Major: Communications Engineering (COMM)

 

General information on Master Degree Program

Read the information regarding the course of studies and a possible curriculum.

 

Program requirements: Major Communications Engineering (COMM)

The field of Communications Engineering is dominated by the progress in the areas of information theory, information and communication technology, microelectronics and their various applications, such as communication networks, mobile radio systems, optical transmission systems, signal processing systems (image/video, speech/audio), automation, robotics, automotive and embedded systems. As required by the ever increasing complexity of the technology development in the denoted areas, the graduates with a Master degree in Electrical Engineering, Information Technology and Computer Engineering and a specialization in Communications Engineering have all necessary fundamental knowledge in classical electrical engineering and computer science, communication technology, and are able to develop complex systems by a hardware/software co-design methodology. They have all necessary skills to perform modelling, analysis, synthesis and optimization of such systems. They are further specialized in at least one of the application areas listed above, both in terms of theoretical background and practical skills.

Graduates in Electrical Engineering, Information Technology and Computer Engineering with a specialization in Communications Engineering will be able

• to take technical-scientific questions from practice, understand the problems, formulate them and then communicate them to others.
• to analyse engineering and technology questions and formulate a solution.
• to understand the impact of design activities on the life cycle of products.
• to adequately report, both written and verbally in current technical language and terminology over results and work practices to persuade others about the benefits of new ideas and inventions.
• to communicate adequately in their native language and in English.

In order to achieve these goals, the Master Programme utilizes the following basic teaching forms:

• Lectures – a serial presentation of material including the treatment of specific methodologies
• Tutorials – the solidifying and deepening of expert knowledge and capabilities by solving problems associated with lecture material
• Seminar work – the elaboration of complex questions and scientific knowledge. Basic knowledge is presupposed. Students give oral presentations in the seminar
• Intensive Courses – compact intensive courses composed of lectures and tutorials.
• Important additional options for gaining technical competence are available such as
• Term and master projects in small groups and as individuals
• Excursions – expert guided tours of technical installations and facilities outside the university
• Practical (e.g. laboratory) work directly related to lectures
• Industrial experience and practice of 18 weeks minimum

Finally, the master thesis demonstrates the capability of the individual to work at a professional level contributing to research projects, i.e. to plan, conduct and report a programme of original research.

The Master Programme is mainly consisting of electives, which allow students to specialize in a particular area. The knowledge acquired in lectures and tutorials is normally tested in written (occasionally oral) examinations, while students achieve accreditation for seminars, projects and laboratory exercises. Group work in projects and presentation in seminars is also intended to enhance their interdisciplinary and social skills. Students must independently complete a master’s thesis (six months); these are normally in an area of specialization and often part of a larger research project.

 

The major Communications Engineering comprises three semesters of lectures, tutorials and lab courses, along with an industrial internship of at least 18 weeks and a final master thesis in the fourth semester. In total, the program amounts to 120 ECTS credits.

The major is mainly built up of two module groups, each containing a list of required elective courses: catalogue CORE focuses on Systems and Electronics, whereas the modules of catalogue ELECTIVE only concentrate on one of the above mentioned study profiles.

Study profiles show you useful combination of modules. They are intended as proposals. However, other combinations within the respective major are possible.

The curriculum is complemented by a broad offer of laboratories, project works and seminars. In addition, there is an area of eligible courses which comprises the full master degree program of the faculty, hence including courses from all majors. Finally there is an area of free elective courses from the entire RWTH course program, including language courses, courses in economy, law or soft-skill courses and block lectures.

 

Study Plan (recommended)

Master of Science in "Electrical Engineering, Information Technology and Computer Engineering"; Study Plan Major Communications Engineering :

1. Semester

Modules	Credits	Total
5 compulsory elective modules from catalogue CORE or ELECTIVE of the major Communications Engineering (COMM)	20	32
1 elective module from catalogue GENERAL from the entire offer of the faculty	4
LABORATORY or PROJECT from the catalogue of the major Communications Engineering (COMM)	4
SEMINAR from the catalogue of the selected major	4
Module Scientific Integrity

2. Semester

5 compulsory elective modules fromcatalogue CORE or ELECTIVE of the major Communications Engineering (COMM)	20	32
1 elective module from catalogue GENERAL from the entire offer of the faculty	4
2 modules from catalogue ADDITIONAL	8

3. Semester

Industrial internship (18 weeks)	18	26
Seminar relating to the internship	4
1 module from catalogue ADDITIONAL	4

4. Semester

Master thesis incl. master colloquium	30 120
Total