This page gives an outline of the main contents of the branches of studies. The time schedules of the courses associated with the branches of studies are to be found in the valid Regulations for Diplom degree studies. For students of the year of enrolment 2003 and later, the contents of the individual courses (= modules) are displayed in the module overviews.

Course of studies Mechanical Engineering
Banch of studies General and Structural Mechanical Engineering

It is the aim of the branch of studies General and Structural Mechanical Engineering to equip students with basic mechanical engineering knowledge, e.g., the structure and principle functioning of machines, methods of systematic development, design and calculation of machines, modules and components and their efficient production using the latest CAD technology. This broad basic knowledge will help graduates start their careers in a wide range of enterprises of all sizes, typically in such fields as research and product development, manufacturing and production and operational planning in combination with product development. This branch of studies includes the specialisations listed below:

• development of drives (methods for the design and calculation of drives – including components and even complex modules)
• product development / CAD (development of products and their efficient production using CAD and CAE tools)
• materials handling equipment and construction equipment (machines for lifting, conveying and storing goods, for the erection of buildings and also the communication of knowledge for the design of in-house transport and logistic processes)
• agricultural machines (fundamentals of mobile machines, machining and processing of biologically active substances, basic knowledge about tractors, harvesting equipment, machines used in livestock breeding, the use of electronics for controlling mobile and stationary process equipment)
• processing machines (specialised equipment, e. g. for the foodstuffs and semi-luxury industry, the paper and packaging industry, the polygraphic and printing industry, wood-processing machines, the glass and ceramics industry, textile and leather processing machines, pharmacy, medical equipment, recycling technology)

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Course of studies Mechanical Engineering
Branch of studies Automotive and Rail Vehicle Engineering  

The ever-increasing mobility demands results in a need for vehicles which fulfil the high expectations made on their practical value, their economic efficiency and their environmental performance. Highly qualified engineers are sought by development, design, calculation and test departments of vehicle and component manufacturers and transportation companies. Therefore, the branch of studies Automotive and Rail Vehicle Engineering aims at equipping their students with the specialised know-how and the methods in the field of vehicle engineering building on sound mathematical, natural-scientific and mechanical fundamentals. This knowledge includes in particular the contents of the compulsory subjects: measurement and automation engineering, machine dynamics, drive technology, structural materials, fluid mechanics and machine design.   
In-depth specialisations are available in the fields automotive engineering, combustion engines, mechatronic systems, and for the special needs of rail-vehicle engineering including track control, brakes, drives and vehicle dynamics.
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Course of studies Mechanical Engineering
Branch of studies Lightweight Construction

The branch of studies Lightweight Construction takes particular account of this rapidly developing engineering discipline in the area of transport technology and also the manufacturing of machinery and plants. What qualifies graduates of this branch is their diversified basic knowledge together with specialised application-oriented know-how. The Lightweight Construction education focuses on:

• load-oriented design and dimensioning of innovative products and proofs of their reliability,
• planning and designing with man-made materials and fibre-reinforced composite materials using computer-aided simulation methods, optimisation of structures,
• utilisation of plastics and fibre-reinforced plastics technologies, utilisation of manufacturing and joining techniques for lightweight structures.

Thanks to the interdisciplinary know-how and the well-trained team competence that students are equipped with for the realisation of innovative concepts into competitive products, our graduates are primarily employed in research and development and also as technical managers in nearly all commercial fields.
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Course of studies Mechanical Engineering
Branch of studies Technical Design

Cross-disciplinary communication between planning, design, process and production planning and also marketing is expected from design engineers in manufacturing enterprises. Graduates of the branch of studies Technical Design are trained to develop the necessary skills to design technical products right down the line. Higher-division studies aim to communicate methods which can be employed in a variety of environments and independently of a specific industry. Project work is a major focus in the students' curriculum. Project topics come from a vast number of branches, which allows students to test and strengthen the learned methods from different angles.
Graduates will work in small, medium-sized and large enterprises. A product designer may as well work as a freelance developer.
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Course of studies Mechanical Engineering
Branch of studies Applied Mechanics

In the branch of studies Applied Mechanics, students are trained to handle solid-state and fluid mechanics tasks as developers, calculation and test engineers. In many industries and economic branches and also research institutions, graduates of this qualification are sought after to test the static and dynamic behaviour of structures, to examine the flow kinetics in turbomachines, aircraft, vehicles and buildings, technically and economically justified lightweight constructions and also to forecast the service life of component parts. Graduates may be employed in all branches of the machine and vehicle construction industry.
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Course of studies Mechanical Engineering
Branch of studies Aerospace Engineering 

The branch of studies Aerospace Engineering is designed to qualify graduates as developers, calculation and test engineers who are able to solve such tasks as calculation, planning, dimensioning, production and testing of modules and systems for aircraft and space vehicles and also the supplying industry. These tasks include engines and carrier systems, aerospace materials, maintenance, position control for spacecraft, navigation and satellite communication, supersonic aerodynamics and thermodynamics for drive mechanisms. The subject-related basic studies comprise solid-state and fluid mechanics, aerodynamics and flight mechanics as well as thermodynamics. Moreover, graduates of this branch of studies acquire knowledge and skills which enable them to examine the reliability of structures, technically and economically justified lightweight constructions and also to forecast the service life of component parts.
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Course of studies Mechanical Engineering
Branch of studies Production Engineering

The branch of studies Production Engineering offers graduate and postgraduate studies in the areas design and operation of industrial enterprises thereby putting scientific and engineering know-how into practice. The major foci of training and research are:

• manufacturing processes and tools: development and utilisation of all manufacturing processes, combinations thereof, hybrid processes, micro-manufacturing processes, manufacturing metrology
• machine tools and control technology: development and employment of machine tools and production means, machine-tool control and automation and also machine metrology
• process design, factory planning and factory management: development, realisation and operation of parts production and assembly, automation of the manufacturing process, quality assurance, production logistics, production organisation, plant development, plant repair and maintenance, factory ecology, disposal logistics.

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Course of studies Mechanical Engineering
Branch of studies Power Engineering

The curriculum at the branch of studies Power Engineering is designed to qualify their students for the design, construction, planning and management of all sub-areas of thermal energy conversion. The major potential areas of activity (conventional power stations, municipal energy suppliers, refrigeration and cryoengineering enterprises, manufacturers of thermal machinery, plants which use regenerative energy sources) demand on the one hand a wide range of basic skills, which are communicated by extending the contents of the basic courses given during lower-division studies and also by introducing students to subject-related applications. On the other hand, the complex in-depth modules of the higher-division studies offer practice-oriented knowledge in in-depth subjects such as:

• energy machines , refrigeration and plant technology, nuclear power engineering, heat technology, thermodynamics and heat transfer.

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Course of studies Mechanical Engineering
Branch of studies Work Design

The graduates of the branch Work Design are trained to become mediators between man and machine. They learn how to develop technical products in accordance with ergonomic design principles, how to analyse and assess work situations and to design work systems. The courses are designed to offer basic human-engineering competencies and at the same time special knowledge about the user-friendly design of technical systems, current management concepts in enterprises and the design and planning of structure and flow organisation. Graduates may start their careers in all branches of the engineering industry.
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Course of studies Mechanical Engineering
Branch of studies HVAC Systems / Building Energy Systems

The branch of studies Building Energy Systems aims to train graduate engineers for research, development, planning, management and service tasks in enterprises that work in the fields of heating, air climate, sanitary, gas engineering and provides also postgraduate qualification in these fields.
Starting with the traditional HVAC techniques and procedures, students will particularly go into the holistic approach to the system 'plants – buildings – people'. Other central issues are plant optimisation, the consideration of heat-physiological and hygienic problems and also ecological aspects (the conservation of energy and pollution control) and the development of facility management. The compulsory subjects are completed by specialised in-depth courses that are organised three required elective key study areas.
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Course of studies Mechanical Engineering
Branch of studies Textile and Clothing Technology

The branch of study Textile and Clothing Technology offers basic courses in traditional textile and clothing engineering (textile fibres, textile testing, processes and machines of the textile and clothing technology, macromolecular and textile chemistry, quality assurance) and future-oriented specialised knowledge for the manufacturing and use of high-tech textiles for new applications, e.g.,  in mechanical engineering, civil engineering, vehicle and aircraft construction, lightweight construction and in the areas of medical and protective and safety textiles. The making-up process as a textile-specific assembly technology, which is supported by CAD technology, is ever more widely used. Moreover, specific recycling knowledge is communicated. Students are equipped with the skills needed to take over executive functions both in businesses in the textile, clothing, making-up and chemical fibres industries, in enterprises manufacturing textile and making-up machines, but also – and increasingly – in the downline industries which further process in particular technical textiles. The graduate's fields of activity are in research and development, technical management and marketing.
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Course of studies Mechanical Engineering
Branch of studies Processing Technology

The Processing Technology comprises the analysis, synthesis and industrial realisation of material-processing techniques. Its aim is the development and optimisation of technological processes, processing machines and plants for the fabrication, packaging and recycling / disposal of consumer products. Students will develop skills to become able to use methods of the systematic process analysis, process development and optimisation for complex tasks of processing technology. The key fields of study are: 

• processing plants and packaging technology: applicable knowledge and skills for project work and project management (capital investment) and for the operational behaviour of processing plants; extensive basic knowledge about the utilisation of the most different packaging materials and means used in the packaging industry and the design of packaging processes including their technical realisation.

• disposal / recycling engineering: broad basic knowledge of  the recycling of different valuable secondary materials in the disposal and recovery industry and the design of recycling processes including their technical realisation; conceptualisation and optimisation of the processes of  valuable secondary materials recycling thereby taking account of ecological criteria; broad knowledge of the relevant environmental regulations.

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Course of studies Process Engineering
Branch of studies Process Engineering

Process Engineering comprises modelling, design and optimisation of the processes and methods in which materials in terms of their kind, properties and composition are changed by physical, chemical and also biological treatment. Starting from the well-developed basis of mathematical, scientific and engineering courses, a specific basic knowledge is offered which concentrates on the essential mechanical, thermal and chemical processes. The interaction of process units is the subject of plant engineering, systems process engineering, measurement technology and automation engineering. During the final stage of their studies, students may choose two of four key specialisation areas (process and plant engineering, environmental process engineering, process automation engineering, product development) to acquire specialised know-how.
Graduates of this branch of studies may not only work in the traditional branches, like chemical and pharmaceutical industry, but also in the foodstuffs industry, in apparatus and process plant construction as well as in authorities and associations.
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Course of studies Process Engineering
Branch of studies Processing Technology

The Processing Technology comprises the analysis, synthesis and industrial realisation of material-processing techniques. Its aim is the development and optimisation of technological processes, processing machines and plants for the fabrication, packaging and recycling / disposal of consumer products. Students will develop skills to become able to use methods of the systematic process analysis, process development and optimisation for complex tasks of processing technology. The key fields of study are: 

• processing plants and packaging technology: applicable knowledge and skills for project work and project management (capital investment) and for the operational behaviour of processing plants; extensive basic knowledge about the utilisation of the most different packaging materials and means used in the packaging industry and the design of packaging processes including their technical realisation.

• disposal / recycling engineering: broad basic knowledge of  the recycling of different valuable secondary materials in the disposal and recovery industry and the design of recycling processes including their technical realisation; conceptualisation and optimisation of the processes of  valuable secondary materials recycling thereby taking account of ecological criteria; broad knowledge of the relevant environmental regulations.

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Course of studies Process Engineering
Branch of studies Bio Process Engineering

Bio Process Engineering is a subordinate area of Biotechnology and Process Engineering. That is why graduated engineers of this qualification are working at the interface between engineering and biology. Building on a strong engineering and scientific foundation, the specialised courses communicate essential elements of modern biology, biochemistry and genetic engineering and also process-engineering skills, in particular as regards the handling of microorganisms and other biological systems (e.g.,  plant and animal cells). One of the major foci of this branch are bio-engineering processes as the preferred solution for product and production ecology and – as a result – sustained business.
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Course of studies Process Engineering
Branch of studies Foodstuff Engineering

Building on the essential basic knowledge communicated during lower-division studies, students of the branch Foodstuff Engineering are being qualified for working in the wide field of the foodstuff and nutrition  industry. The combination of important areas of the engineering sciences with a strong focus on natural sciences during higher-division studies equips foodstuff engineers with skills which allow them to handle biological systems which are constantly changing during machining and processing. A successful career as foodstuff engineer is the sum of numerous subject-related essential skills, such as foodstuff process engineering, microbiology, physics and chemistry of agricultural raw materials, intermediary products and machined and processed foodstuffs and also aspects of machine, plant and automation engineering. The additional courses offered comprise business management and legal aspects together with quality management, foodstuff safety and human nutrition. The new schedule of studies is organised such that students may choose between two orientations depending on their personal skills and likings: there is the process engineering direction and the orientation towards natural sciences. The foodstuff and semi-luxury industry, which is the third largest industry in Germany, many economic, planning and scientific institutions, but also the packaging industry and the foodstuff machinery and plant manufacturing enterprises offer a wide variety of potential careers for the graduates of this branch of studies.
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Course of studies Process Engineering
Branch of studies Paper Engineering

Studying Paper Engineering means going into the necessary mathematical, natural scientific and engineering foundations, acquiring the relevant skills, understanding the methods.
The main fields of activity of the paper engineer are in the production, research, development and management of the industrial branches which fabricate and process cellulose, wood material and waste paper, paper and cardboard. These branches are among the fast growing global high-tech industries. As paper engineers are able to put the acquired knowledge of natural sciences and engineering efficiently into practice, they are expected to prepare and organise the best conditions for production flows and the fabrication of goods which fulfil the quality requirements of the processing industry and consumers. Considering economic aspects, priorities are supposed to be given to the conservation of energy and raw materials, environmental protection and industrial engineering and the maximum use of waste paper. Thanks to their complex education and training with emphasis on key issues, such as physical and chemical process engineering, in the material, machinery and plant technology, engineers graduating in the branch Paper Engineering may start their careers in the cellulose and paper industry, in the supplying industries (Machinery Construction, Chemistry, Machine clothing), in the downline processing industries (e.g., print cardboard or corrugated cardboard industry) and also in national and international authorities and in consulting firms.
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Course of studies Process Engineering
Branch of studies Wood and Wood Fibre Materials Engineering

The branch of studies Wood and Wood Fibre Materials Engineering at the Technische Universität Dresden is unique in Germany. This programme is concerned with equipping students with a broad basic knowledge of the anatomic, physical and chemical properties of wood and wood materials and the interaction of their characteristics during the fabrication and machining and processing of wood and wood materials. This basic knowledge is the prerequisite to bring forward the development of materials and products made of wood and wood materials, the development of new technological processes for the fabrication of new materials and products and the development of machines and plants with due consideration of material interactions ecologically, economically and in terms of innovation. Graduates of this branch of studies will mainly work in executive positions in research, development, production, management and marketing, in positions that are concerned with the design, manufacturing, finishing, use and recycling of products made of wood and wood materials and the relevant machinery, including measurement and automation technology. 
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Course of studies Materials Science
Branch of studies Structural Materials

On a sound materials science basis, it is the aim of the branch of studies Structural Materials to teach students the original interactions between the structure and the properties of materials which are mainly used in mechanical and plant engineering and in vehicle manufacturing. Key issues are the mechanical properties in combination with corrosive and thermal stress and the exposure to tear. The programme is designed and organised such that students can acquire the particular skills and knowledge, which are necessary for the load-oriented development and selection of materials, and to find a wide field of potential activities in the fields just stated.


Course of studies Materials Science
Branch of studies Functional Materials

It is the aim of the branch of studies Functional Materials to teach students the original interactions between the structure, the fabric and the properties of materials with special physical features on the basis of material science and solid-state physics. Key areas of this programme are conductors, semiconductors and insulating materials, ferroelectric materials, magnetic materials, supraconductors including the technologies that are necessary for their fabrication and processing.


Course of studies Materials Science
Branch of studies Materials Science

It is the aim of the branch of studies Materials Science to equip students with the scientific foundation of Materials Science with special emphasis on generally valid theoretical principles. This is reflected in the key issues of the courses, such as the structural and property relations between heterogeneous solids and biomaterials; real structure of solids, boundaries and thin films; non-linear phenomena and structure formation and biomolecular materials and nano-structured materials.
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