Microelectronics and Microsystems: Hamburg University of Technology

Microelectronics has not only triggered the enormous growth in information and communication technologies but it has also become an important factor in many other areas. In recent years, technologies originally developed for microelectronics have been increasingly applied to the fabrication of miniaturised systems in electromechanical, electrooptical, analytical or biomedical applications. The new discipline is called microsystem technology. The future development will certainly result in the integration of microsystem components with microelectronic devices. In order to be able to cope with this challenge, the TUHH has introduced an innovative Master's programme in Microelectronics and Microsystems which combines both aspects.

The standard duration of the course is two years. In the first year students take part in lectures, exercises and laboratory work. During the lecture-free period after the second semester an internship takes place, followed by a project and a subject-specific seminar or a process design course in the third semester. The course is completed with a six-month Master's thesis in the fourth semester.

The technological challenges of modern society and the requirements of the globalised labour market call for an excellent engineering education as well as for a sound additional qualification in the fields of business and management, soft skills, and humanities. Therefore, the international Master's degree courses at TUHH include a minimum number of non-technical compulsory elective courses.

The profile of engineering higher education at TUHH focuses on research and application, including practical training in industry. It is characterised by features such as humanism, the Humboldt Principle of unity of research and teaching and a solid mathematical and scientific foundation. The base of knowledge covers a wide range, and priority is given to knowledge of methodology as opposed to the mere repetition of knowledge. This allows quick adaption to new fields of technology and new branches of employment. The solid and comprehensive education leads to the qualification and personality for a promising professional or academic career.