Programme Structure

The Master of Hydro Science and Engineering at TU Dresden is a full time programme in English. The degree lasts 2 academic years and carries 120 credits in the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System. The combination of science and engineering content equips graduates to analyse, design and manage water systems worldwide

Programme Structure at a Glance

Phase	Semester	Workload	Description
Basic Study	1st	30 credits	Shared foundation in hydro sciences and discipline-specific bridging modules
Advanced Electives	2nd & 3rd	60 credits	Free choice of modules, including one mandatory 10 credit Study Project
Master Thesis	4th	120 credits	Independent research and public defence

Foundation Semester (1st Semester)

The first semester builds a shared foundation in hydro sciences and helps align the academic backgrounds of students. All students are required to complete 30 credits, which are split into:

2 compulsory modules (10 credits total)
4 additional modules (20 credits) chosen from two thematic areas

Mandatory for everyone (10 credits)

These two modules are compulsory for all students and provide a shared starting point in the programme:

Statistics (5 credits)
Climatology and Hydrology (5 credits)

Thematic Areas (20 credits)

Students must then select 2 modules from each of the two categories below, depending on their academic background:

For students with a natural science background (e.g. biology, chemistry, geology):
They are encouraged to gain technical insight through engineering oriented modules:

Hydromechanics (5 credits)
Hydraulic Engineering (5 credits)
Geodesy (5 credits)

For students with an engineering background (e.g. civil or environmental engineering):
They are encouraged to deepen their natural science understanding:

Ecology (5 credits)
Hydrochemistry (5 credits)
Soils (5 credits)

Every student must choose exactly 2 modules from each group, for a total of 4 modules and 20 credits. It is not permitted to select 3 from one group and only 1 from the other.

This structure helps build a well rounded knowledge base in both natural and engineering sciences and prepares all students equally for the elective phases that follow.

Advanced Semesters (2nd and 3rd Semester)

In the second and third semesters, students are expected to deepen their expertise and shape the academic profile that best suits their interests and career goals. These semesters are structured with flexibility, but they still follow clear academic requirements.

Each student must complete:

1 compulsory Study Project (10 credits)
Elective modules totalling at least 50 credits

The elective catalogue currently offers 22 modules, covering diverse topics such as climate change, flood risk, urban water, water quality, and groundwater management and much more. Most modules are worth 5 or 10 credits, and they are distributed across both summer and winter terms. The following is a list of elective modules currently available in the programme. More detailed descriptions can be found in the Module Compendium (Modulhandbuch)

Module Number	Module Name	Module Format and Workload L/T/S/P/E/W/-PR/EX	Credits
MWW26	Intergriertes Wasser-ressourcen- management (IWRM I)	3/0/0/0/0/0-0/1	5
MWW27	Intergriertes Wasser-ressourcen-management (IWRM II)	0/2/0/0/1,5/0-0/2	5
MHSE 10	International Water Issues	0/0/3/0/0/0-0/2	5
MHSE 11	Circular Economy	2/1/0/0/0/0-0/2	5
MHSE 12	Watershed Management I	2/1/0/0/0/0-0/1	5
MHSE 33	Urban Water Management	3/0/0/1/0/0-0/1	5
MHSE 14	Flood Risk Management I	2/3/0/0/4,2/0-0/3	10
MHSE 16	Aquatic Ecology and Ecotoxicology		5
MHSE 17	Climate Change	2/0/2/0/0/0-0/2	5
MHYWI05	Statistical Learning for Earth System Sciences	2/1/0/0/0/0 0/1	5
MHSE 18	Soil Water	2/1/0/1/0/0-0/2	5
MHSE 29	Ground Water	2/2/0/0/0/0-0/1	5
MHSE 20	Hydrodynamics	1/1/0/2/0/0-0/1	5
MHSE 21	Watershed Management II	1/0/0/2/0/0-0/1	5
MHSE 34	Modelling of Wastewater Systems	2/0/0/2/0/0-0/1	5
MHSE 23	Flood Risk Management II	2/0/0/0/0/6-0/3	10
MHSE 37	Water Quality and Water Treatment	2/0/0/2/0/0-1/1	5
MHSE 25	Drinking Water Supply	3/1/0/0/0,5/0-0/1	5
MHSE 27	Climate Systems and Climate Modelling	3/1/0/0/0/0-0/1	5
MHSE 36	Internship Hydrosciences (possible Institutions)	3 weeks	5
MHYWI02	Numerical Methods for Hydrosciences	2/2/0/0/0/0-0/1	5
FOMT 2.3B	Communication and Conflict Management	2/0/1/1/0/0-0/2	5

Access to German-Language Master’s Courses

According to the German Higher Education Law, TU Dresden’s and HSE examination and study regulations, students of the Hydro Science and Engineering Master’s programme may take and have recognised modules from other Master’s programmes at TU Dresden. These courses can be officially credited towards the HSE degree after confirmation by the hydroscience examination office, provided they are equivalent in content and workload. This opportunity is open to all students and can be particularly rewarding for those with sufficient German language proficiency, as it allows participation in the broad range of German-language Master’s courses offered at the university. Both German and international students can benefit from this flexibility to expand their academic profile through subjects from programmes such as Wasserwirtschaft, Hydrologie, Hydrobiologie or Abfallwirtschaft und Altlasten.

Understanding Module Format and Workload

Each module in the programme is described using a standard code that shows how the course is taught and assessed. This format helps students understand the structure of each module at a glance.

Teaching format

The code uses the following order:

L/T/S/P/E/W    Lecture/Tutorial/Seminar/Practical training/Excursion/Workshop
EX                  Number of Examinations
PR                  Number of preparatory requirements to the exam

A teaching unit usually takes 90 minutes accounting for 2 hours per week per semester (2 SWS). For example the code 2/1/0/0/0/0 is read: for one semester the student has to attend 1 lecture of 90 minutes per week and 1 tutorial of 90 minutes every two weeks

For example: MHSE 25 – Drinking Water Supply

Module code:
3 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0.5 / 0 – 0 / 1
Credits: 5 ECTS

Teaching Format Breakdown (L / T / S / P / E / W):

3 Lectures (L): 3 SWS = 135 minutes (2 hours and 15 minutes) of lectures per week
1 Tutorial (T): 1 SWS = 45 minutes of tutorial per week
0 Seminars (S): No seminar sessions
0 Practical training (P): No laboratory or practical sessions
0.5 Excursion (E): One half-day excursion during the semester
0 Workshops (W): No workshops

Assessment Format (PR / EX):

0 Preparatory Requirements (PR): No compulsory assignments or submissions required before the exam
1 Examination Element (EX): One graded exam (written), which determines the module grade

Choosing your electives : a guide

Identify your interests
Consider which themes or water sectors you are most drawn to. Common examples include Urban Water Management, Flood Risk Management, Groundwater Resources, and Climate Adaptation.
Explore the example profiles
The programme propose 4 example profiles that combine modules into coherent thematic bundles:
- Integrated Water Resources Management and Climate Change
- Groundwater and Groundwater Management
- Flood Risk Management
- Urban Water Management
These profiles serve only as recommendations. They typically suggest between 25 and 35 credits, and are intended to help you plan a focus area. They are not required, nor do they appear on your degree certificate.
Select further modules to complete the 50 credit requirement
Whether or not you follow a suggested profile, you are responsible for choosing additional electives to meet the credit target. You may deepen your expertise within one topic or build a more interdisciplinary mix. Combining modules from different profiles is perfectly acceptable.

Following a profile is not required. It is entirely optional. What is mandatory is that you select modules adding up to 50 elective credits across your second and third semesters. The structure is designed to give you freedom while ensuring you meet the academic standard.

Study Project (Compulsory)

All students must complete the 10 credit Study Project in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), typically undertaken in the second or third semester. This module (MHSE 09) is designed to strengthen students’ ability to work independently on a scientific topic, while collaborating effectively in a small research team.

What the project involves

You work in a small team of 2 to 3 students, under the supervision of at least one Lecturer, Professor or PhD Student.
The project may involve field investigations, laboratory work, data analysis, or modelling tasks, depending on the chosen topic.
Students are responsible for organising their work, assigning tasks, and keeping to a timeline.
The output includes two oral presentations (intermediate and final) and a written project report.

Learning objectives

Gain experience in managing a scientific investigation from start to finish
Develop group communication, task coordination, and time management skills
Practise presenting technical results to an academic audience
Learn to document methodology, data and findings in writing

Workload and assessment

Total workload: 300 hours (equivalent to 10 ECTS credits)
Assessment components:
- Presentation 1 (intermediate results): 25%
- Presentation 2 (final results): 25%
- Written report: 50%

The Study Project is more than a simulation. It provides a direct connection between coursework and the Master Thesis by challenging you to apply theory to practical problems and to present your findings in a professional format. It also strengthens academic autonomy and scientific writing, both of which are critical in the fourth semester.

Optional Internship: Hydrosciences in Practice

As part of the elective phase, students may choose to complete an internship in a relevant hydroscience related institution or company. This opportunity is formally recognised through the module MHSE 36: Internship Hydrosciences, worth 5 credits.

What it involves

The internship must last a minimum of 3 full working weeks (typically 15 working days).
It can be completed in Germany or abroad, depending on the student’s interests and visa conditions.
Host institutions may include governmental agencies, engineering firms, research institutes, or NGOs operating in the water sector.
Students are responsible for identifying and securing the internship placement.

Recognition and requirements

The internship must be approved in advance by the programme coordinator or a supervising professor.
Upon completion, the student must submit:
- A brief report outlining their tasks, learning outcomes and relevance to their studies
- A certificate or confirmation of attendance from the host institution

Why take the internship?

It offers a valuable opportunity to gain practical experience, apply classroom knowledge, and develop professional contacts.
The internship is particularly recommended for students aiming to work in consultancy, public agencies or international cooperation.

The internship is optional, but once chosen and completed according to the guidelines, it will appear on your academic record and contribute to the elective credit total.

Master Thesis (4th Semester)

The final semester is dedicated to independent research under academic supervision.

Key features:

Duration: 21 weeks
Workload: 30 credits
Evaluation: 70% written thesis, 30% oral defence
Accounts for 30% of the final degree grade

The thesis addresses a real problem in hydro science, chosen together by student and professor. It demonstrates your ability to carry out research autonomously and present it professionally.

here you will find comprehensive information on the Master Thesis procedure.