Embedded Systems Design (M. Sc.)

Embedded Systems? What does this mean?

From washing machines to satellites - there is hardly any product or machine on the market that is not equipped with integrated digital technology or software determining its function and performance. Embedded systems are omnipresent in technical installations and utilities and, as „hidden“ systems, form a key technology in terms of product innovations in mechanical and plant engineering as well as in medical and scientific devices and instruments. The University of Applied Sciences Bremerhaven supports and furthers such development with the Master Programme „Embedded Systems Design“. An embedded system includes mechanical or mechatronic systems which assume its essential function through open or closed loop control using electronic components as well as the required software. Modules such as Digital Systems/VHDL, System-on-Chip Design, mechatronic and discrete control systems enable students to develop and implement innovative embedded systems.

Study Content
In the first semester of the ESD Master‘s programme, a sound foundation is laid for the application-oriented courses in the second semester. In modules such as Safety and Reliability, Mechatronics or Digital Systems, the participants mainly first learn about process-independent theory. Based on the basic knowledge of the Bachelor‘s programme, the existing knowledge is deepened and completed in the first semester in order to master the relevant subjects at the Master‘s level. In the second semester, the applica tion modules from the areas of industrial systems, scientific systems and medical devices follow, focusing on three labour market points. Cross-departmental qualifications in the form of project planning and management, teamwork, technical documentation and presentation are part of ‘Requirements Engineering‘ and the Embedded Systems Project. The Master’s thesis is written in the third semester.

1. Semester
Mechatronics, Discrete Control Systems, Digital Systems / VHDL, System-on-Chip-Design, Model Based Software Development / Real-time Software, Safety and Reliability

2. Semester Industrial Systems, Medical Systems, Maritime Systems, Requirements Engineering, Embedded Systems Project, 

3. Semester
Master Thesis

Focus

ESD focuses on the design of embedded systems for the industrial, scientific and medical market (ISM market). ESD in Bremerhaven concentrates on industrial, medical, and scientific devices. This makes ESD not a mere „computer science“ program. Beside VHDL and system-on-chip (SoC), software development techniques, topics like mechatronics, advanced discrete control theory, safety and reliability are essential parts of ESD.