Building Conservation and Construction Work on Existing Buildings (MEng)

The concept of the degree program is based on the defined educational objectives, which require interdisciplinarity and practical relevance. It includes the teaching of specialized knowledge of different areas of building in existing structures and methodological as well as generic competences.

In recent years, the program has continuously changed its profile from "research-oriented" to "application-oriented" by strengthening the practical relevance in most modules. The majority of the master's theses chosen so far can also be described as applied research with a practical orientation.

The structure of the degree program and the study structure proved to be reasonable. It was shown that the full-time study program can be studied in three semesters. But the flexibility also allows a reasonable course of study to be extended over a four- or more-semester period of study if part-time study is pursued. Many of the students choose this form because there is a great interest in working while studying, sometimes in their own engineering offices. Many of the students also have to take care of family and children and reconcile this with the demands of everyday study.

The teaching, especially in the elective subjects, is supported not only by the professors but also by highly qualified specialists from practice, who often also help to supervise the students as second examiners for the master's theses.

In particular, the broad range of electives to be completed according to subject groups as well as the experimental courses in the department's laboratories provide students with excellent, broad scientific and practical expertise. The specialization deliberately allows for individuality in addition to generalist compulsory subjects. Not only the master's thesis, but also course work can be chosen from the students' own professional environment, thus linking practical requirements with theoretical knowledge and practical procedures.

The mandatory projects have a high value in the study program. They are directly related to practice. Due to the nature of the event, the ability to organize and work in a team, to independently organize work, to apply a wide variety of methods, to work scientifically and to document, to speak and to present is particularly promoted. When discussing the project presentations, a stimulating feedback culture is created. In the P1 project, the relocation from the daily work routine at the university to an unfamiliar environment also strengthens social interaction and the ability to deal with conflict. It became apparent that the students' enjoyment of their work and their motivation are particularly high in the projects.

The degree program strengthens and builds up the key competencies of the students, on the one hand through the structure of the study program itself, through the anchoring of additional competencies in individual subjects. Certificates of achievement in the form of presentations, project work with mixed teams of civil engineers and architects as well as men and women particularly promote independent action as well as teamwork and communication and presentation skills. In addition to teaching technical skills, the teaching staff increasingly recognizes its task in strengthening the key competencies of the students and is aware of its role model function in questions of teamwork and, above all, in the willingness to network.

The Master's program in Building Conservation and Construction Work on Existing Buildings does not turn architects into civil engineers or vice versa. However, due to its interdisciplinary approach, the program contributes significantly to a better understanding and cooperation between civil engineers and architects. Accordingly, the master's theses can have a different focus on more engineering calculation or on more design and planning for civil engineers or architects.

In the compulsory modules, students acquire the basic knowledge necessary for in-depth study in the field of building preservation and planning in existing buildings. The courses mainly take the form of lectures and project work, supplemented by seminars, excursions, exercises, and laboratory work.

Modules M.Bau 1 to M.Bau 8 are compulsory for both tracks. Modules M.Bau A, M.Bau B, and M.Bau C are additional compulsory modules for the Bau4 study track in order to achieve the remaining 30 ECTS required for the master's degree.

In the elective subjects, students have the opportunity to deepen their specialist knowledge in freely chosen subject areas on the one hand, and to acquire basic knowledge and insights into related subject areas and general skills on the other. Elective subjects are usually offered in the form of lectures, integrated courses, or seminars.

The modules in the free elective area offer students the opportunity to focus on areas of their own choosing. They can study modules from the field of civil engineering or architecture in greater depth, particularly elective modules from the program (especially M.Bau 13 Individualized Study I, M.Bau 14 Individualized Study II). Interdisciplinary modules from the Potsdam University of Applied Sciences (especially FLEX – Free Elective Area) or modules from other universities in Germany and abroad can also be selected here.

The program advisors and professors involved in the program support students in choosing suitable topics, establishing contact with potential cooperation partners, and with all practical or legal questions.