Course of study Vehicle Technology (Bachelor)

Increasing general demands as well as environmental and safety-related aspects together pose new challenges for Vehicle Technology. This is true for the public as well as the personal short- and long-distance traffic. Accordingly, the demands on the engineers who develop and manufacture these systems are challenging. Not only a sound fundamental knowledge in Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering is necessary but also distinct specialized knowledge and interdisciplinary thinking. For example, to be prepared for the increasing internationalization of economic relations, the engineer of the future must have social, personal and methodical expertise. The course of study Vehicle Technology at the Fachhochschule Dortmund meets these diverse demands.

Content of study subjects

Content wise, the course of study imparts a well-founded and practically relevant fundamental training in Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering and electronics as well as a distinct professional competence in applications in the field of Vehicle Technology. By choosing the appropriate combination of subjects, students can deepen their knowledge in the major fields of study

• Vehicle Development
• Power Engines

The close interaction with the program ‘Vehicle Electronics', offered by the department for Information and Electrical Engineering of the Fachhochschule Dortmund, allows for this for modern vehicle systems typical and in the future increasing cross linking of Mechanical Engineering and Vehicle Construction with Electrical Engineering and Electronics.

Course of Studies

See graphic: Structure of the Bachelor course of studies "Vehicle Technology"

In the courses of studies Vehicle Technology and Vehicle Electronics, the basic modules offered in the first two semesters in the fields of natural sciences (mathematics, physics and chemistry), mechanics, electrical engineering and information technology are almost identical (see graphic 1). Due to these similar basic modules, a student can switch between the courses of studies "Vehicle Technology" and ""Vehicle Electronics" during this part of the studies, that could also be considered as orientation phase, without losing any time. Differentiations, that account for the specifics of the respective courses of study, start in the 3rd semester. Aside from obtaining the basic fundamental knowledge, references to the later course specialization are established as early as possible (specialized basics).

Starting in the 4th semester, priority is given to required courses in the fields vehicle and drive technology that are complemented with an elective module in the 5th semester, which enables the student to build a personal profile by the individual choice of activities or to set a special subject in completing a student research project (work in engineering).

A 10-week industrial project is conducted in the 6th semester, which is supposed to facilitate personal training in the field of social and communicative competence and also to enable the student to gain insights into industrial work methods. Subsequently, the bachelor thesis is conducted e.g. in cooperation with the vehicle or supplying industry or also in the laboratories of Vehicle or Drive Technology at the Fachhochschule Dortmund. In addition, from the first semester on, key competencies, e.g. quality and project management, technical English, etc. are procured alongside the special studies.

The usual course duration is 6 semester and includes an engineering-based 10 week long practical training, which is overseen by the college (industrial project). The industrial project is usually served in the 6th semester.

The course of studies Vehicle Technology at the Fachhochschule Dortmund is practice-oriented, which is demonstrated by the multitude of practical courses and training in addition to the lectures. The examples for these courses are taken directly from the industry. The following in part new laboratories with modern machinery and equipment are for example available for a practice-oriented education:

• CAE/CFD-Laboratory
• Laboratory for production and materials technology
• Labor for vehicle construction and vehicle simulation
• Laboratory for mechanics/acoustics
• Laboratory for control and feedback control systems
• Labor for technology and synthetic materials
• Laboratory for combustion engines
• Laboratories for vehicle electronics

The course of studies concludes with the bachelor exam and the academical degree of 'Bachelor of Engineering' ('B.Eng.') will be awarded.

Admission Requirements

Those who wish to study at the Fachhochschule Dortmund must fulfill the entry requirements. Thereby two things have to be observed: The qualification and the special registration requirements.

Qualification

The qualification for the study at technical colleges is verified by the advanced technical certificate (Zeugnis der Fachhochschulreife) or an equivalent accredited professional qualification. Examples:

• Certificate of general qualification for university entrance - "Abitur"
• Advanced technical certificate of a specialized secondary school
• Advanced technical certificate of a three year higher vocational school (Zeugnis der Fachhochschulreife der dreijährigen höheren Berufsfachschule)

Following certificates qualify only in conjunction with the proof of a practical job:

• Leaving certificate 11th grade of a secondary school in North Rhine-Westphalia, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saarland and Lower Saxony (academic part of the advanced technical college entrance qualification) in conjunction with a completed at least 2-year apprenticeship (practical part of the advanced technical college entrance qualification)
• Leaving certificate 12th grade of a secondary school (academic part of the advanced technical college entrance qualification) in conjunction with a completed apprenticeship or a 1-year guided internship (practical part of the advanced technical college entrance qualification).
• The diploma of a 2-year vocational school (academic part of the advanced technical college entrance qualification) in conjunction with the requirements listed on the diploma (practical part of the advanced technical college entrance qualification).

In any case, the qualification notation in the certificate is crucial

German and foreign applicants for a college place who have obtained their college entrance qualification at a non-German speaking facility must demonstrate their German language skills , e.g. by passing the DHS - 2-language test or by passing the test 'Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache' (TestDaF) with at least 16 points. Other certifications can be verified and accredited if applicable by the International Office. Please contact the International Office, Sonnenstr. 100, Raum D 002, 44139 Dortmund, E-Mail: lopin@fhdortmund. de. For questions regarding the dates of the TestDaF- preparatory classes and tests, please also contact the International Office, Sonnenstr. 100, Raum D 002, 44139 Dortmund, E-Mail: kornmann@fh-dortmund.de.

Special Registration Requirements

• Internship

Applicants for a college place with a diploma of the technical secondary school specialization Mechanical Engineering do not need another internship. Applicants for a college place who obtained their college entrance qualification in a different way must submit proof of a 3-month internship. The proof of the internship must be submitted no later than the beginning of the lecture period of the 4th semester.
In detail, the following policies are in effect:

The internship is omitted in case the 1-year guided internship or the apprenticeship complies with the Mechanical Engineering Course.

The pre-study internship (12 weeks) includes alternatively the fields a or b:

Field a)

• Software-Engineering (properties and programming of microprocessor systems as well as documentation of software)
  

and

• Design and assembling of electronic circuits (circuit design and documentation, measuring, testing, defect analysis, communications technology, control and feedback control systems)
  

or

• Assembling and testing of audio and video equipment and equipment for control and feedback control systems)

Field b)

• Toolmaking, fixture construction and gauge design, assembly of machines, devices and equipment, quality control (measuring and testing in the laboratory as well as the production line), structure of business and organization of work procedures.

The appointee of the department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering or the department of Mechanical Engineering at the Fachhochschule Dortmund is responsible for

approval of practical jobs as pre-study internship. The appointee is also responsible for accrediting appropriate apprenticeships and jobs as internship.

Application and Admission

The allocation of college places is carried out by the Fachhochschule Dortmund. There are no admissions limitations.

The application for admission must be received by the Fachhochschule Dortmund at the latest on July 15th for the following winter semester. Late applications can only be considered depending on the available study places. German citizens, foreign citizens of a member state of the European Union and education residents (education residents are foreign nationals as well as stateless persons, who aquired a German university-entrance diploma) should address their application to the Fachhochschule Dortmund, Studienbüro, Sonnenstr. 96, 44139 Dortmund. The appropriate application forms are available from the middle of May directly from the Fachhochschule Dortmund, Studienbüro, Sonnenstr. 96, 44139 Dortmund, Tel.: (02 31) 91 12 - 390, Fax (02 31) 91 12 - 273, E-Mail: studienbuero@fh-dortmund.de or you can apply online at www.fh-dortmund.de between the end of May and the application deadline of July 15th.

All other foreign applicants should please contact the International Office of the Fachhochschule Dortmund, Sonnenstr. 100, Raum D 002, Tel. (0231) 91 12-266, E-Mail: lopin@fh-dortmund.de for consultation. Please keep in mind that beginning with the winter semester 2008/ 09, applications for bachelor study courses from this group of applicants will be processed exclusively by uni-assist (certification office for foreign student applicants) - www.uni-assist.de. An information leaflet about the application procedure can be obtained from the international office.

Tuition Fees

The Fachhochschule Dortmund charges tuition fees in the amount of 500 EUR per semester in addition to the semester fee of 196.66 EUR (as at summer semester 2008).

Further details of the study program

In case further information about the organization, course and the choice of the study course are required, you can attend events of the department during an orientation phase which is limited in time. Here you can familiarize yourself with everyday life at the college and have the opportunity to find answers to your open questions by talking to your future fellow students and instructors on the spot. If you are interested, please contact the student advisory service.

Student advisor

For all further questions regarding the course of studies, please feel free to contact the student advisor, who will be happy to help you:

Herr Prof. Dr. Hilger

Advising hours: Thursdays, 13.00 - 14.00 pm
and per email appointment
Sonnenstraße 96, Raum F 202
44139 Dortmund
Tel.: (0231) 9112 - 375
E-Mail: hilger@fh-dortmund.de

Office

Sonnenstr. 96, Raum B 001
44139 Dortmund
Tel.: (0231) 9112 . 175
E-Mail: sekretariat.fb5@fh-dortmund.de General student advisor

The general student advisor is happy to help you with all questions in regards to your choice of study subjects, entry requirements, etc.:

Frau Katja Hensel

Advising hours: Mo., Mi., Fr. von 9-12:00, Di. 13.15-17:00 or by appointment
Sonnenstraße 96, Raum A 017
44139 Dortmund
Tel.: (0231) 9112 - 245
E-Mail: katja.hensel@fh-dortmund.de