.

First semester:
Advanced Strength of Materials:

• Lightweight Design, Advanced Finite Element Method

Integrity of Structures:

• Integrity of Structures
• Failure Analysis

Vibration Acoustic I:

• Vibration and Acoustic Measurement, Lab Vibration and Acoustic Measurement;

Dynamics:

• Multi Body Systems
• Simulation of Multi Body Systems

Design and Development I:

• Design Methodology, Ecologic and Economic Design, Reliability

Numerical Methods in CAE:

• Numerical Mathematics, CAE Methods and Algorithms

Second semester:
Design for Manufacturing:

• Production-Oriented Product Design
• Production Life Cycle Management with Laboratory

Vibration Acoustic II:

• Vibrations, NVH in Automotive Systems, Lab Computer-Aided Vibration Analysis (CAT)

Advanced Materials Technology:

• Advanced Engineering Materials
• Surface Technology
• Composite Materials

Design and Development II:

• Advanced CAD, Design of Experiments (DoE)
• Project Work

Third semester: Master's thesis
In their final thesis

• students demonstrate the full extent of their scientific and practical engineering knowledge of a specific subject

Master's theses can be

• completed either at the university or, preferably, within a company

The duration is

• six months, including training in soft skills

Study abroad unit(s)

The Master's thesis can be done abroad.

Internships

Students will have to do a Master's thesis in the third semester (six months). Preferably, this is done within a company.

Forms of assessment

Controlled lab reports, written exams after lecture periods, final thesis to be defended, attendance

Course objectives

The aim of the MEng - Design and Development:
The Master of Engineering - DDM is a programme that aims to prepare students for a challenging job in the core areas of design and development within the globalised mechanical engineering and automotive engineering industry. The Esslingen Master of Engineering programme reflects the needs of globally oriented companies. The programmes are designed for students who wish to become highly qualified industrial engineers. To this end, the course is run in close conjunction with local industry, emphasising practical experience.
In addition, students are given the chance to work in networked projects in multicultural teams. The Master of Engineering Programme in Design and Development (DDM) started in 2008 and is offered every year. A Master's degree can be achieved after the usual period of three semesters (one and a half years). The language of instruction is English.

Language requirements

It is recommended to have basic knowledge of German (level A1 finished) by 1 September (it would be advantageous to have achieved it by 31 March); German level A2 has to be completed by the end of the second semester.
An English language test is required (not for applicants who come from English-speaking countries or who graduated from English-speaking Bachelor's programmes): TOEFL, 530 paper-based, 197 computer-based, 71 Internet-based or IELTS test (minimum 6.0 points); Cambridge Certificate (FCE, CAE, CPE) is accepted, as well as Unicert II.

Academic requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering or an equivalent area of engineering with a focus on design and development
• Overall grade A or B (top 35%)
• Minimum credit point workload in Bachelor's studies in the following areas:
  • CAD (Pro/E or CATIA): 5 CP
  • Design/Machine Elements: 15 CP
  • Strength of Materials/Mechanics: 10 CP
  • Mathematics: 8 CP
• one letter of motivation, one page
• two letters of recommendation

Enrolment fees

Each semester, students are required to pay approx. 180 EUR as an enrolment fee.

Costs of living

In order to cover personal expenses during the study programme in Esslingen, we recommend that participants budget around 750 EUR per month, for accommodation (310 EUR), living (200 EUR), health insurance (66 EUR), books (60 EUR), excursions (25 EUR) and miscellaneous expenses (100 EUR).

Job opportunities

A limited number of student jobs are available.
Currently there is no career service but it is planned for the future. Job opportunities for good students depend on the economic situation.

Arrival support

Assistance with integration is provided through the student services of the Graduate School.
We offer an integration week including local tours, a campus tour, information sessions on health insurance, accommodation, transport, bank accounts, etc.

Services and support for international students

• Administrative and organisational support, study programme advice
• Support in finding accommodation
• Offer of German language courses at different levels
• Cultural excursions
• Social support, health insurance, visa issues, etc.
• Possibility of learning various languages
• Offer of a seminar "How to apply for a Master's thesis"

Accommodation

The cost of accommodation is approx. 310 EUR per month in a dormitory.
Assistance is provided upon arrival.
Application for accommodation is only possible after the student has been accepted.