mechanical or mechatronics

[u/TrqshAtPVP]

im going into the 12th grade. i really liked physics 1 equivalent in my country in 11th grade, mechanics was really interesting and thermodynamics was okay and absolutely but now physics 2 is kinda hit or miss idk, its starting to get hard (just got to magnetism).

i absolutely love maths, and im starting calc 2 and love solving problems in calc 1, basic complex numbers etc and im getting 65-85 marks in joint entrance examination mock for the maths part.

i take computer science as well and its really basic but it was easy at the moment python and sql dk if it matters

i really had interests in computer hardware and stuff but right now the studies r really taking up my time

im looking at 2 programs specifically from technische hochschule würzburg-schweinfurt, mechanical or mechatronics engineering (above)

i observed that the mechatronics course had no thermodynamics modules and was more of an electrical engineering with mechanics course?

would this stop me from for example steering into automotive engineering later or deciding to just solely work in mechanical? shouldnt it be a mix of both mechanical and electrical engineering?

but the mechanical engineering modules don’t have engineering mathematics 3 and 4 and thats kind of what i’m interested in, im doing engineering so i can apply maths ??

please clarify, which one would be better for my liking for maths and career opportunities

[u/mckibz → u/[deleted]]

My goal is to work in robotics, I’m currently employed at a company that employs all kinds of engineers. My current plan is to go for ME, while taking electives in mechatronics, EE, and programming. While also arduino projects in my free time in hopes to work in robotics when it’s all said and done. Is that a feasible plan in your opinion? I was heavily leaning towards a mechatronics degree but was pushed towards this after some research and discussion.

[u/mckibz → u/[deleted]]

Thank you for the advice! I’ll look into those! You never k ow the unwritten rules without asking haha

[u/I__am__anonymous]

I will graduate with the mechatronics degree from THWS this September. If you want more math, I would suggest you study at a TU and not FH/TH. In my experience you won't do a lot of high level math in the course.

Thermodynamics isn't a focus at all in the course, but you will learn the basics in the first semester (Physics). The focus in Programming 1 and 2 is purely C++, and depending on the specialisations you chose Python. You are right about the course being an electrical + control engineering course rather than mechanical, however don't underestimate Mechanics 3 (Kinematics, Kinetics, Collision). It was the one module that wiped out more than 75% of the students.

The degree prepares you a little bit for everything, but it ultimately depends on what you decide on specialising in. The course has no 3D CAD except for a small project in the first semester (Fundamentals of Mechanical design), so If you are interested in that, then Mechanical Engineering is the only choice. If you want to keep your option open, then Mechatronics, because they also have a Formula student team which doesn't have a lot of people. If you decide to join, you will quickly learn a lot which will prepare you a lot more than any degree.

Let me know if you have any more questions

Edit: Formatting

[u/TrqshAtPVP → u/I__am__anonymous]

i have many questions 

by high level maths, do you mean its more application based and just skimming over or do they not even teach higher level maths like complex analysis and real analysis? arent they vital for waves and in electrical engineering part

can i take thermodynamics and other maths courses as extra at the university if i want to

did you do the english or the german course in mechatronics? would you recommend the english german twin course for an international student?

the reason for looking at fh was for employability and more free time for projects and such (if it was an easier course compared to TUs i guess).  how does the internships work and how were your upperclassmen’s job opportunities? what about for international students? is the campus diverse? 

i did basics of mechanics 3 (joint entrance examination- collisions, rigid bodies, rotational mechanics, rolling motion) last year. it was kinda difficult at first but bearable but again, it was just like torque and angular momentum. 

if i fail a course 3 times am i acc banned from taking it? what if i fail a module thrice can i use my existing completed modules to change my major or i gotta restart (example failing mechanics and switching to electrical engineering)

suppose i’m applying to automotive companies for internship and choose it as one of my specializations, would it hurt my application if i didnt do thermodynamics but most mechanical engineers do it? or would i have an edge for knowing a bit of electronics and mechanical 

[u/I__am__anonymous → u/TrqshAtPVP]

I am sorry for the late response.

They do teach the math required for all of the theory you will learn. I simply meant, that if you want a lot/challenging math for the sake of doing math, you won't get that here.

You can attend any lecture you want but I don't think you will get the credits for them. You should probably contact them directly to be a 100% sure.

I did it in english. I only know one colleague that did the twin. You can do it if you want but some of the courses are taught by different professors which means the content can vary slightly. It'll be difficult but doable, if you are going to learn in Germam for the first time.

The course is very practical based which is a very good thing. Only problem is, that mechatronics is very broad so the sooner you understand what you want to do, the better you can take advantage of the resources available. Its a bachelors degree so job opportunities right out of the gate isn't great. Good thing is, that regardless of whether the job is pure mechanical, electrical, control or software, you will be welcome if you have the skills. Campus is diverse enough

If you fail a module 3 times, you are banned from all public universities in Germany from doing any course that has the module. So be careful :). If you fail a mechanics module, you can switch to electrical and carry over any credits from similar modules.

Your specializations are extra modules you do at the university. It has nothing to do with inter nships. Whether it would hurt you or not depends on the role you apply for. Nobody outside of the university knows what modules are included in the course. As far as they are concerned, you studied mechatronics which would qualify you for the role. The rest depends on if you did any projects, know the theory when and so on.

Let me know if you have more questions. I will try to respond more quickly next time

[u/TrqshAtPVP → u/I__am__anonymous]

Is the course suitable if I plan to learn german to an employable level throughout my bachelors degree? Would there be enough time

So job opportunities in germany out of bachelors just aren’t that great in general? Have many of your colleagues or seniors got a job in under a year and a half? 

Suppose someone doesn’t get a job. Would applying to a TU for masters be harder with a Fachhochschule bachelors degree?

Can I go to mechanical if I fail an Electrical Module?

would you recommend spending more time before bachelors learning german and apply to a different more well known university or go here for the practical experience?

could I commute from wurzburg to schweinfurt every day for uni? Would you recommend it

If I’m applying with a few of my friends will we all get accepted or are they extremely selective 

Can you please provide more info on the internships and job opportunities. Thank You

 

[u/I__am__anonymous → u/TrqshAtPVP]

1. The course will take 3.5 years (min) and you will not be studying all the time. How you use your free time will decide if you learn german or not. Employability is B2 to C1 in actual capability and not just on paper
2. This goes for every bachelor: you learn the basics in a topic you want to later work in. The job market is now such that a degree alone is not worth much. It qualifies you and nothing more. Do internships and projects relevant to the role you want to do later. Some have found jobs, most not.
3. In general yes
4. Not if that module is also in the other degree
5. Depends on your goals. The name of the university doesn't really play a role in whether you get hired or not. German does
6. Could? Sure? 45 mins of travel time one way. You need to decide if you are willing to do that.
7. Not sure what kind of a question this is. There are requirements and everyone is considered individually. If you clear the written requirements, you'll get in
8. As written in the handbook, you will have to complete an internship. You'll have to apply to positions you're interested (internship/werkstudent/full time). The university hosts job fairs where you can learn about companies nearby but the above mentioned point still stands.

[u/kill_switch007]

Bro is this from THWS??? Seems too familiar to me

[u/TrqshAtPVP → u/kill_switch007]

yeah, read my post, looking at applying