Studying has been my best time so far

Johannes Gutheil is currently completing a three-semester Master's degree program in biological and chemical engineering at 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. He advises prospective students: "Studying is always a team effort. Look for like-minded people to exchange ideas with."

RPTU Master's student Johannes Gutheil has been researching at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University in Lithuania since the end of August 2024. "I'm 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 completing a student project here in Vilnius, which is being tackled before the Master's thesis in my degree program." The whole thing is being funded by Erasmus Plus. What is the content? "I'm working on particle agglomeration. We are trying to use an electric field to ensure that several small particles come together to form larger particles. This should increase the filterability of these particles." For example, particles that are produced during combustion in engines - which are made up of carbon or organic substances: "If they are too small, such particles could be harmful to health. If they get into the lungs, for example," explains Johannes Gutheil, who already has a Bachelor's degree in Biological and Chemical Engineering.

Combining chemistry and engineering

Why did he choose this subject? "I was already enthusiastic about chemistry at school. I actually wanted to go in this direction. However, during counseling sessions and my own research, I found out that there is a degree program that combines chemistry and engineering. And that appealed to me even more than studying chemistry alone." He also couldn't imagine working as a "pure chemist", as he adds: "I wanted to do something with a high level of practical relevance, to implement chemical reactions on an industrial scale, so to speak. Large production plants in industry are more my thing than working in a chemistry lab."

He does not yet know what the topic of his Master's thesis will be. He doesn't want to delve any deeper into the research topic from his stay in Lithuania. Even if it is very exciting, as he emphasizes. "But RPTU has so much more to offer. I would like to look into other areas." Possibly in the direction of thermodynamics. "After my Master's, I might do a doctorate. And then I would love to go into industry." He is also enthusiastic about research: "I could imagine working in research and development in industry. 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 his third stay abroad

Why did he choose to study at RPTU? "I come from the Hunsrück region and am very close to home. That's why I wanted to stay close by," he laughs. "And when it comes to technical degree programs, Kaiserslautern is the best place to go." Nevertheless, he is not afraid to think outside the box: "Lithuania is already my third stay abroad since I started studying." He had previously completed an internship in Spain - and was in New Zealand for his Bachelor's thesis: "There I worked on reaction kinetics and spectroscopy methods."

Johannes Gutheil sums up his degree program as broadly based: "The course is very diverse. I also learn a lot from chemistry and biology." Later on, you can therefore go in different directions professionally. "For example, into a pharmaceutical company. Or into pure mechanical engineering." Insights into different directions - but that also has a downside: "We get a broad overview. But it's not quite as in-depth as someone who only studies chemistry or biology, for example."

Degree programs offer many options

What he particularly likes about his degree program is that the course content can be put together relatively freely: This is because you are very flexible in the elective area. Johannes Gutheil opted for thermodynamics and process technology. "Others might go more into the chemistry subjects. There is this freedom."

In addition to his studies, Johannes Gutheil is involved in the RPTU brewing club: "We brew our own beer for university festivals. That can be 100 liters per brew." Speaking of fun and commitment: what can 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." You can get to know like-minded people during the Freshers' Days, for example. "And of course you should have a certain interest in chemistry and process engineering." You should also be able to organize yourself: "Unlike at school, you have to be very independent at university." However, the student council can help with problems: "They also have exam papers from previous semesters that can be used to prepare for your own exams." Johannes Gutheil is very satisfied with his studies at RPTU: "This is the best time I've had so far. And I want to enjoy it."