Technical Communication B.Sc.

 

Technical Communication is an interdisciplinary course of study, that combines a humanistic and engineering education.  The course of study educates transfer specialists, who can illustrate complex, technical matters so that they are understandable, targeted towards certain groups, and suitable for certain media.

Seated at a technical university, the course of study bridges the gap between humanistic and technical-science worlds of thought.  The structure and orientation of the Technical Communication course of study is unique throughout Germany. It is strongly shaped by the technical orientation of the university and the integration of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities.  The education is made up in large part by engineering, combined with a focus on written communication and electronic media.

Two subjects are equally studied: Communication Studies and one of four technical subjects:

• Fundamentals of Computer Science
• Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering
• Fundamentals of Materials Engineering
• Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering

Communication Studies is an interdisicplinary discipline.  It combines linguistic-communicative content with psychological, sociological and, history of technology material.  Foreign languages, the training of rhetorical skills, and other key professional skills are integrated into the course of study.

The subject Fundamentals of Computer Sciences provides students with the skills to analzye, design, and implement information processing systems.  Material includes computer architecture, algorithms, and software development.

As a classical form of engineering, Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering focuses on the development, production, and operation of technical facilities and products on the basis of physical fundamentals. 

The exploration, manufacturing, and processing of materials sits at the focus of Fundamentals of Materials Engineering.  This includes from the analysis of nanostructures to the development of highly complex forming techniques to the manufacturing of large building components.

The subject Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering explores electricity as a carrier of energy and information.  Branches include energy, information, and communication technology, microelectronics, and biomedical technology.

 

Degree Content

Students have the possibility to determine career or interest oriented focal points. Practical experiences both within and outside the university as well as english language courses are also integrated into the course of study.

Detailed informationen about the course of study Technical Communication with Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering

 

Prerequisites

Personal Prerequisites
The preparedness to embark into both worlds of technology and language/communication, is a primary prerequisite to be successful in the Technical Communication course of study. Prospective students should have very good math and speaking skills, as well as very good German skills (both oral and written).  They should also be interested in working with texts and analyzing technical and communication-theoretical problems, as well as independent work and involvement.

Enrollment Prerequisites

1. Two RWTH Self Assessments:

• "Humanities, Linguistics, and Communication Studies"
• additionally, for the combination with Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering, the "Mechanical Engineering" Self Assessment
• additionally, for the combination with Fundamentals of Computer Science, the "Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, and Computer Engineering" Self Assessment
• additionally, for the combination with Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering the "Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, and Computer Engineering" Self Assessment
• additionally, for the combination with Fundamentals of Materials Engineering, the "Georesources and Materials Engineering" Self Assessment

2. Pre-internship only for "Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering"
Six week internship in accordance with the internship guidelines in the appendix of the exam regulations. Detailed information is available from the  Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Internship Office. There you can also find out, if you cannot complete the pre-internship requirement.

 

Master's Degree Prospects

After the Bachelor course of study, it is possible to study a further Master course of study in Technical Communication with the respective technical fundementals, at RWTH Aachen.  There, subject knowledge and methods are expanded, and one has the possibility to specialize on the basis of their own personal interests.

 

Career Prospects

Furthermore, it is possible to start an occupation.  Through the double qualification of linguistic communication skills and technical proficiency, a broad sprectrum of branches, career fields, and jobs are open to graduates. Possible fields include:

• Corporate Communications and Public Relations
• Software Development, Ergonomics, and UsabilityTesting
• Media and Knowledge Management
• Technical Documentation
• Specialized Journalism / Science Journalism

 

Further Information

This course of study has its own website.

 

Examination Regulations

Exam regulations regulate academic goals and prerequisites, the course of study layout, and exam procedures.  The appendix to the regulations contains the description of the modules, from which the course of study is composed.

 

Faculties

The course of study Technical Communication with Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering is offered by the Faculty of Arts and Humanities in collaboration with the faculties that offer the technical fundamentals:

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology

Faculty of Georesources and Materials Engineering

Faculty of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Natural Sciences