Interdisciplinary Engineering

Overview

This master's programme prepares engineers to work across traditional disciplinary boundaries by teaching how to combine and apply specialist knowledge from several fields. It brings together content from electrical engineering, mechanical and automotive engineering, and building, supply and energy technology, and trains students to integrate these areas when tackling complex technical problems. The course is delivered in English and emphasizes creative, “outside-the-box” thinking to exploit synergies between disciplines and drive innovation.

Learning formats include interdisciplinary team projects and seminars designed to strengthen methodological, social and analytical skills. Graduates leave equipped to operate in innovative interface roles in industry or research, and the Master of Science degree also provides the academic basis to pursue doctoral studies.

Key facts

• Combines content from electrical engineering; mechanical and automotive engineering; and building, supply and energy technology
• Includes interdisciplinary team projects and seminars to develop methodical, social and analytical competencies
• Leads to a Master of Science degree with strong career prospects in business and research and eligibility to undertake doctoral studies

Program structure and interdisciplinary focus

This master's brings together core competencies from electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and building/supply/energy engineering in a compact, application-oriented curriculum. The standard duration is three semesters, totaling 90 ECTS. At admission a student's core discipline is defined (normally the same area as their bachelor’s degree), but the programme is explicitly designed so students can combine courses across disciplines and shape an interdisciplinary profile tailored to an application field.

Key modules and independent work

The curriculum is split evenly between taught modules (45 ECTS) and independent work (45 ECTS). Independent work includes an interdisciplinary team project and an interdisciplinary seminar in the second semester, plus the Master’s thesis (30 ECTS), where students are expected to solve a scientific problem and present their results. Students must also take at least 15 ECTS of master’s modules in a supplementary discipline different from their bachelor’s field. It is possible to change the programme focus from the original core discipline, provided the student completes at least 20 ECTS of teaching modules and writes the final thesis in the new subject area.

Typical module topics span the three contributing fields and can be combined to address specific application areas. For example, an electromobility track might include modules such as theory of drive technology, control engineering, learning systems (electrical), energy-efficient vehicles, vehicle technology, vehicle safety (mechanical), and regenerative energy systems, smart grids, grid integration of renewable energies (building/supply/energy). This modular flexibility allows students to build both breadth and depth across technologies and systems.

Learning outcomes and career paths

Graduates will have interdisciplinary engineering skills to analyse and develop technical systems that cross traditional departmental boundaries, experience in team-based problem solving, and the ability to conduct and communicate independent scientific work. The Master of Science degree qualifies holders for doctoral studies and for roles in research and development across industry and academia.

Requirements and key facts

• Standard study length: 3 semesters (90 ECTS).
• Degree components: Teaching modules 45 ECTS; Independent work 45 ECTS (includes Master’s thesis 30 ECTS).
• Minimum 15 ECTS in a supplementary discipline different from the student’s bachelor’s subject.
• To change the programme focus: complete ≥20 ECTS of teaching modules in the chosen subject area plus the Master’s thesis in that area.
• Students with a six-semester bachelor’s degree may acquire an extra 30 ECTS from an enrolment catalogue before registering the Master’s thesis to reach the 300 ECTS requirement for a Master’s degree — this can extend overall study duration.
• Includes an interdisciplinary team project and seminar (second semester) to strengthen teamwork and cross-disciplinary competence.

Graduates are prepared for roles at the intersection of multiple engineering disciplines and are attractive to industry and research organisations. Typical career paths include R&D engineer, systems engineer, product development, and specialist roles in electrification, energy systems integration, vehicle technology and smart grid applications. The programme’s interdisciplinary training equips graduates to manage complex, cross-domain projects and to work in multi-disciplinary teams.

The MSc entitles holders to pursue doctoral studies, so career progression into academic research and leadership positions in research & development is also feasible. Employers likely to recruit graduates include automotive and mobility companies, energy and utility firms, engineering consultancies, and research institutes focused on innovative interface technologies.