Automation and Mechatronics Diploma dual study program (KIA)

KIA is a dual university degree program with a degree in engineering (FH) after 5 years - with integrated vocational training (including IHK/HWK qualification).
It combinestheory and practice very intensively , creates an early bond with the future company and is therefore recommended by the state government of the Free State of Saxony and expressly demanded by companies.

Our future KIA students apply to a company cooperating with the university up to one year before the start of their studies, have the university entrance qualification, are interested in scientific problems and have the necessary mobility.

The companies conclude a cooperation agreement with the university and contracts for practical vocational training (vocational training contract or internship contract) or - in the case of _KIApro- a qualification contract with the applicants.

After concluding a training contract or internship contract with the company, you must register at the university with your university entrance qualification - this is possible from mid-May.

The degree course usually begins on 01.09. with a 4-week practical training period at the company. Depending on the degree course, you will then complete one to three semesters at the university.(Course of study)

The study-free periods between the semesters are reserved for practical training in the company. The training in the company takes place during the basic studies according to the study schedule (e.g. in a 4-week rotation between the company and the university) and ends with the examination before the responsible chamber (IHK or HWK). Separate vocational school lessons are not provided. The theoretical vocational knowledge required for the vocational training is taught through the scheduled lectures and additional "vocational specifics" courses at the university. During the practical training period, you will be entitled to the collectively agreed vacation and will receive amonthly salary from the company, which is based on the salary for apprentices. 

After completing the vocational training, the remaining semesters are completed as full-time studies with part-time work (often with a study sponsorship agreement from your company) and end with the desired university degree Diplom-Ingenieur-/in (FH).

For accommodation at the study locations Görlitz and Zittau, halls of residence are available; we have also reserved shared rooms for you in the  KIA houses .

1st - 5th semester (2½ years; 3 semesters): Basic studies in electrical engineering

• Engineering fundamentals in mathematics, physics and mechanics
• Fundamentals of electrical engineering, measurement technology, computer science
• Economic basics, foreign languages, general scientific basics 

from 6th semester (4th semester): subjects specific to the specialization

7th semester (5th semester): Practical semester

10th semester: final thesis and its defense at the university or in a company

The following fields of study are possible for the Automation and Mechatronics degree program:

Specialized studies - Mechatronics  (advanced alternative 1)

• Regulation and control technology (sensor/actuator technology, modeling/simulation, control technology II, control technology II)
• Information technologies (software technology, image processing, soft computing)
• Mechanical engineering and project work (project planning, project management, design/CAD, machine elements) 

Specialized studies - Automation Technology/Industry 4.0 (advanced alternative 2)

• Process technology (process automation/process analysis, process automation in energy technology, control engineering II, control technology II)
• Intelligent information technology (control systems/industrial data communication, communication networks, building automation/energy management, soft computing, image processing)
• Project management

You go through two phases:

• Phase I comprises the first 2.5 years of study. After half a year of study at the university, you will alternate between the university and your training company every 4 weeks for the following 2 years. At the university, you will attend lectures and tutorials on the automation and mechatronics course, while at the training company you will acquire practical vocational skills. At the end of this training phase, after just 2.5 years, you will have passed the examination at the IHK/HWK and have your first state-recognized vocational qualification in your pocket. Our KIApro students use the training periods provided for KIA in the company for professional assignments in their company.
• Phase II (from the 4th semester) starts with the continuation of your studies in your degree program. This means that you complete a "normal" full-time course of study. You will complete this after a further 2.5 years with the degree of Diplomingenieur/-in (FH).

• General or subject-specific higher education entrance qualification or entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences or admission test.
• Applicants with a qualification as a technician, business economist, master craftsman or similar. Completion of advanced vocational training according to §18(3) of the SächsHSFG must take part in a counseling interview for general university admission.

The company is still keeping the choice of training occupation open. It is only certain that it will be an electrical profession.

Job description

Electronics technicians for automation technology integrate automation solutions in production, process, transport and building technology. In advance, they analyze functional relationships and process sequences and design modifications and extensions. They install and parameterize drives as well as measurement, control and regulation equipment. They also install, configure, program and adjust sensor,
operating and bus systems as well as networks. They integrate the installed components and devices and incorporate them into higher-level systems. After test runs, they hand over the systems and instruct users in their operation.

Their tasks also include the maintenance and regular testing of systems, fault analysis using test software and diagnostic systems as well as the repair of systems. They carry out their activities independently in compliance with the relevant regulations and safety provisions and coordinate their work with upstream and downstream areas. They are qualified electricians as defined by the accident prevention regulations.

Electronics technicians for automation technology work in companies that develop and manufacture or use automation solutions. In particular, companies in the plant and mechanical engineering sector come into consideration. However, there are also jobs
in the automotive industry, the chemical industry and the metallurgical and semi-finished products industry. They work in factory halls, at control stations and in a wide variety of production facilities. In customer service, they work at different locations, sometimes outdoors.

Source: Training and job description from the Federal Employment Agency

Job description

Whether electrical power supply, industrial operating systems or modern building systems and automation technology - electronics technicians for industrial engineering ensure that electrical systems are professionally installed and maintained. When a building or plant is newly constructed or converted, they draw up designs for modifications and extensions. They install cable routing systems, energy and information lines as well as the electrical equipment of machines with associated automation systems. They also organize the assembly of systems and monitor the work of service providers and other trades. In addition, electronics technicians for industrial engineering assemble and wire switching and automation devices. They program and configure systems, check their function and safety equipment.
Finally, they hand over the systems and instruct the users in their operation.
The monitoring and regular testing of power installations, signaling and communication systems and measurement and control technology systems are just as much a part of their tasks as the analysis of faults and the repair of installations. They also advise their clients in customer service. They carry out their activities independently in compliance with the relevant regulations and safety provisions and coordinate their work with upstream and downstream areas. They are qualified electricians as defined by the accident prevention regulations.
Electronics technicians for industrial engineering can work anywhere where production and operating systems are used, built and maintained. These can be power stations and transformer stations, chemical and process engineering plants, mining companies and all branches of the manufacturing industry. They work in factory halls and in customer service at various locations, sometimes outdoors.

Source: Training and job description from the Federal Employment Agency

Job description

Electronics technicians for devices and systems plan and control processes in the production and maintenance of, for example, information and communication technology or medical devices. They organize production processes, set up production and testing machines and are involved in quality assurance. Electronics technicians for devices and systems work together with and support developers in the realization of orders and the analysis of required functionalities. They produce samples and one-offs, select mechanical, electrical and electronic components and assemble them into systems. In addition to installing and configuring programs and operating systems, testing components and preparing device documentation, their tasks also include creating layouts and production documents. They are also responsible for repairs. In customer service and when repairing devices, they systematically narrow down the sources of faults with the help of testing and measuring devices and diagnostic software. They replace defective parts, check all functions, advise customers and instruct users.
Furthermore, they organize the procurement of components and equipment, are able to work with English-language documents and communicate in English. They carry out their activities independently in compliance with the relevant regulations and safety provisions and coordinate their work with upstream and downstream areas. They are qualified electricians as defined by the accident prevention regulations.
Electronics technicians for devices and systems mainly work in medium-sized and larger industrial companies that manufacture and maintain information and communication technology devices, medical devices, electronic system components, sensors and actuators, microsystems as well as measuring and testing devices. There they work in the areas of production, testing, repair, quality assurance, testing and laboratories and work in workshops or development and testing laboratories. They can also work directly on the customer's premises in maintenance and repair.

(Source: Training and job description from the Federal Employment Agency)

Job description

Electronics technicians for machines and drive technology carry out all activities involved in the assembly, commissioning and maintenance of electrical machines and drive systems. Before starting work, they analyze customer requirements and design suitable drive systems.
They set up production machines, e.g. for armature windings of electric motors,
record the machine and winding data, catalog them and produce the required windings. They are responsible for the assembly and disassembly of electrical machines, assemble mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical and electronic components, commission electrical machines, assemble drive systems, install cables and other equipment. They are able to deal with English-language documents such as manuals or order data. Electronics technicians for machines and drive technology create, modify and monitor control and regulation technology programs, set (parameterize) frequency converters and commission drive systems. Their area of responsibility also includes the (remote) diagnosis of faults and systematic troubleshooting
on electrical machines and complex drive systems and their maintenance, servicing and monitoring in operational use.

Electronics technicians for machines and drive technology carry out their work independently in accordance with
the relevant regulations and safety requirements and coordinate their work with upstream and downstream areas. They are qualified electricians as defined by the accident prevention regulations.

Employment opportunities are primarily found in companies in the electrical engineering trade and the electrical industry with a corresponding range of products and services. There they work mainly in workshops or workshops, during assembly work on construction sites, in customer service at changing locations. However, they are also in demand as electrotechnical specialists in other, non-electronic sectors, e.g. in the metal industry.

(Source: Training and job description from the Federal Employment Agency)

Job description

The field of activity of mechatronics engineers includes tasks and requirements from electrical engineering/electronics, mechanics and control and information technology. Mechatronics technicians work in particular in mechanical and plant engineering, in the chemical industry and in the automotive industry. They install and assemble mechatronic machines, plants and systems. Examples include programmable machine tools and special machines (sometimes with transport equipment such as conveyor belts) or automated production equipment such as dosing systems for plastics production and processing (e.g. granulate, films and packaging). They plan the workflow, determine the required materials and tools or measuring and testing equipment. In production, mechatronics engineers assemble assemblies and devices into complex machines. They make mechanical and electrical connections, for example for supply and disposal equipment such as units or for coolants. They select and wire cables. They assemble electrical, mechanical, pneumatic and hydraulic components and install or connect these systems. You put devices, machines and systems into operation, maintain them and keep them in good working order. They check the systems and manufactured connections for functionality and carry out quality control.

Source: Beruf Aktuell issue 99/00