Energy and Environmental Engineering 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 in engineering.

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

Renewable energy sources are becoming increasingly important for the stable and environmentally friendly supply of energy in the future. The development of efficient and environmentally friendly technologies for the use of renewable and, in a transitional phase, fossil energy resources represents the main challenge for specialists in the field of energy and environmental technology. The reliable and safe operation of radiation technology systems in industry, research and medicine also remains an important part of training in energy and environmental technology.

Solving the interesting and demanding tasks associated with this requires the training of qualified specialists. The Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences offers the Energy and Environmental Engineering degree course in conjunction with the recognized training occupations of "Recycling and Waste Management Specialist", "Wastewater Technology Specialist", "Water Supply Technology Specialist" and "Mechatronics Technician".

The contents:

• Low-emission technologies for energy generation: Planning, building, operating
• Innovative energy storage systems: Developing, optimizing, marketing
• Energy-efficient components and systems: Analyze, Understand, Improve

The basics:

• Engineering mathematics, natural sciences, languages
• Fundamentals of mechanical engineering
• Technical thermodynamics and fluid mechanics

The specialization:

• Energy and resource management
• Regenerative energy technology (sun/wind/water)
• Fundamentals of material conversion, radioactivity and radioecology
• Power plant technology and sustainable heat supply
• Energy systems engineering
• Complex practical course in energy and radiation technology

The Energy and Environmental Engineering degree course offers the opportunity to choose from two specializations. You only have to make this choice at the beginning of the 4th semester, so there is plenty of time to think about it:

• Major 1: Renewable energies and energy efficiency
• Major 2: Applied Radiation Technology

• 1st to 5th semester: basic studies and vocational training
• from 6th semester: specialist studies
• 7th semester: Practical semester
• 10th semester: Diploma thesis and defense

You will complete two training sections:

• Section I comprises the first 5 semesters. After the first semester at the university, you alternate between the university and the training company every 4 weeks in the following 4 semesters. At the university, you will attend lectures and exercises from the degree course; at the training company, you will acquire practical vocational skills. At the end of this training phase, after just 2½ years, you will have your first state-recognized professional qualification in your pocket when you pass the examination at the IHK/HWK. Our KIApro students use the KIA training sections in the company for professional assignments in their company.
• Section II is the continuation of studies in the Energy and Environmental Technology course as a full-time course with part-time work. You will complete this with a Bachelor of Engineering or Diplomingenieur (FH) degree.

You then have the option of continuing your studies with the Energy and Environmental Engineering Master's degree .

• 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 in accordance with §17(3) of the SächsHSFG must take part in a counseling interview for general university admission.

Job description

Chamber: IHK

Recycling and waste management specialists ensure that waste is disposed of and recycled correctly. They organize the collection and sorting of waste, recycle it or dispose of it in an environmentally friendly manner.

Recycling and waste management specialists mainly work for private and public waste disposal companies, waste incineration plants, recycling companies and recycling yards. They also work in companies that dispose of hazardous waste. They can also be employed in engineering offices for technical planning, for example.

Source: arbeitsagentur.de BERUFENET

Specialists in wastewater technology plan, monitor, control and document the processes in drainage networks and in wastewater and sewage sludge treatment in municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants. They check automated systems and machines at control stations and immediately take the necessary corrective measures in the event of deviations from standards. In sewage treatment plants, they monitor the treatment of water in the mechanical, biological and chemical treatment stages. They also analyse wastewater and sewage sludge samples, document the results, evaluate them and use the knowledge gained to optimize processes.

Job description

Chamber: IHK

Industrial mechanics manufacture components and assemblies for machines and production facilities, set them up or modify them. They monitor and optimize production processes and take on repair and maintenance tasks. Industrial mechanics are employed in companies in almost all manufacturing sectors.

Source: Berufenet employment agency

Job description

Chamber: IHK

Mechatronics technicians build complex mechatronic systems, e.g. robots for industrial production, from mechanical, electrical and electronic assemblies and components. They test the individual components and assemble them into systems and plants. They put the finished systems into operation, program them or install the associated software. They follow circuit diagrams and design drawings and check the systems carefully before handing them over to their customers. They also maintain and repair mechatronic systems.

Source: Berufenet employment agency