Transport Engineering and Mobility B.Sc.

 

How can developments in vehicle construction enable new transport concepts? How can transport networks be logically developed, expanded, relieved, and ecologically planned? How can factors like vehicles and traffic routes be managed in a way, that need-oriented and smooth traffic progress is possible? How does human behavior in transportation have to be considered in order to avoid traffic jams or to optimize safety strategies? When the interaction of technical possibilities, infrastructure, and human behavior is supposed to be optimized, transport engineers are called upon for their interdisciplinary perspective.

At RWTH students studying Transport Engineering and Mobility acquire this interdisciplinary expertise by studying the perspectives of three engineering disciplines: civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and automotive engineering. The extraordinary breadth allows them to consider not only aspects of infrastructure development and automotive engineering but also the economic framework conditions of their concepts.

No specializations are offered during the Bachelor's program in order to support this broad training. However, starting in the fifth semester, it is possible to choose two of seven elective modules and thus get an initial glance as specializations. In the Master's course of study students can expand on one of the five focuses:

• The specialization in transportation planning and infrastructure teaches skills in planning, design, and organization of streets, tunnels, rails, waterways, and aviation.
• Railway Systems Engineering and "Bahnsystemingenieur" both focus on the futher development of railway engineering. Students work with rail vehicles, rail transportation systems, and infrastructure developments in rail transportation.
• The focus road and motor vehicles focuses on the interplay of traffic routes and vehicles. Students work on the technology of motor and utility vehicles and the configuration of road traffic installations.
• Airport and aviation targets innovations in aeronautical engineering and airport research.

 

Degree Content

Curriculum

Mathematics and Natural Science Fundamentals	Mathematics I & II, Applied Statistics
General Engineering and Civil Engineering-specific Fundamentals	Mechanics I & II, Dynamics, Hydromechanics I & II, Construction Materials Science I & II, Geotechnology I, Geodesy, Construction Computer Science, CAD, Project Management I, Law of Building Contracts I, Fundamentals and Methods of Sustainability Assessment
Civil Engineering and Transport Planning	Introduction to Transport Engineering, Planning Methodology, Street Planning I, Building Technology for Transport Facilities I, Transportation Planning I, Urban and Regional Planning I, Spatial Development and Transport Policy, Public Transportation Management and Traffic Systems Management, Railroad Industry I & II, Fundamentals of Transport, Transport in the field, Planning and Construction of Airports I Road Engineering Internship, Urban Engineering Internship, Railroad Safety Internship or Engineer Meets User
Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Business and Economics	Electrical Engineering and Electronics,Sound Protection Fundamentals, Battery Storage Systems Technology, Machine Design I & II, Introduction to Business Administration, Introduction to Operations Research
Elective Modules 2 from 7	Airplane Construction I, Automotive Engineering I, Fundamentals of Rail Vehicle Technology, Operations Research I, Water Infrastructure, Life Cycle Assessment
Completion of Studies	Bachelor's thesis

The detailed course of study layout is regularly published as addendum to the respective current exam regulations. You can find the link to the exam regulations at the bottom of this website.

Internships

The course of study contains an internship in a selected specialization of choice at an RWTH institute – in either the field railroad safety technology, road engineering, urban engineering or Engineer Meets User.

Programs Abroad

Mobility is becoming the global motor for economic development and personal evolvement. International experience for budding transport engineers is becoming increasingly important and is often a deciding factor for one's career path. Studies or internships abroad teach not only advanced technical knowledge but also cutural and communication skills.

The Faculty of Civil Engineering offers partnership programs with outstanding European and non-European universities to students even in their Bachelor's studies. Study opportunities are offered worldwide in addition to the EU mobility program ERASMUS+. The Faculty's membership in various research associations makes it possible to complete course components, final projects, and parts of the industry institute in one of many international programs.

RWTH students profit not only from the Faculty's exchange programs but also from the University's strategic partnerships with international universities. They can, for example, complete short stays at one of the IDEA League universities while completing a term paper. The UROP Abroad program, the only one of its kind in Germay, offers the possibility to participate in research projects at international universities during Bachelor studies. These stays abroad are partially funded by RWTH-specific funding.

All of RWTH's partnerships programs are listed on the study abroad pages. Subject-specific details are available from the Faculty of Civil Engineering International Office.

 

Prerequisites

Personal Prerequisites

These studies require individuals to have a bread spectrum of interests with an aptitude for technical thinking. In addition to the classic civil engineering subjects, students should be interested in basic questions in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and business and economics. Good math and physics skills build the basis of these perspectives. RWTH Aachen offers a bridge course, if you would like to intensify or refresh the material you learned in school.

Enrollment Prerequisite

When enrolling students must submit proof that they took the RWTH "Civil Engineering" Self Assessment. This is not required when applying.

 

Decision Aids

Engineers from the field of mobility and transport specialize right from the beginning. Time can be more effectively used to acquire the necessary breadth, that a pure civil engineering or mechanical engineering cannot obtain during studies.

Strong emphasis is placed on infrastructure in civil engineering studies, and on vehicles themselves in mechanical engineering.

School students can gather initial insight by attending lectures, going to the Schüleruni, or participating in sample studies.

 

Career Prospects

Engineers with expertise in transport and mobility are multidisciplinarily trained professionals, who are able to optimize the interaction of transport carriers and transport infrastructure with regards to technical, economic, and social aspects. As a result, a variety of fields are open to them.

RWTH graduates, for example, work in public administration optimizing transport processes. The support the entire organizations – from the political decision to budgeting to the operation of transport systems. Furthermore, they also work in consulting and engineering offices, in the automotive industry, and transport companies.

If they specialize in a certain transport system, they may work as a rail system engineering or work in aviation at a large airport. The logistics sector also offers ideal areas of application for mobility specialists' typical interdisciplinary perspective.

 

Master's Degree Prospects

After completing the Bachelor's course of study, RWTH Aachen offers students a consecutive Master's in Transport Engineering and Mobility with a choice of specialization offered in the fields of transport planning and infrastructure, rail systems engineering, street and motor vehicles, or airport and aviation.

In addition, a specialization in railway systems engineering is now being offered as an English-language option.

In every one of these fields of study, students are able to acquire a very individualized skills profile. A broad palet of elective modules allows for subject combinations that cater to personal interests and career aspirations.

A change in degree program is also possible with some adjustments during the Bachelor's program and by potentially fulfilling additional requirements.

 

Examination Regulations

Regulations that apply for all Bachelor and Master courses of study as well as detailed information about the necessary documentation of required language skills can be found in RWTH’s Comprehensive Examination Regulation. Examination regulations are only published in German as they are legally binding.

Subject Specific Exam Regulations regulate academic goals, 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.

 

Faculty

The Bachelor course of study in Transport Engineering and Mobility is offered by the Faculty of Civil Engineering.