Good start for new Master's degree at the HSZG

With an interdisciplinary student body consisting of seven ecologists, one mechanical engineer, two energy and environmental engineers and one industrial engineer, the new Master's degree program "Integrated Management Systems" was successfully launched on 9 March 2015. This is in line with the basic philosophy of the course, which was developed as a cooperative offer from the Faculties of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science', Mathematics/Natural Sciences' and Mechanical Engineering'. Students work towards a Master of Science degree in three semesters. During this time, they deal with the requirements of quality, environmental, energy and occupational health and safety management systems and look at how companies can optimize their processes in these areas through integrated management systems.

There are many reasons why the students chose this course: "better career opportunities through specialization and more practical experience", "increasing importance of project management in companies and requirements for applicants", "learning internal management systems in a practical way in order to be able to implement and apply them in companies", "opportunity for various specializations" and "acquisition of additional TÜV certificates".

In their initial impressions, the students rate the course very positively:

• "Good is the cooperation with the dedicated teaching staff."
• "Many impressions are conveyed that are not only theoretical, but also have great practical relevance."
• "Different and yet coordinated modules"
• "Friendly, courteous, motivated lecturers. Lots of group work and independent work, but very time-consuming"
• "The lively discussion atmosphere effectively brings the various management systems closer in terms of their similarities and different thematic focuses."
• "I like the cooperation with other faculties and, in the future, with companies, and I think it would also be good for the Bachelor's degree."

This feedback is particularly pleasing, as only just under a year was available for the conception, development and introduction of the course and only a few months for the application of the course. A big thank you therefore goes to everyone who was involved in these processes.

The next challenges are already just around the corner: the four-semester sister course "Integrated Management" will start in the winter semester 2015/16 and both courses should successfully pass accreditation this year.