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Facts and figures
Automation – Industry 4.0
If you want to understand how the factories of the future work and secure a future-proof career, the ‘Automation – Industry 4.0’ specialisation is the right choice. This is because it is consistently geared towards the technologies of modern industry.
Microcontrollers, communication networks, sensor technology and industrial control systems merge to form complex systems that automate entire factories. But even with the highest possible level of automation, engineers are still needed to design and operate the systems safely. Rather than simply looking at individual machines, you’ll develop the ability to analyse and further develop complete industrial systems.
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An overview of the course content
In the Automation – Industry 4.0 specialisation, you will study robotics, drive systems and industrial communication. You’ll learn how to design and operate automated systems safely. Computer science topics such as industrial networks and IT security highlight just how closely automation and digitalisation are linked. It is precisely this connection that sets the specialisation at Mittweida apart from traditional Electrical Engineering.
The strong practical focus is to your advantage. In modern laboratories and our Innolab, you’ll work on solutions yourself. This will enable you not only to understand how automated systems work, but also how they are actually used in modern production environments.
Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering I
Fundamentals of Information Technology
Electrical Systems Development
Materials Science
Fundamentals of Design and E-CAD
Mathematics
Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering II
Mechanical and Electrical Measurement Techniques
Fundamentals of Physics
transversal skills
Procedural Programming
Mathematics – Specialising in Analysis
Digital technology
Analogue technology
Business Management
3 specialisation modules:
- Signals and Systems
- Microcontroller Technology
- Fundamentals of Communication Networks
Fundamentals of Control Engineering
5 specialisation modules:
- Sensors and Actuators
- Industrial Control
- Robotics
- Digital Circuit Design with VHDL + FPGA
- Electrical Machinery
6 specialisation modules:
- Electromagnetic Compatibility
- Introduction to IT security
- Process Integration/Control Systems
- Electric drive systems
- Power Electronics
- Elective module (1 out of 2): Hydraulics/Pneumatics or Selected Topics in Higher Mathematics
Practical module
: Independent scientific and practical work within a company
Duration: 12 weeks
Bachelor’s
thesis: Final, independent academic thesis
Duration: 12 weeks
Electrical Engineering – Automation
In summary – Automation – Industry 4.0 in Mittweida
Specialisation within the full-time Bachelor’s degree programme in Electrical Engineering – Automation
(180 Credits)
After completing your Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering – Automation, with a specialisation in Automation – Industry 4.0, you could work, for example, as an automation engineer, a project engineer for Industry 4.0 applications, a developer of intelligent control systems, or in the field of robotics and industrial networks. Roles in smart manufacturing, plant automation or industrial cybersecurity are also typical areas of work. You will be in particularly high demand wherever production is managed digitally, in a networked manner and efficiently.
Application and Admission
Applicants must hold a general university entrance qualification, a university of applied sciences entrance qualification, a subject-specific university entrance qualification or an equivalent recognised qualification. Applicants who have completed vocational training and have at least three years’ professional experience may also be admitted following a consultation and a successful entrance examination.
Language skills:
Anyone who did not obtain their university entrance qualification at a German-speaking institution must demonstrate German language proficiency at level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Proof of this can be provided, for example, by passing the ‘German as a Foreign Language’ (TestDaF) test at the Mittweida University Preparatory College with an average score of TDN 3 in all four sections, or by presenting an equivalent certificate.
The application period for the winter semester begins on 15 April and ends on 15 July. You can register online via the HSMW application portal. Once you have submitted all your documents, you can enrol. Once you have enrolled, your place at Mittweida is secured. For international applicants, the application deadline is 15 May, to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.
We’ve got you covered! Excellent study conditions, modern facilities and affordable rent allow you to focus fully on your studies. Tutorials are on hand to help with academic queries, the SAXEED start-up network supports you on your journey to developing your own business idea, and the Social Support Service offers assistance with specific life situations, such as childcare or caring for relatives. The campus also has plenty to offer: two music festivals a year, an active esports team and a vibrant student community. Discover just how diverse life in Mittweida is – at the Open Day or the Night of Science.
Related degree programmes
Frequently Asked Questions
You don’t need to be a maths genius or a hacker to get started, as we’ll start with the basics and teach you how to programme from scratch. However, a sound basic understanding of physical principles and a keen interest in solving logical problems are very helpful when it comes to understanding how complex systems work.
Yes, you can specialise your profile by choosing one of four specialisations. You can choose between Automation – Industry 4.0, Networked Electromobility, Mechatronics or Responsible Consumption and Production. You make your choice at the end of the second semester.
In Electrical Engineering, a semester abroad is usually optional, but is very much feasible thanks to a so-called ‘mobility window’ in the later semesters. It’s best to start planning a year in advance by visiting the International Office, which will help you choose a partner university and sort out funding (e.g. Erasmus+). However, for the ‘Responsible Consumption and Production’ specialisation, a semester abroad is a fixed part of the programme and takes place at one of our partner universities.
Whilst traditional electrical engineering often focuses on energy flows and computer science remains purely within the world of code, automation is the connecting ‘brain’ that brings hardware and software to life. Compared to Mechanical Engineering, which is primarily concerned with physical design, here you’ll learn how to make these designs controllable through sensor technology and intelligent programming – so you’ll be the key generalist who ensures that machines can operate autonomously.
