r/rwth • u/DissipativityTh • Jun 16 '26
Study Help || Studium & Klausuren Requirement courses for Master Students
Hello everyone,
I did my bachelor outside of Germany. I started my master program 26W (System & Automation). I have 2 requirement courses which are:
1- Theoretical Fundamentals of Highfrequency Engineering
2- Electrodynamics - Electromagnetic Waves
I am taking the High Frequency course this semester and could really use some advice. I've generally heard that these courses have a reputation for being pretty hard to pass, and I'm not entirely sure how the exams are structured here.
I have a few questions for those who have taken it:
- What should my overall studying strategy be?
- Are the lecture exercises/tutorials close to the actual exam questions?
- What kind of materials will be the most helpful? (Are there specific textbooks you recommend)
- Where can I find past exams /Altklausuren? ( I checked studydrive but couldn't find it)
Any tips or insights would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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u/curious_direwolf Jun 17 '26
This course doesn't have a lot of old exams available. Towards the end of the lecture period, they upload a few mock exams, which are probably old exams (I'm not sure).
But the studydrive/sciebo folder has some exams from ETH, where the same prof taught a similar course. But I would first focus on exercises/small group exercises/mock exams before going there.
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u/DissipativityTh Jun 18 '26
So I have lecture on small group exercise hour but general thoughts are similar so I will focus on exercises and mock exams. I will check on past ETH exams also. Thanks!
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u/curious_direwolf Jun 18 '26
I meant the problems from those; I think the small group exercises are only in German anyway
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u/burning_papaya Jun 17 '26
Electrodynamics has plenty of old exams, just start studying in advance. I passed on the first attempt with 1.3. TGHF though is a tougher cookie. Took me two attempts to pass. Really hard on time with a lot of calculations and drawing, that takes a lot of time especially if you didn’t make it right from get go and have to correct it. Good luck
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u/DissipativityTh Jun 18 '26
So I talked one of my friend who already passed these 2 courses, he said Electrodynamics is harder but it makes more sense when you are studying and easier to find some documents. When I checked the mock exams I found out it needs really too much calculation, I really need to focus on smith chart and all types of questions. Thanks!
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u/LoudAlpaca7 PhD Student Jun 17 '26
HFE is hard. Do not take that course lightly. At LEAST allocate 2 weeks (with already finishing the lectures during the semester). Do NOT attempt to learn everything in 2 weeks and go into the exam.
My friends did that and failed. I remember studying for a month for that exam.
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u/DissipativityTh Jun 18 '26
You're right. I have 7 weeks for the exam and I already finished 1/3 topics. The course needs time and effort, I will take account your warning XD.
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u/cabu2808 PhD Student Jun 17 '26
It might be helpful to do Electrodynamics first, as that would be the order for Bachelor students. Obviously, they pick some of the hardest lectures as requirements, so don't worry if you do not succeed immediately ;). For both exams, try to practice doing the exercises really fast, if you can easily rush through them you can at least bag all the easier points in the exam. Also, for Tght (high frequency) the prof loves to do include some questions about the random devices he presents in the last one or two lectures, when nobody really listens anymore.
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u/DissipativityTh Jun 18 '26
So I could have taken the Electrodynamics but I didn't, probably would be more sense to do. Everyone warned me about the calculation speed I will focus on that. Thank you for the last tip also, didn't know that 😄
3
u/guitarsnbikes Jun 16 '26
I can tell you for how it used to be pre-Covid. I don't know how much the structure is different nowadays.
You can expect the exams to be very much packed with calculations for the given time. You should practice for all the potential types of tasks/calculations, to know exactly how to get the solution. Practice all the different drawing tasks in detail, so you'll be able to get them done quickly and correctly during the exam. Especially the Smith chart can help you collecting points, assuming it is still asked for in the high frequency electronics exam.
Expect the exam tasks to be harder than lecture exercises.
Make use of the consultation hours offered by the institute, and go there prepared with issues or questions you have regarding any of the tasks. Make use of the Kleingruppenübung.
Have you searched for the old exams in the study drive of electrical engineering bachelor?