Distance learning program Reliability engineering (M.Eng.) – zfh

👉 The Master's programme in Reliability Engineering is aimed at engineers and technical executives with a technical bachelor's or diploma degree and professional experience. The focus is on methods to ensure the reliability and functional safety of technical systems. You will learn about system development, reliability engineering, quality management, legal and business aspects, as well as project management. The part-time distance learning programme comprises 120 ECTS credits, starts in both the summer and winter semesters, and requires attendance days at the universities in Darmstadt and Aschaffenburg. New enrolments are currently not possible, as the content will in future be integrated into the Master's programme in Electrical Engineering. The costs amount to 2,300 euros per semester.

At a Glance

🏫 Provider Centre for Distance Learning in the University Consortium, Academic institution based in Koblenz (Germany)
The Centre for Distance Learning in the University Consortium, zfh, founded in 1995 and based in Koblenz, is a scientific institution of the states of Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, and Hesse. The zfh promotes and supports the development and implementation of distance learning in these federal states and cooperates with 18 universities of applied sciences.
📋 Study Format Distance learning program
🎓 Field of Study Technology & InformaticsElectrical Engineering
📜 Degree Master of Engineering (M.Eng.)
⏳ Duration 6 Semesters
🎯 ECTS 120 Credit Points
🌍 Language of Instruction German
📖 Course contents Here is the translated text in English (en-GB): Situation-related communication, presentation and moderation, personnel management, software engineering, embedded systems, materials science, stochastics, introduction to reliability engineering, causes of failure in electrical systems and their analysis, quantitative and qualitative methods of reliability engineering, reliability of mechanical systems, overall consideration, design and implementation of safety functions, operational safety, safety in embedded systems, from a technical perspective, from a human perspective, project management, standards-compliant development of technical systems, working with standards, introduction to quality management, process management, reporting and key performance indicators, introduction to business administration, human resource management, corporate management, labour law, liability law, selected application cases, master's thesis with colloquium
👥 In-person sessions 8 days on site per semester
📅 Enrollment Winter or summer semester
💶 Fees
from 13586 € total
🔗 More Info View Vendor Profile

Who is the distance learning programme Reliability Engineering suitable for?

This Master’s degree course is aimed at engineers as well as technical specialists and managers who are already working in the fields of electrical engineering, mechatronics, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering or technical computer science. The programme is particularly suitable for professionals who wish to specifically expand their methodological skills in system reliability, functional safety and quality management in order to responsibly assess, develop and secure complex technical systems. It targets individuals who take on or aspire to take on demanding tasks in manufacturing companies, the service sector or in project management of technical systems.

What are the formal admission requirements?

For admission you need a successfully completed Bachelor’s or Diploma degree in a relevant technical programme, for example in:

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Mechatronics
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Technical Computer Science
  • Industrial Engineering (technical focus)

In addition, relevant professional experience is required. This can

  • cover at least nine months after your first university degree or
  • be proven through several years of professional activity within a dual Bachelor’s programme.

In exceptional cases, access is also possible for professionally qualified applicants following individual assessment.

Personally, you should bring the following prerequisites:

  • Interest in and understanding of complex technical systems
  • Experience in the technical professional environment and willingness to take on responsibility for safety and quality
  • Communication and teamwork skills for interdisciplinary collaboration
  • Self-responsible, structured working as well as perseverance for a multi-year, part-time programme
  • Willingness to participate actively in regular on-site phases and to familiarise yourself with new subject-specific and management-related topics

What content can you expect in the Distance Learning in Reliability Engineering?

The distance learning course in Reliability Engineering provides you with comprehensive skills to ensure the technical reliability and functional safety of complex systems. You will engage with methods to achieve high reliability in (electro-)technical systems and develop interface competencies related to legal and economic topics. The curriculum is based on the VDI guideline 4002 and combines subject-specific and methodological content with management aspects:

  • Communication: Situation-related communication, presentation, moderation and staff management
  • System development: Software engineering and embedded systems
  • Basics of reliability: Materials science, stochastics, introduction to reliability engineering
  • Reliability engineering: Causes of failure in electrical systems, methods for failure analysis, reliability of mechanical systems
  • Functional safety: Safety requirements in systems, design and implementation of safety functions, operational safety, safety in embedded systems
  • The human factor: Technical and human influences on reliability
  • Project management and teamwork: Project management, standards-compliant system development, working according to technical standards
  • Quality management: Introduction to quality management, process management, key performance indicator systems
  • Business administration: Fundamentals, personnel management and corporate management
  • Law: Labour law and liability law in a technical context
  • Elective modules: Specialisation through selected application examples
  • Master’s thesis: Independent research or development work with a colloquium

How is the structure of the distance learning course designed?

The master’s degree is designed as a part-time course over six semesters with a total of 120 ECTS credits. You combine self-study with mandatory attendance phases. Eight attendance days per semester are planned, taking place on Fridays and Saturdays at Hochschule Darmstadt, Hochschule Aschaffenburg or with partner companies.

  • The didactic concept includes compact lectures, exercises, laboratory experiments as well as team projects.
  • You prepare the learning content through self-study using study materials and accompanying e-learning offers.
  • Attendance phases are intended for practical deepening, application and networking with lecturers and fellow students.
  • The course can alternatively be taken modularly as a certificate study (without a master's degree).
  • Lecturers are university professors as well as experts from industry, research and associations.
  • The qualification awarded is the internationally recognised Master of Engineering (M.Eng.).

Which career paths does the course in Reliability Engineering open up for you?

With a master’s degree in Reliability Engineering, you qualify for demanding roles in the development, analysis and optimisation of technical systems with regard to safety and fault tolerance. Typical areas of activity arise in:

  • Manufacturing companies in the electrical, automotive and mechanical engineering sectors
  • Industry and service companies with high requirements for system reliability
  • Fields such as quality assurance, product development, system integration and safety management
  • Technical project management and leadership of development and safety teams
  • Technical consultancy and auditing as well as acting as an interface between technology, management and law

The academic degree Master of Engineering also qualifies you for entry into the higher public service and serves as a prerequisite for a doctorate at universities.

What costs occur and how can you finance the course?

The tuition fees amount to €2,300 per semester, plus a student contribution of about €143 per semester. Over the full standard period of study of six semesters, this results in a total amount of around €13,586. Funding options such as scholarships, educational loans or coverage by the employer are possible. The study costs can usually be claimed as tax-deductible work-related expenses.

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