What is it about?
Mechanical engineering is at the heart of technological development and is highly relevant in various branches of industry. From the automotive industry, aircraft construction and shipbuilding to environmental technology and energy supply, mechanical engineering is used in all of these areas. Mechanical engineering plays a stimulating and innovative role, particularly in forward-looking technologies such as Industry 4.0, additive manufacturing (e.g. 3D printing) or robotics and automation technology. Topics such as sustainability and globalization are increasingly coming into focus.
Profile of the study program
The Bachelor's degree course in Mechanical Engineering at Fachhochschule Dortmund provides you with a broad spectrum of engineering knowledge. At the same time, you can tailor your studies to your individual interests through our compulsory and elective modules in the areas of Production Engineering, Product Development and Simulation as well as Mechanical, Energy and Environmental Engineering. We attach great importance to practical and project-oriented teaching and learning methods. Through internships in our state-of-the-art laboratories(Opens in a new tab) or through real project work in cooperation with companies from industry, we promote your skills in project and process management as well as your teamwork and communication skills. In this way, we prepare you optimally for the demands of professional practice as an engineer.
Structure of the study program
Basic studies: In the first three semesters, we provide you with the necessary basic knowledge on which the course content of the higher semesters is based. In addition to mathematics, physics and chemistry, you will attend courses in engineering informatics, production technology and strength of materials. Fluid mechanics and the fundamentals of electrical engineering are just as much a part of the basic subjects as business administration and sustainability and ethics in mechanical engineering.
Study focus: In the fourth and fifth semesters, you will attend your individual compulsory and compulsory elective modules in addition to a few final basic subjects. You can choose from the following areas:
- Production engineering
- Product development and simulation
- Mechanical, energy and environmental engineering
You can find an overview of all compulsory elective modules in the module handbook for the study program. You can find the module handbook on the right-hand side under "Further information".
Practical semester: A practical semester of twenty weeks takes place in the sixth semester. During this semester, you will be introduced to the professional activities of an engineer through specific tasks and subject-related work. The work takes place in mechanical engineering companies or other companies and institutions of professional practice corresponding to the study objective. Alternatively, it is also possible to spend time abroad at one of our partner universities (e.g. in India, Peru, USA or France).
Degree: In the seventh semester, you will work on an independent engineering thesis in our laboratories or in a company. This can serve as preparation for your Bachelor's thesis, which you also write in this semester. After successfully completing your studies, you will graduate with a Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.).
Specializations in the study program
Production engineering
Production engineering deals with the planning, organization and optimization of production processes in order to manufacture products efficiently and cost-effectively. As part of the compulsory modules, you will attend courses on production engineering, factory organization, quality management and high-tech metals.
Product development and simulation
Product development is a crucial process that involves the creation of new products or the further development of existing products. Computer-aided design (CAD) plays a central role here. As part of the compulsory modules, you will attend courses on the topics of motion and force transmission, fluid and structural mechanics and heat transfer.
Mechanical, energy and environmental engineering
Mechanical, energy and environmental engineering is an interdisciplinary field that deals with the development and application of technologies that make machines more efficient, environmentally friendly and sustainable. The compulsory modules include energy, environmental and plant engineering as well as fluid mechanics.
Course of study
This is a thematic overview of the course content. Detailed information on the exact names of the courses, information on ECTS or semester hours per week can be found in the examination regulations and in the module handbook.
| 1st semester | Mathematics | Engineering science fundamentals |
Physics | Computer Science | Statics | Design project | |
| 2nd semester | Mathematics | Production Engineering | Physics | Computer Science | Language and rhetoric | Design project | Strength of materials |
| 3rd semester | Business Administration | Electrical Engineering | Fluid Mechanics | Computer Science | Sustainability and ethics | Design project | Dynamics |
| 4th semester | Control and regulation technology | Thermodynamics | Compulsory module | Compulsory module | Design project | ||
| 5th semester | Compulsory elective module | Compulsory elective module | Compulsory elective module | Compulsory module | Compulsory module | Student research project | |
| 6th semester | Practical semester (20 weeks) | Practical seminar | |||||
| 7th semester | Thesis & colloquium | Compulsory elective module | Engineering thesis |
Impressions from your studies
We have asked...
Our student Martin answered our questions. The result is this interview in which he talks about his personal experiences and impressions of the Mechanical Engineering study program. He gives an insight into his everyday life as a student, the special features of his course and the challenges he has faced so far.
Insights into our laboratories
A high practical component in the course is particularly important to us. The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering therefore has a large number of state-of-the-art laboratories in which our students can directly apply the theoretical knowledge they learn in practice during the course of their studies. The following picture gallery gives you a few impressions of everyday laboratory life.
Prospects after graduation
Mechanical engineering is an extremely versatile field that plays a key role in numerous branches of industry and technological applications. A wide range of fascinating fields of application are open to our graduates.
Automotive industry: They play a crucial role in the development of vehicles, from design and production to the continuous improvement of drive systems, car bodies and safety technologies.
Energy supply: In this field, they contribute to the development of efficient energy production methods, whether in conventional energy production, renewable energy technology or the optimization of energy systems.
Robotics and automation: In the advancing world of robotics and automation, mechanical engineers are shaping the future of manufacturing processes, warehouse management systems and autonomous vehicles.
Environmental engineering: As an engineer, you will contribute to the development of environmentally friendly technologies, be it in wastewater treatment, air pollution control or the design of sustainable production processes.
Medical engineering: Innovation in the field of medical devices, prostheses and diagnostic instruments are often the work of mechanical engineering experts who use their skills to improve healthcare.
Design and construction: You play a crucial role in the planning and implementation of construction projects, whether in the field of building technology, infrastructure or bridge and tunnel construction.
We have asked...
Graduate Marina successfully completed her bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering with a focus on mechanical, energy and environmental engineering with us some time ago. We visited her at her employer and accompanied her for a day.
Master's program
After successfully completing their Bachelor's degree, good graduates have the opportunity to gain further qualifications with a Master's degree. The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at Fachhochschule Dortmund offers you various options here - both full-time and part-time.
Overview of the Master's programs in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering(Opens in a new tab)
Information and counseling on the transition from university to work
Why study at Fachhochschule Dortmund?
What makes Fachhochschule Dortmund special? What should you know about the city and the region? How is Fachhochschule Dortmund positioned in terms of internationality and what counseling and support do we offer you? Find out more about Fachhochschule Dortmund.
Who is it for?
Desirable subject-specific and interdisciplinary knowledge
Stay abroad possible during your studies
What do I need?
1. qualification / certificates and degrees
The qualification for studying at universities of applied sciences is proven by the certificate of the university of applied sciences entrance qualification or a previous education recognized as equivalent.
Here you will find a detailed description of the various recognized qualifications.
2. register now
The study program starts annually in the winter semester and is admission-free.
Who can help me?
We will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the study program and Fachhochschule Dortmund.
Central Student Advisory Services (ZSB)
Student advisory service
Prof. Ruth Kaesemann, Dr.-Ing.
- +49 231 91129334
Mondays 11-12:30, during the semester break by appointment via e-mail.
Contact with students
Admissions Office for Student Affairs
Registration office team
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