Studying has been my best time so far

Johannes Gutheil is currently completing the three-semester master's programme in bio- and chemical engineering at the RPTU. He particularly likes the wide range of courses, the opportunity to study abroad – and the fact that he can also brew beer on the side. His advice to prospective students: ‘Studying is always a team effort. Find like-minded people to exchange ideas with.’

Since the end of August 2024, RPTU Master's student Johannes Gutheil has been conducting research at the Vilnius Gediminas Technical University in Lithuania. ‘I'll be staying until the end of January 2025,’ he reports. This is because the Chair of Mechanical Process Engineering at RPTU is cooperating with a research group there: ‘I'm doing a student project here in Vilnius, which is done before the Master's thesis in my degree programme.’ The whole thing is financially supported by Erasmus Plus. What is it about in terms of content? ‘I am working on particle agglomeration. We are trying to use an electric field to cause several small particles to join together to form larger particles. This should increase the filterability of these particles.’ For example, it is about particles that are produced during combustion in engines – which are composed of carbon or organic substances: “If they are too small, such particles could be harmful to health. For example, if they enter the lungs,” explains Johannes Gutheil, who already has his bachelor's degree in bio- and chemical engineering.

Combining chemistry and engineering

Why did he choose this course of study? ‘Even at school, I was passionate about chemistry. Actually, I wanted to go in that direction. But in counselling sessions and through my own research, I found out that there is a course of study that combines chemistry and engineering. And that appealed to me even more than just studying chemistry.’ He also couldn't imagine working as a ‘pure chemist’, as he adds: ‘I preferred to do something with a high practical relevance, to implement chemical reactions on an industrial scale, so to speak. Large-scale industrial production plants are more my thing than standing in a chemistry laboratory.’

He doesn't yet know what the topic of his master's thesis will be. He doesn't want to delve deeper into the research topic from his stay in Lithuania, even though it is very exciting, as he emphasises. ‘But the RPTU has so much more to offer. I want to take a look at other areas as well.’ Possibly in the field of thermodynamics. ‘After my master's, I might do a PhD. And after that, I would prefer to go into industry.’ He is also enthusiastic about research: ’I could imagine working in industry in the field of research and development. Or maybe I'll stay at the university and become a research assistant at one of the chairs or an affiliated institute. We'll see.’

Already third stay abroad

Why did he choose the RPTU as his place of study? ‘I come from the Hunsrück and I am very attached to my roots. That's why I wanted to stay close by,’ he laughs. ‘And when it comes to technical courses, Kaiserslautern is the best address.’ Nevertheless, he is not afraid of thinking outside the box: ‘Since I started studying, Lithuania is already my third stay abroad.’ He had already completed an internship in Spain and was in New Zealand for his bachelor's thesis: ‘It was about reaction kinetics and spectroscopy methods.’

All in all, Johannes Gutheil summarises, his course of studies has given him a broad base: ’The programme is very diverse. I also learn a lot from chemistry and biology.’ This means that you can go in different professional directions later on. ‘For example, in a pharmaceutical company. Or in pure mechanical engineering.’ Insights into different directions – but there is also a downside to this: ‘We get a broad overview. But it's not quite as in-depth as for someone who, for example, only studies chemistry or only biology.’

Degree programme offers many options

He particularly likes the fact that the course content can be put together relatively freely: the options are very flexible. Johannes Gutheil has chosen the direction of thermodynamics and process technology. ‘Others may go more into the chemical subjects. This freedom is there.’

In addition to his studies, Johannes Gutheil is involved in the RPTU's Brau-AG: ‘We brew our own beer for university parties. That can be 100 litres per brew.’ Speaking of fun and commitment: What would he recommend to prospective students in advance? ‘Studying is always a team effort. Make contacts so that you can discuss the subject matter together, for example.’ It's easy to meet like-minded people during the freshers' week, for example. “And of course, you should have a certain interest in chemistry and process engineering.” You should also be able to organise yourself: ’Unlike at school, you have to be very independent at university.’ However, the student council is there to help with any problems: ‘They also have exam papers from previous semesters that are very useful for preparing for your own exams.’ Johannes Gutheil is very happy with his studies at the RPTU: ‘It's been the best time I've had so far. And I want to enjoy it.’

Author: Christine Pauli