Digital Railway Systems

The degree program is a cooperation with Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, Bielefeld University and Paderborn University. Enrollment on the practice-integrated degree program takes place via an application to one of the cooperating companies.

In the practice-integrated degree program, students are employed by one of the cooperating companies for the entire duration of their studies. This allows them to grow into the company right from the start and combine academic training with professional practice. The aim is to apply the knowledge acquired in theory in practice and vice versa.

Information on internships and how to apply to the companies can be found on the company portal and via e-mail distribution lists for prospective students.

Further information can also be found on the Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences website:

• Digital Railway Systems degree program page
• Download center for all important documents about the degree program
• Information for prospective students

A-levels or entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences or a qualification recognized as equivalent. In addition, a contract with one of the cooperating companies.

1. Semester

• Introduction to the railroad system
• Electrical engineering
• Fundamentals of computer science
• Mathematics I
• Technical Mechanics I
• Fundamentals of natural sciences

2. Semester

• Metrology
• Technical Mechanics II
• Object-oriented programming
• Mathematics II
• Automotive engineering
• Practical module I

3. Semester

• Numerical mathematics and statistics
• Communication Technology
• Software engineering
• Sensors and actuators
• Railroad infrastructure (track, control and safety technology)
• Practical module II

4. Semester

• Modeling and simulation
• Signals and systems
• Software group project
• Machine and system dynamics
• Logistics and transportation systems
• Practical module III

5. Semester

• Project management
• Control engineering
• Basics of machine learning
• Basics of image processing
• Licensing and law, formal boundary conditions Railway operations
• Practical module IV

6. Semester

• Technical English     
• Business Administration            
• Practical module V  
• Final thesis              
• Colloquium

Final thesis:
The thesis is written in cooperation with the company. Students are supervised by a university lecturer. The nature and scope of the task is agreed between the company, the student and the supervising university lecturer. The scope of the thesis corresponds to 12 credits and a total workload of 360 hours.

Methodical competence

• You will be able to understand and systematically analyze existing technologies and technology concepts in the railroad sector.
• They have a basic knowledge of engineering sciences and practical computer science in the context of the railroad system.
• You will be able to design and evaluate system architectures in accordance with existing standards and regulations.

Technical competence

• You will be able to accompany the technology transfer between science and application.
• You know the individual parts of the rail system and how they interact.
• You will be able to understand new innovative railroad technology concepts and evaluate their economic benefits.
• They know how different sensors and actuators work and are able to integrate them into the railroad system using suitable hardware and software components.
• You will be able to extend the functional scope of mechanical and/or electrical systems on the basis of standardized algorithms.

Personal competence

• They organize their tasks and activities with the help of project and self-management methods.
• Graduates have holistic thinking and result-oriented action.
• They take responsibility for their own actions.
• They are able to develop innovative ideas and organize their learning process independently.

Social competence

• They are able to critically assess the impact of new technologies in terms of their added value for society.
• When developing new technologies, they can carry out an impact assessment, taking into account data protection, anti-discrimination and gender aspects.
• They are able to coordinate interdisciplinary teams.

Industrial companies, municipalities, authorities, mobility providers and rail companies are looking for specialists in the fields of engineering and IT, and there is an increasing demand for competent employees in the mobility sector. The focus here is on mobility systems with interfaces to rail transport, which can be used to sustainably improve mobility services. As graduates of the course acquire a broad knowledge of digitalization and rail systems during their studies, they are in demand as employees. The ever-increasing proportion of information processing in railroad technology systems, in particular the constantly growing proportion of data-processing components, requires engineers who have very good knowledge of electronic automation and control technology and computer science/digitalization. The Digital Railway Systems degree program trains engineers who meet these requirements for employers in various sectors of the economy with a connection to railroad technology. The main fields of activity for graduates are suppliers for railroad systems, railroad operations, train and wagon manufacturers, manufacturers of control and safety systems in the railroad sector, approval and testing bodies, authorities, planning offices, municipalities, but also companies in vehicle and automation technology and other mobility providers and service providers in the logistics sector. The corporate partners involved in RailCampus OWL are typical employers.