Sustainable Resources and Energy Supply B.Sc.

 

Would it not be frightening to think if we did not have any more raw materials – we could not produce smartphones and without energy, we could not charge them? We would literally lose contact with the outside world.

To maintain our accustomed standard of living, our resource demands must continue to be met and sockets must still provide electricity. At the same time, however, the environment cannot continue to be damaged as it has been. We need innovative strategies for energy and raw material supply – an exciting task with great responsibility for future engineers! This interdisciplinary course of study at RWTH meets these challenges: It focuses on both aspects of a sustainable, resource-conserving raw material and energy supply: environmentally compatible extraction and utilization of raw materials on the one hand and provision of sufficient quantities of energy on the other.

In order to meet humanity's need for raw materials long-term, methods for finding and mining these so-called primary resources must be improved. However, even if technology is improved, raw materials cannot be infinitely mined. Resources are limited. Thus, the importance of promoting technologies to recover raw materials is even greater. Recycling plays a key role in this effort as secondary raw materials can be used to produce new products.

A suitable raw material is at the center of energy supply. Fossil fuels, which have a bad reputation, play just as important of a role as renewable energies. Coal, gas, and oil on the one hand and biofuel, sun, wind, and water on the other – they all contribute to a basic supply. The impending withdrawal of nuclear energy from our energy supply means a good mix of consistently available resources and intermittent energy sources is needed.

Students complete courses forming the foundation of the course of study, and can then choose from three specializations beginning in the third semester. This allows them to pursue their interests and expand their technical skills:

• Mining
• Energy
• Recycling

In addition to the courses available in the specializations, students can choose from a broad selection of courses in the elective modules, which further allows them to fine-tune their own individual focus.

 

Degree Content

Aside from subjects focusing on theory, practical courses are also offered which provide an important insight into and contact with professional practice. The practical component includes a 40-day internship at a German company but it is not restricted to the German market. The curriculum is supplemented with exciting field and laboratory work in addition to research excursions to, for example, Australia, Canada, and Brazil.

Curriculum Structure

Semester
1-2	Energy and raw materials in the 21st century Mathematics: Differential and integral calculus 1 and 2, linear algebra 1 and 2, statistics Chemistry: Basic chemistry and organic chemistry Mechanics: Basic mechanics and machine components 1, 2, and 3 Technical representation and plans Fundamentals of electrical engineering, applied thermal engineering
3-6	Primary resources, raw materials, and energy law 1 and 2 Measurement, control, and regulation in raw material and energy supply Fundamentals of electrical drive technology, general machine science Introduction to MATLAB, Introduction to business administration Scientific writing and presenting
	Choice of specialization
	Mining: Geology and mineralogy Raw material extraction Raw materials management Processing methods Mineral raw materials Mine surveying	Energy: Energy Resources Energy technology Process engineering Design of experiments Thermodynamics Fluid mechanics	Recycling: Geology and mineralogy Energy raw materials Raw materials and recycling Processing methods Emission reduction Thermal waste treatment
	Elective for the chosen specialization, internship, Bachelor's thesis

Programs Abroad

Safe and clean energy and raw material supply is not just important in Germany. New strategies are being drafted and researched worldwide, which offers students in this course of study the possibility to gain experience abroad.

A stay abroad during your studies expands your general and specialist knowledge and also provides language and cultural skills. In addition, students make new personal contacts, which can have a positive impact professionally.

Students of Sustainable Resources and Energy Supply have access to fifteen European partner universities in the ERASMUS+ mobility program.

RWTH also maintains a large number of collaborations beyond Europe, for example with renowned universities in Brazil, China, Canada, or the United States.

 

Prerequisites

Personal Prerequisites

If you are interested in studying sustainable resources and energy supply, you should be interested in science and engineering. During your basic studies in the first two semesters you will intensively focus on math, particularly differential and integral equations, mechanics, and chemistry. Unlike the other engineering sciences, this course of study required advanced interest in geological relationships. RWTH Aachen offers a bridge program to intensify and complete your knowledge before beginning studies.

Enrollment Prerequisites

Proof of the Subject Specific Self Assessment
RWTH "Georesources and Materials Technology" Self Assessment

 

Media library

Do you want more perspectives? Use the diverse resources we have available! You can find our recommendations in the media library.

 

Career Prospects

Engineers with comprehensive skills and practical experience in the field of raw materials and energy engineering are highly sought after in the wake of the arising energy transition and resource scarcity, especially with their special course-specific focus on the energy mix from raw materials to security of supply.

Not only in Germany but also worldwide, a process of rethinking can be observed when it comes to raw material extraction and energy supply. Due to the shortage of raw materials and the increasing energy demand of the world's population, graduates with an interdisciplinary view of the overall supply system also have the best career prospects internationally.

The interdisciplinary education at RWTH opens up entry-level opportunities in the entire energy sector, for example in the areas of raw materials extraction, power generation, and distribution. In addition to the large energy corporations and producers of power generation plants, smaller engineering firms also offer attractive entry-level opportunities.

Furthermore, career paths in administration and politics are good options, e.g. with municipal and state governments or the federal government. Engineers with expertise in sustainable raw material and energy supply are also often called upon as specialists for risk and damage assessments.

 

Master's Degree Prospects

Following their Bachelor's program, graduates can choose between two different Master's programs. The M.Sc. Sustainable Energy Supply covers the three subject areas of raw materials, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering. The M.Sc. Mineral Resources Engineering offers specialization options in mining and recycling. Within the Master's specializations, students choose courses that allow them to follow their own interests and build an individual subject profile.

Graduates of the B.Sc. Sustainable Resources and Energy Supply are offered the opportunity to choose other degree programs beyond the subject-specific Master's programs, such as environmental engineering.

 

Module Handbook and Examination Regulations

The module handbook provides a description of all modules of a degree program and offers a comprehensive insight into the program contents.

The examination regulations are comprised of legally binding provisions on learning objectives, prerequisites for study, the course structure and processes, and examination procedures.

Regulations that generally apply to all Bachelor's and Master's degree programs, including information on language proficiency requirements, can be found in RWTH's General Examination Regulations. These general regulations are further specified and complemented by the subject-specific examination regulations.

If two examination regulations are valid for a degree program during a transition phase, the most current version shall apply to students enrolling in the program for the first time.

Please note that only the German examination regulations are legally binding.

Module Handbook
Subject-Specific Examination Regulations
RWTH's General Examination Regulations

 

Departments and Faculties

The inter-faculty course of study Sustainable Resources and Energy Supply is offered by the Division of Mining Engineering, Mineral Processing, and Recycling in the Faculty of Georesources and Materials Engineering .