For information about the courses from the Department of Engineering and Management (BAE-courses) please visit the departements syllabi-homepage and the website of the International Study Program (ISP)

Course no. EEN2035
Level: Intermediate
ECTS-Credits: 3
Contact Hours: 60 total

Pre-requisites: Basic skills in software programming like C, JAVA, HTML; however project can
also be done by MS POWERPOINT using Command Buttons

Content: The lectures give an introduction in the development of Humina Machine Interfaces (HMI) and Graphical User Interface Design (GUI). These topics are essential for designing human interaction with software easy and hazzle-free. Sophisticated HMIs and GUIs are the key point when using software like automation in manufacturing (e.g. process visualization, machine control etc.) and on PCs and smartphones. Sluggish screen design and performance is often the reason why an operator needs much time or makes costly faults using software.
The lecture starts with fundamental concepts and human visual parameters and metrics(resolution, character size color, color coding) which are relevant for software front end screen design. The basics of Screen Design like navigation, windows (frames), controls, graphics, text input and output are presented using practical examples. However this theoretical background alone will not result in the competence to develop great HMIS and GUIs. Therefore the lecture is accompanied by an practical HMI/GUI project in groups of two or three students designing an implementation of a common task for all. The projects will be presented and evaluated within the course by the other students in terms of the classical methods like heuristic evaluation, cognitive walk-throughs and classic usability tests with users. This enables the students to develop effective software user interfaces.

Course no. CEN3245
ECTS-Credits: 3
Contact Hours: 60 total

Pre-requisites: formally: none, knowledge in some programming language is recommended

Content: This course introduces important concepts of web based client server programming. The concepts of page design with HTML and CSS is introduced. Client-sided Javascript is used to design interactive web pages. The Document Object Model is covered, as well as distributed applications based on server sided database (MYSQL) and PHP. Description of structured data via XML document type definitions and schemes is handled.

Course no. CEN3246
ECTS-Credits: 3
Contact Hours: 60 total

Content: C# is a modern, object-oriented programming language intended to create simple yet robust programs and frequently requested in job offers . C# is the core language of the Microsoft .NET framework.  In this course, students gain the skills to exploit the capabilities of C# and of the .NET Framework to develop programs useful for a broad range of desktop applications. Topics are: basic and advanced C# features, desktop programming using .NET frameworks WPF  and ADO.NET.

Course no. MEN3113
Level: Introductory
ECTS-Credits: 2
Contact Hours: 30 total

Content: Stamping integrates several manufacturing methods into one process with a single stroke of a press. The individual manufacturing methods included in stamping are blanking, forming (e.g. bending, stamping, deep drawing etc.) and joining. The mass manufacture of stamping parts is a highly-automated process. Products manufactured using pressing techniques can be found in almost all everyday objects. Contents of the lecture are: Basic principles of metallography and forming, material requirements for stamping parts, basic principles of blanking, forming techniques in stamping technology, joining techniques in stamping technology and basic principles of forming presses.

Course no. MEN3513
Level: Advanced
ECTS-Credits: 2
Contact Hours: 30 total

Pre-requisites: Additionally to paper and pencil an electronic calculator, as the students have to solve exercises making part of the lecture.

Content: Magnetic fields in electric machines: field equations; materials: electric sheets and permanent magnets; force generation; magnetic equivalent circuit (mec); modeling of a simple geometry using the mec and calculation of inductances and forces. Conclusions concerning the basic design of the cross-section of electric machines. Windings and coils: distributed and concentrated coils; electric isolation. Thermal aspects: losses generated in electric machines; cooling; thermal equivalent circuit (tec); modeling of a simple electric machine using the tec. Dimensioning of the shaft of an electric machine. Recapitulation of the mathematical model of brushed direct current (dc) machines. Models of the brushed alternating current (ac) universal machine; model of brush-less dc machines. From the dc machine to the permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) with field oriented control. Field-weakening of PMSM. Application examples of electric machines, especially of PMSM: in robots, in hybrid and fully electrified vehicles (automobiles, e-bikes, railway vehicles, …).

Course no. MEN3533
Level: Intermediate
ECTS-Credit: 2
Contact Hours: 30 total

Pre-requisites: Basic mechanics

Content: Introduction to automotive technology, requirements for automotive components, longitudinal and lateral vehicle dynamics, basic tire dynamics, basic design of drive train including gearbox, function of combustion engine (Otto and Diesel), alternative drive systems including hybrid and electric vehicles, brake systems and components, function of ABS and Electronic Stability Program, Driver Assistance Systems.

Course no. SSC1101
Level: Introductory
ECTS-Credits: 3
Contact Hours: 30 total

Content: The origins of modern Germany / Germany 1945, allied occupation, refugees and dislocation, »Grundgesetz« / Germany in the Cold War / The formation of the two German States 1947-49 / The West German »Wirtschaftswunder« and the Federal Republic’s west integration / The Adenauer chancellorship NATO membership, rearmament and European integration / Crises: The 68 Movement and the end of the »Wirtschaftswunder« / The new foreign policy: »Neue Ostpolitik« / Chancellor Brandt 1969-74 / Crisis at home / Chancellorship in a time of crises: Helmut Schmidt; the formation of the Greens / The last years of the GDR and German unification / Germany in the 21st century. This course will take place at different locations in Pforzheim, including visits to historical sites.

Course no. SSC1102
Level: Introductory
ECTS-Credits: 3 Contact Hours: 30 total

Content: The development of German Art from medieval times to the present and its European context: German art? Does this exist? About typical, national styles and European influences / Early traces, antique, Teutonic and Celtic influences / The Middle Ages – influences from France and some specific ways of mysticism / About 1500 – Renaissance, rebirth of the antiquity / Woodcut, art of etching. Visit to the studio of an artist / Baroque and classicism – the last European styles in the history of art /
Typical German, the so-called »Biedermeier« / Art Nouveau the so called »Jugendstil«, handcrafted furniture, architecture and jewellery / German avant-garde, expressionism, the art of »Brücke« and »Blauer Reiter« / After 1945, influences of the USA / Visit to »Konsumat« a new form of shop and art gallery / German art today.

Course no. SIC2011
Level: Introductory
ECTS-Credits: 2
Contact Hours: 30 total
Language: German, English, French or Spanish

Content: Foreign students are included in cross-cultural training at the university. This has the desired effect of bringing the international and German students together to participate in project work. The didactic goal when conducting this in English is improvement of communication skills (as opposed to language skills – these are pre-requisites). The training is organized in groups of approximately 20 participants in an alternating block on half days. The basic form consists of four or six lecture units on two or three dates per semester. One training group is split up into smaller groups. Between the dates, these small groups receive cross-cultural work assignments plus an individual presentation / task. The contents of cross-cultural training consist of culturally relevant standard situations such as greetings, dates, thanking, opening a conversation, conversation strategies, etc. Additionally, the course covers communication situations from the business world, for example negotiations, meetings.