Dresden Engineering Program

On all our Dresden Programs, students study at the Technische Universität Dresden (TUD), one of the oldest and most prestigious technical universities in Germany. The program offers a semester of study in the culturally rich city of Dresden, Germany. It’s designed for engineering students who wish to combine engineering coursework in English with the study of German. It is further designed to fit neatly into engineering students’ existing curriculum and requirements.

Program Curriculum

After completing the intensive German language course and The Social Nature of Technology course, engineering students will choose three out of six courses at Technische Universität Dresden (TUD). Students also participate in field trips to research institutions, technical museums, and companies to gain insight into the past, present, and future of engineering technologies. Note: Syllabi are for course approval and reference only. Students will receive up-to-date syllabi when their courses begin.

Required Courses

Students take these required courses simultaneously.

CAS LG 113: Intensive Beginning German (4 credits)

Part I: Eight-week intensive German course for beginners or according to placement test results. Introduction to grammar, vocabulary, and structure of German, emphasizing the basic communication skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Part II: Continuation of the study and practice of speaking, writing, listening, and reading German. Includes conversational dialogues, reading of short texts, grammar sessions, and compositions. Meets two hours a week for the remainder of the semester. Syllabus

CAS SO 315: The Social Nature of Technology (4)

The course provides insights in the historical, cultural, and social dimensions of technological development in Germany. It combines excursions to relevant facilities of the production, use, and exposition of technological innovations with lectures and seminars on the relations among technology, innovations, and industrialization in Germany. The course will be organized on the basis of excursions and seminars prepared by the students and lectures given by the instructor or guest lecturers. During the project part of the course, students are to prepare a dossier reflecting their experiences and insights gained during the excursion. Students’ work will be used as a basis for the lectures/seminars in the seminar part of the course.
Part I: Field trips to designated museums, companies, and research institutions (once a week for six weeks).
Part II: Examines technology as a fundamental element of German society. The course includes lectures and seminars on the relation of science, technology, and society. Syllabus

Elective Courses

While enrolled in CAS SO 315 above, students also enroll in three elective courses. All courses are taught in English:

CAS MA 226: Differential Equations (4)

(Prerequisite: CAS MA 225 or MA 230.) First-order linear and separable equations. Second-order equations and first-order systems. Linear equations and linearization. Numerical and qualitative analysis. Laplace transforms. Applications and modeling of real phenomena throughout. (Cannot be taken for credit in addition to CAS MA 231.) Syllabus

CAS MA 242: Linear Algebra (4)

(Prerequisite: CAS MA 122, CAS MA 124, CAS MA 127, or CAS MA 129. Offered on an enrollment basis.) Matrix algebra, solution of linear systems, determinants, Gaussian elimination, fundamental theory, row-echelon form. Vector spaces, bases, norms. Computer methods. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors, canonical decomposition. Applications to differential and difference equation problems. (Cannot be taken for credit in addition to CAS MA 142 or ENG EK 102.) Antje Noack. Syllabus

CAS PY 313: Waves and Modern Physics (4)

(Prerequisites: CAS PY 211, CAS PY 212 and CAS MA 124, or the equivalent.) Focuses on waves and physical optics, relativistic mechanics, experimental foundations of quantum mechanics, atomic structure, physics of molecules and solids, atomic nuclei, and elementary particles. Taught in English. Freiesleben. Syllabus Lecture Schedule

ENG BE 209: Principles of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology (4)

(Prerequisites: high school biology and at least one semester of college chemistry.) For biomedical engineers. Principles of cell and molecular biology and biochemistry emphasizing biomolecules, the flow of genetic information, cell structure and function, and cell regulation. Three hours lecture, three hours lab. 2nd semester only. Course Syllabus Lab Syllabus

ENG ME 304: Energy and Thermodynamics (4)

(Prerequisite: CAS PY 211. Corequisite: CAS MA 225. Offered on an enrollment basis.) Macroscopic treatment of the fundamental concepts of thermodynamic systems. Zeroth, first, and second laws; properties of simple compressible substances; entropy; energy availability; ideal gas mixtures and psychrometrics; and thermodynamic cycles. Application to engines, refrigeration systems, and energy conversion. Includes lab. Syllabus

ENG EK 307: Electric Circuits (4)

(Prerequisite: ENG EK 125. Corequisite: CAS MA 226, or the equivalent.) Introduction to electric circuit analysis and design; voltage, current, and power; element I-V curves, circuit laws, and theorems; energy storage; frequency domain, frequency response, transient response, sinusoidal steady state and transfer functions; and operational amplifiers, design. Includes lab. Taught in English. Schwarz. Syllabus Course Schedule

Program Details

Requirements
  • Ideally suited for second-semester sophomore engineering and science students
  • German language knowledge is not required
  • Select courses carry prerequisites
  • Admissions requirements for all programs
Program Dates
  • Spring Semester: early February to late July
    • Depart U.S.: February 10, 2013
    • Program Arrival: February 11, 2013
    • Depart Germany: July 21, 2013

Please note that this program is only offered during the spring semester.
Cost
Credits
  • Upon successful completion of the program, students earn twenty Boston University credits. Students must enroll for a total of twenty credits.
Housing
  • Program participants live in the university dormitories. Students receive room and board stipends, which may be used to buy food at student cafeterias, or students can shop at grocery stores or markets in Dresden and prepare their meals in the guesthouse kitchens.
Application Deadlines
  • Spring Semester: October 1

Please Note: After October 1, applications will continue to be accepted on a space-available basis. Notification of admissions begins after the application deadline.

Download a description of the Dresden Engineering Program.

Program Faculty & Staff

The Boston University Dresden Programs are administered by staff in both our Boston and Dresden offices. In Boston, a program manager facilitates the admissions and pre-departure procedures, and maintains contact with students prior to their arrival in Dresden. The Boston office also houses administrative personnel who are responsible for everyday operations. In Dresden, the staff comprises a resident director and administrative, academic, and housing personnel.

Faculty & Staff Profiles

Alissa Kramer, Program Manager

Overseas Staff

Faculty

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