Starting in the upcoming winter semester 2023/24, the TU Ilmenau will offer orientation programs for students of engineering programs. Intensive insights into various engineering activities will help students in their first semesters to find the right course of study for them. Students in the bachelor's programs in mechanical engineering, automotive engineering, mechatronics, and electrical engineering and information technology can participate. The TU Ilmenau is the first university in Thuringia to offer such a study orientation.
What does an engineer actually do? - Students who take part in the study orientation receive concrete answers to this question and personal insights. This enables them to tailor the course of their engineering studies to their personal goals, abilities and interests.
Above all, orientation means gaining insights into the real everyday working life of an engineer: The studentsvisit companies and look over the shoulders of engineers at work; they hear reports on the experiences of industry and business partners as well as of graduates and graduates of various engineering programs. In addition, they work on interdisciplinary projects with current technical issues in small interdisciplinary teams at the university. In this way, they learn from concrete examples what the theoretical principles and methods they will acquire in their studies are used for in practice. In addition, students are supported in their individual learning behavior. Courses on so-called key qualifications also contribute to this, dealing, among other things, with self-management and time management during studies.
All components of theAll components of the orientation program are coordinated with one another and integrated into the scheduling of the various degree programs. In addition, there is intensive personal support from other students and faculty. "The pride of having solved complex tasks at an early stage is intended to increase motivation to deal with challenging technical topics during one's studies," explains Vice President for Teaching and Learning Prof. Anja Geigenmüller. And teamwork also needs to be learned: "Here, the orientation offer should provide options for students to come together in learning groups that will continue beyond the orientation phase through their studies," says the vice president.
Students of theBachelor's programs in mechanical engineering, automotiveengineering, mechatronics, and electrical engineering and information technology can register now until October 06, 2023, at the latest, for the orientation program (orientierung@tu-ilmenau.de). A study agreement will be concluded with the participants in which the supplementary offers and the possible recognition of study achievements will be individually defined. After successful participation in the orientation courses, they will receive a certificate of participation for the services rendered. Should a student during the orientation phase consider a different engineering course of study than the one initially chosen to be more suitable, a change is possible without any problems. In this case, the continued payment of the BAföG education grant is ensured even in the case of a change only after the first or second semester.
The new orientation study program further develops already proven concepts of the TU Ilmenau for study starters. It is constantly evaluated and concepts for its further design are developed based on the findings.
Contact
Prof. Anja Geigenmüller
Vice President for Teaching and Learning
+49 3677 69-5010
vpsl@tu-ilmenau.de
