Studying mechanical engineering: "Searching creatively for solutions at the heart of the times"

"I wanted to be creatively challenged. And to search for new solutions and approaches at the heart of the times" - is how Victoria Schröder explains why she decided to study mechanical engineering at RPTU University Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU). Indeed, her degree program offers interesting insights into the technologies of the future - whether it's vehicle technology, energy saving or aerospace. Victoria Schröder will soon have her degree in the bag - a job as a research assistant is already waiting for her.

"Half of my family has a professional background in medicine. The other half has a background in mechanical engineering," says 25-year-old Victoria Schröder, who was good at math and physics herself at school - "but I was also very interested in art and medicine". After her Abitur, her family also saw her in the field of mechanical engineering. But she herself was initially skeptical: "I think it was a kind of backlash when I initially went in the direction of medicine." She completed her federal voluntary service at a university hospital. "But I quickly realized that this wasn't the right path for me." Because: "I preferred to be creatively challenged. And look for new solutions and approaches at the heart of the times." She gave studying mechanical engineering a chance - initially for one semester. "That was a kind of test for me." It quickly became clear: "This is exactly the right thing." She is very satisfied with RPTU as a place to study, adds the Saarland native from St. Ingbert: "The train connections from St. Ingbert to Kaiserslautern are very good. You can commute."

Choosing from seven areas of expertise in the Bachelor's degree

She is now in her eleventh semester - the diploma degree program that is still being phased out, the contents of which have now been transferred to the Bachelor's and Master's degree programs in the "Mechanical and Process Engineering" department. "At the beginning of the course, you have basic subjects. Higher mathematics or technical mechanics. Here you can fill your toolbox for the rest of your studies," says Victoria Schröder, describing her experiences at the beginning of the course. From the fifth semester onwards, Bachelor's students can also set their own focus and choose one of the seven areas of expertise - product development, automotive engineering, materials science and materials engineering, production engineering, computational engineering, applied computer science, mechatronics and automation technology. "In the Master's degree, you can then deepen these areas even further," adds Victoria Schröder.

Understanding theory even better through practical work

As a graduate student, she studied fluid mechanics in depth. "We were able to work on simulations in groups." For example, we worked on flow simulations through pipes. "The meshing of components also has an impact on the simulations." The students were able to explore how all of this can be solved with the help of digital possibilities: "We saw what tools are available. We got to know the programs that are important for such simulations."

Victoria Schröder was also able to gain her first experience of practical work as a student assistant at the Chair of Machine Elements, Gears and Tribology (MEGT), helping out in the lab herself: "It was great to see how what I had learned on paper could be implemented directly."

And what is the most challenging thing about studying? "Organizing yourself. For example, we have project work for which there is no specific deadline." The self-management this requires is not always easy.

Final thesis on plastic gears - then comes the doctoral thesis

Her thesis, which is due to be completed in December 2024, is about plastic gears. For example, Victoria Schröder is investigating "what loads their material is exposed to." The aim is to characterize the complex material behaviour of plastics and their damage mechanisms - and also to simulate material behaviour.

Victoria Schröder then has the prospect of a position as a research assistant - at the Chair of "Machine Elements, Transmissions and Tribology" at RPTU. She can use the research projects she will be working on there for her doctoral thesis: "In terms of content, it's about the potential for saving energy by reducing friction and wear. There is still a lot that can be done." And she adds: tribology, i.e. the study of wear, friction and lubrication of surfaces, can be found everywhere, including in medicine. "You'll also be in demand in many companies later on."

And what other directions can you take with a degree in mechanical engineering? "With process engineering, you could go in the direction of bioengineering or chemical engineering." With a focus on production engineering, there is a lot of computer science. It is also possible to go into materials science and materials engineering. "Automotive engineering is also popular with a later career in the automotive industry."

RPTUzero orientation program helps with orientation

And what should prospective students know in advance? How can they get started with their studies? Victoria Schröder reports that she has already heard a lot of good things about the one-semester RPTUzero orientation course: "It gives you an initial insight into university life and the opportunity to network." And what else should you bring with you to be prepared for studying mechanical engineering? "You should be open-minded. And don't be afraid to ask older students for help. There's a good community in our department, so that's not a problem." If you have gaps in your knowledge at the beginning of your studies, you can fill them with the help of courses such as the math pre-courses. With the right motivation, Victoria Schröder attests that everything is achievable - and she adds: "The most important thing for studying is that you don't lose your desire and enthusiasm for it."