Civil Engineering, M.Sc.

Structural engineering (German: Konstruktiver Ingenieurbau- KIB) is the classic profession in civil engineering. Hardly any structure can be built and operated without expert planning, consulting and supervision by structural engineers. Bridges, tunnels, skyscrapers, energy supply facilities, industrial halls and multifunctional arenas that withstand storms, tidal waves and earthquakes require cost-conscious and environmentally compatible planning and execution as well as economical, sustainable and socially acceptable operation and maintenance. Civil engineers do this: they develop the essential foundations for political decision-making processes and conceive, design and implement technically, economically and ecologically balanced solutions based on mathematical and scientific principles. Each project poses individual economic and technical challenges that must be met with innovative solutions. Various disciplines of structural engineering such as solid construction, steel construction, structural analysis, building materials technology, foundation engineering and construction operations are interlinked in order to successfully carry out building projects.

Structural engineering is subject to constant further development, driven in particular by the digital transformation for the coming generations of planners and performers. The use of innovative materials and forward-looking construction methods as well as techniques requires optimal design, dimensioning and realization of load-bearing structures and is only possible in conjunction with accurate, model-adaptive material and process modeling in combination with efficient, computer-aided simulation methods. This is the only way to predict and control the actual behavior of complex structures. Based on the mathematical-scientific fundamentals, the specialization addresses topics of automation, digitalization as well as the development and application of AI-based methods in the design, planning, execution and operation of engineering structures. The graduates thus acquire the competences to solve future tasks of structural engineering in the national and international environment independently and in a team, as well as to develop the necessary methods and tools.

The foundation of complex buildings and the installation of infrastructure underground require civil engineers to deal professionally with geological and hydrogeological conditions in order to ensure stability and environmental compatibility. The properties of the natural ground material pose a particular challenge: the subsoil can be present as loose rock (gravel, sand, clay) and solid rock (bedrock) and can therefore have a wide variety of mechanical and hydraulic properties. For the respective construction task, a variety of exploration, calculation and design methods as well as construction methods are available, which have to be selected, adapted and further developed according to the situation at hand.

The geotechnical engineering and tunneling field of study includes the deepening of knowledge in soil and rock mechanics, the learning of modern numerical calculation methods, the presentation of the procedures of foundation engineering, tunneling and pipeline construction as well as the introduction to environmental geotechnics. In addition, the fundamentals of the operation and maintenance of existing infrastructure, such as tunnels and pipelines, are covered. At the Ruhr-University Bochum, this specialization is mainly supervised by three chairs, which contribute their respective expertise from different perspectives (recognizing and describing the behavior of the building material "soil", process engineering in underground construction and numerical calculation methods). In addition, state-of-the-art laboratory equipment and close links between current, practice-oriented research and teaching offer a variety of opportunities for student projects or theses.

Hydrology and Water Management

Water supply, flood protection, hydropower utilization, construction and maintenance of water management facilities and water bodies, restoration and preservation of water-dependent biotopes - the demands on engineers in the field of water management are increasing worldwide. To meet these challenges, specialized knowledge in hydrology, hydrometry, river basin management, geoinformatics, hydraulics, hydraulic engineering and aquatic ecology is required. As a basis for these subjects, mathematical and in particular stochastic knowledge, methods of operations research, simulation technology and computer science are required. Against the background of global change, not only methodological competences but also system-related thinking with reference to socio-economic and ecological objectives and boundary conditions are taught in this study program.

Urban Water Management

Urban water management includes drinking water treatment, water supply, wastewater discharge, wastewater treatment and water quality. All over the world, domestic and industrial wastewater has to be treated with great expertise and energy. The engineering challenge in urban water management is to further develop these processes of purification, to adapt technical facilities to local conditions and to manage them in a cost- and resource-oriented way. In addition to urban water management knowledge, expertise and experience in the fields of biology, chemistry, hydraulics and computer science are required. Students develop the competence to understand innovative process technologies and to put them into practice. Interdisciplinary issues are dealt with theoretically and practically in order to be able to answer upcoming challenges at home and abroad in an appropriate and sustainable manner.

Transport infrastructure is the lifeblood of the economy and society. The planning, construction and operation of transport infrastructure are the very own tasks of civil engineers. The rehabilitation and efficient utilization of existing transport infrastructure is becoming increasingly important compared to the construction and expansion of new transport routes.

Civil engineers specializing in transportation have the task of developing solutions that achieve high traffic quality, economic efficiency and environmental compatibility. In the practice of transportation today, aspects of environmental protection are often a main focus. From the knowledge that the capacity of roads is influenced by random factors, civil engineers derive important findings for optimizing traffic control in order to achieve reliable operation that is as trouble-free as possible.

The degree to which the capacity of the transport infrastructure is utilized is only one target. Minimizing the noise and pollutant load of road, rail and air traffic, especially in urban settlement and conurbation areas, is also an important challenge. Methods for determining and measures for reducing traffic noise pollution are essential tasks for civil engineers in transportation. Construction methods with optimized surface structures and special binder concepts are helpful tools for reducing noise pollution. Materials research, optimization of construction methods and time-minimized implementation of road construction measures are further important fields of activity with regard to an innovative and environmentally compatible transport infrastructure.

We strongly recommend doing the RUB-Check BI before enrolling, you can find it here.

Applicants with a qualified bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a comparable course of study from a scientific university after at least six semesters of study (three academic years, 180 ECTS) with a good or very good degree are eligible for admission. Equivalency is determined on the basis of the application documents submitted. If the bachelor's degree has not yet been completed, the application can be submitted with a transcript of records with at least 150 LP and an average grade weighted by LP.

The submitted bachelor's degree must include method- and research-oriented content amounting to at least

– 18 LP from the field of mathematic,
– 24 LP from the field of mechanics/fluid mechanics and structural analysis,
– 12 LP from the field of structural engineering and
– 12 LP from the fields of water management and transportation.

The bachelor's degree must be completed by 30.09., if applying for the winter term and by 31.03., if applying for the summer term.

The application for candidates with European citizenship and/or a degree with a start date in winter term must be submitted by 15.10., and with a start date in summer term by 15.04.

The application for candidates with a non-European nationality and/or a degree must be submitted by 15.07., for the start of the winter term and by 15.01., for the start of the summer term. Here you can find the deadlines and lecture times.

Information for prospective international students can be found here.

General information on the application process and further information can be found here under "Information Master Admission Procedure".

Information on the course of studies, such as the examination regulations, the curriculum and the module handbook of the study program can be found in the download area. In particular, the curriculum describes the organizational and content-related course of study and lists the compulsory, compulsory elective and elective modules. Detailed information on the modules that can be taken during the program can be found in the module handbook.

Your future employers could include construction companies, engineering and planning offices, public authorities and associations, universities and research institutes, public utilities, water supply and disposal companies, traffic and road construction companies, plant operators, energy suppliers, industrial companies, power plants, and many more.

Your possible areas of focus may include design / construction, economic and environmental thinking and action, computer simulations, sustainable construction, or materials analysis / materials research.

The master's program can be started in both the winter and summer term. The program is open admission, but an application is still required. Instructions on the application procedure and further information can be found here.

Participation in the mandatory master's advising interview is required for enrollment. You can find the dates here. The certificate of the mandatory counseling session is submitted online to the Student Secretariat by the Student Counseling Office.

You will be notified of the enrollment deadlines by your admission letter. The usual documents are required for enrollment (more here).

You can find the general deadlines as well as lecture times of the Ruhr-University Bochum here.