Electrical Engineering and Information Technology (M.Sc.)

Almost all the achievements of modern society would be unthinkable without information and communication technology. For example, smartphones, networked vehicles and robots, medical technology and assistance systems as well as energy networks and systems are developed by teams in which information technology specialists play a key role. Our everyday lives are determined by the handling of huge amounts of data that are available on demand, as implemented in the 5th generation of mobile communications (5G), which is currently being developed into 6G.

With increasing digitalization, the importance of information technology will grow noticeably in the coming years. Our students gain in-depth knowledge of existing methods, systems and components of information and communication technology and will therefore be indispensable players in the upcoming challenges. They are therefore of central importance for the technological development of our society.

Electrical energy is the most important energy source of the future. The energy transition, i.e. the conversion of the electrical energy supply to predominantly renewable energy sources as well as new energy, information and communication technologies, requires significant changes in the operational environment of electrical energy systems. Within this specialization, students are taught the latest technological and methodological developments in the fields of energy and automation technology. The course content is characterized by a high degree of topicality and intensive, practice-oriented research work.

Micro- and nanoelectronics is a key technology for innovation. It is difficult to imagine a world without this technology. There would be no computers, no modern cars, no industrial production, no intelligent ID cards, no diagnostic systems for a healthy life, no efficient drives and sensor technology for sustainable and intelligent mobility. Germany would also not be able to drive forward innovations in grid control for a sustainable energy supply and the digitalization of our society and economy.

Whether in the automotive sector, the energy industry, biotechnology, medicine or IT - microelectronics can be found almost everywhere these days. It makes our electrical devices smaller, lighter and more effective. Engineers play a key role in this process. They develop and manufacture optical, electronic and mechanical components and use them to create functioning systems. The professional field of microelectronics is still relatively young, but the demand for qualified specialists in this field is all the higher.

In today's world, access to any services and information at any time and any place is a matter of course. However, this means that all devices and sensors (i.e. all "things") must be digitized and networked. Students learn how such "things" work and understand the communication technology required for networking (from radio and various internet protocols to applications). They become familiar with the current fields of application that have emerged as a result of the Internet of Things, such as smart homes, Industry 4.0, precision agriculture and intelligent transportation systems.

Climate targets can only be achieved through less traffic and less congestion. Radio technologies play a key role in achieving this and also in ensuring absolutely safe traffic without accidents. A specialization that draws on a wealth of knowledge in various areas and offers a perfect combination of physics, mathematics and computer science as well as links to legal and ethical issues.

Excellent research facilities, collaboration in a team of top-class scientists and industrial partners, a global network with opportunities for guest stays and intercultural encounters provide a highly attractive study framework. Companies, universities and authorities alike are looking for graduates in this rapidly growing field - the best conditions for a successful professional and academic career.

In the past, software was developed for a very specific use case and could therefore not be used outside of this use case. Artificial intelligence methods attempt to integrate methods into software that emulate the intelligence of humans and are therefore able to learn and solve unforeseen tasks. Students are familiarized with the current state of the art of methods such as machine learning, pattern and image recognition, generic algorithms or data mining and can discuss the advantages of using these methods in different applications.

Automation and systems engineering is a key discipline for the development, optimization and application of new processes and technologies of the future. Systems engineers with skills in the modelling, simulation, optimization and control of complex and networked systems are sought after in a wide range of industries.

This specialization therefore teaches relevant and modern methods ranging from process optimization and advanced control and systems engineering methods to data-driven methods of system identification. The skills taught pave the way for modern and sustainable automation in areas such as traffic engineering, the automotive industry, aerospace, robotics and process engineering.

Our modern life as well as electronic and electrotechnical industries are no longer conceivable without microelectronics, i.e. microelectronic circuits and systems. So-called mixed-signal circuits, which contain both analog and digital components, are used almost exclusively. These measure, control and regulate, often in conjunction with sensors, applications in almost all areas of daily life, be it the intelligent washing machine, the smart TV, the smartphone, but also the IoT (Internet of Things), Industry 4.0, autonomous driving, medical technology, digitalization, ICT (information and communication technology) and much more. This also includes everything described for the "Microelectronics and nanotechnology" specialization.

However, while "Microelectronics and Nanotechnology" is primarily concerned with the technological manufacturing processes, the specialization "Microelectronic Circuits" deals with their design and the design processes. Such complex systems as are used today can only be designed in a very structured, hierarchical approach from specification to layout, usually with extensive computer support.

The specialization deals with the design, analysis and simulation processes of analog and digital circuits and thus forms the bridge to applications (ICT, automation and systems engineering, etc.) as well as to technology and manufacturing processes. This specialization offers excellent employment opportunities in large electronics companies as well as in many medium-sized companies.

The Theoretical Electrical Engineering specialization imparts methodological know-how in order to transfer physical principles of action into innovative electrical engineering applications. This is associated with the ability to analyze and design electrotechnical systems outside of tabulated standard situations. A sound knowledge of the theory and calculation of electromagnetic fields in specific technical and biomedical application contexts is a good basis for creating sustainable innovations. It enables simulations and the necessary modeling of heterogeneous systems.

In addition to basic and in-depth knowledge, the specific courses also impart additional knowledge that enables students to work on interdisciplinary cross-sectional topics. The aim is to equip graduates with a solid foundation for the rapid pace of technological change. Students are involved in ongoing research. The focus is on the realization of innovative solutions for tasks in electromagnetic sensor technology and subsequent sensor signal processing as well as the application of modern microelectronic concepts based on superconductors or memristors.

As theory alone is not enough for us, we operate four practical laboratories so that the researched approaches can also be tested experimentally directly on site after the basic design and prototype construction.

Quantum phenomena have been known for around 120 years. For a few years now, ways have been emerging of using individual quantum objects to open up completely new areas of performance in computing technology (quantum computers), sensor technology, communication and imaging. Now that the key ideas in fundamental physics have been worked out on an international scale and demonstrated in the laboratory, the task now is to use engineering expertise to implement these concepts in application-ready systems and thus make them usable on a large scale.

The Quantum Engineering specialization provides fundamental knowledge of the physical principles of action and methodological know-how for implementation in systems, in particular for the control and selection of quantum states. Students are involved in ongoing research. One focus is on the realization of innovative solutions using modern microelectronic concepts based on superconductors - from conception and simulation to production-ready circuit design. As theory alone is not enough for us, we operate a low-temperature electronics laboratory so that the researched approaches can also be tested experimentally directly on site after the basic design and prototype construction.

Energy informatics is an interdisciplinary field in which methods from electrical engineering, computer science, cybernetics and automation are considered in order to address issues in complex energy systems. It covers the design, operation and optimization of networked energy systems and aims to achieve a secure, reliable, sustainable and efficient energy supply. The areas of application are mainly in the fields of smart grids, district supply and in modern, extensive energy supply networks with a high proportion of renewable energies.

Energy informatics is increasingly becoming a key discipline in modern energy supply issues, as mass data, communication systems and energy technology systems must be considered together.