Since the first large-scale use of compuatational numerical methods for researching the effects that happen during nuclear fission in the Manhattan Project , Computer Simulationms are used as useful tools in many engineering disciplines. They help to determine otherwise incalculable risks and provide valuable insights into complex physical processes and have therefore become a driving force in technological advance.
These days computational simulation methods are an integral component of prdouct development processes for example in the air and space industry and the automotive industry. Prominent usage scenarios are improvements in driver safety and aerodynamics of vehicles. Decades of continous development in available computational power have enabled the use of simulations in other fields like chemistry and material sciences.
The numerous difficulties in the developement of numerical simulation methods, which range from an appropriate mathematical formulation of the problem and a numerical approximation of the solutions through to the visualization of the result, have led to to developements and advances of a multitude of methods in math, numerics and computergraphics. The program Computational Engineering does not only teach the necessary skills in computer science, but also knowledge in math and physics in order to enable the participants to understand existing methods and to participate in the international research process.
CE in Erlangen
The international master program Computational Engineering started at the Technical Faculty of the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg in 1997. An equal importance of computer science and an engineering discipline, the so called Technical Application Field (TAF), takes into account the increasing importance of the computer as a research and developement tool. In autumn of 1999 the postgraduate program has ben enhanced by an bachelor program and is therefore open to german students.
The Bachelor-Program Computational Engineering consists of three branches: Computer Science, Mathematics and an engineering field, the so-called Technical Application Field (TAF). The TAF is chosen after the second semester – this means that all CE-newbies do have the same course plans in their first two semester. Only then your plans may be different. This means that you do not have to decide right away, but you are given time to acclimate to the university and the life as a student. At the end of the second term, all different TAFs will be presented to you during the lecture “Computational Engineering II” and you will finally have to decide between:
- Optik und Photonik (Computational Optics)
- Informationstechnologie (Information Technology)
- Mechatronik (Mechatronics)
- Festkörpermechanik und Dynamik (Solid Mechanics and Dynamic)
- Thermo- und Fluiddynamik (Thermo- and Fluid Dynamics)
In these subjects you should apply your knowledge from your computer science and math courses and use it to be the interface between the different disciplines. Furthermore you are able to choose a part of your lectures more freely, based on a catalog of modules. It is then when you will have specific lectures according to your TAF as well. Lectures within the disciplines computer science and math, however, will stay the same for all CE students.
The lectures you chose are written into your personal study plan. This is done by the Bachelor guide Dr. Grosso. Further information can be found under Konzeptionellen Aufbau des Bachelor Studienganges or Studyguide.