This program focuses on the engineering methods and technologies essential for developing autonomous mobile systems, such as robots, that can operate independently without constant human supervision. The English-taught program emphasizes the application of these methods and technologies in the fields of robotics and automation, including industries such as automotive and transportation, communication technologies, marine technology, and logistics.

Additionally, the program explores the transdisciplinary aspects of mobility in intelligent natural systems. Students will gain hands-on experience with the latest technical systems and methods through practical work in state-of-the-art laboratory facilities. Overall, this program provides students with a comprehensive education in the development and application of autonomous mobile systems, preparing them for careers in this exciting and rapidly growing field.

The undergraduate program at Constructor University is a three-year, 180-credit-point program designed to prepare students for a wide range of career paths.

The “4C Model” is the program's backbone, with disciplinary content grouped into three themes according to study years: CHOICE-CORE-CAREER. Additionally, the “CONSTRUCTOR Track”, an integral part of the program, runs parallel throughout the program. It provides students with multidisciplinary content and essential skills such as argumentation, data visualization, societal engagement, and communication.

The curriculum allows students to tailor their education to their goals and to explore different fields of study, with the flexibility to change their major within the first year. Moreover, the programs include a mandatory internship and a study-abroad opportunity in the fifth semester to provide students with hands-on experience and a global perspective.

Year 1

The first study year is characterized by a university-specific offering of disciplinary education that builds on and expands upon the students’ entrance qualifications. Students select introductory modules for a total of 45 CP from the CHOICE area of a variety of study programs, of which 15-45 CP will belong to their intended major.

To pursue Robotics and Intelligent Systems as a major, the following CHOICE modules (45 CP) need to be taken:

• CHOICE Module: Mathematical and Physical Foundations of Robotics I (7.5 CP)
• CHOICE Module: Mathematical and Physical Foundations of Robotics II (7.5 CP)
• CHOICE Module: Programming in C and C++ (7.5 CP)
• CHOICE Module: Algorithms and Data Structures (7.5 CP)
• CHOICE Module: General Electrical Engineering (7.5 CP)
• CHOICE Module: Digital Systems and Computer Architecture (7.5 CP)

Students can still change to another major at the beginning of their second year of studies, provided they have taken the corresponding mandatory CHOICE modules in their first year of studies.

To allow further major changes after the first semester, the students are strongly recommended to register for the CHOICE modules of one of the following study programs:

Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE):

• CHOICE Module: General Electrical Engineering I (7.5 CP)
• CHOICE Module: General Electrical Engineering II (7.5 CP)
• CHOICE Module: Classical Physics (7.5 CP)
• CHOICE Module: Digital Systems and Computer Architecture (7.5 CP)
• CHOICE Module: Foundations of Communications and Electronics (7.5 CP)

Year 2

In their second year, students take a total of 45 CP from a selection of in-depth, discipline- specific CORE modules. Building on the introductory CHOICE modules and applying the methods and skills acquired so far, these modules aim to expand the students’ critical understanding of the key theories, principles, and methods in their major for the current state of knowledge and best practice.

To pursue Robotics and Intelligent Systems as a major, 30 CP from the following mandatory (m) and mandatory elective (me) CORE modules need to be taken:

• CORE Module: Robotics (m, 5 CP)
• CORE Module: Artificial Intelligence (m, 5 CP)
• CORE Module: RIS Lab (me, 5 CP)
• CORE Module: Automation (me, 5 CP)
• CORE Module: Embedded Systems (me, 5 CP)
• CORE Module: Control Systems (me, 5 CP)
• CORE Module: Computer Vision (me, 5 CP)
• CORE Module: Machine Learning (m, 5 CP)
• CORE Module: RIS Project (m, 5 CP)

15 CP can be selected according to interest and/or with the aim of pursuing a minor in Computer Science, or students complement their studies by taking all of the above listed mandatory elective CORE modules.

Year 3

During their third year, students prepare and make decisions about their career path after graduation. To explore available choices and to gain professional experience, students undertake a mandatory summer internship.

The fifth semester also opens a mobility window for a diverse range of study abroad options. Finally, the sixth semester is dedicated to fostering the students’ research experience by involving them in an extended Bachelor thesis project.

To pursue RIS as a major, 15 CP from the following mandatory elective Specialization Modules need to be taken:

• Marine Robotics (me, 5 CP)
• Optimization (me, 5 CP)
• Human-Robot Interaction (me, 5 CP)
• Distributed Algorithms (me, 5 CP)
• Computer Graphics (me, 5 CP)
• Web Application Development (me, 5 CP)
• Software Engineering (me, 7.5 CP)
• Databases (me, 7.5 CP)
• Digital Design (me, 5 CP)
• PCB design and measurement automation (me, 5 CP)
• Information Theory (me, 5 CP)
• Stochastic Processes (me, 5 CP)
• Stochastic Modeling and Financial Mathematics (me, 5 CP)
• Operations Research (me, 5 CP)
• Parallel and Distributed Computing (me, 5 CP)
• Human Computer Interaction (me, 5 CP)

Available for RIS students minoring in the respective study program that meet the pre-requisites / co-requisites: 

• Image Processing (me, 5 CP)
• Automata, Computability, and Complexity (me, 7.5 CP)
• Computer Networks (me, 5 CP)
• Operating Systems (me, 7.5 CP)
• Electronics (me, 5 CP)
• Digital Signal Processing (me, 7.5 CP)
• Signals and Systems (me, 7.5 CP)
• Industry 4.0 and Blockchain Technologies (me, 5 CP)
• Process Modeling and Simulation (me, 5 CP)

At Constructor University, students are provided with a unique opportunity to boost their employability through a mandatory two-month internship worth 15 credits. This opportunity usually takes place during the summer between the second and third year of study, providing students with the chance to gain practical experience in a professional setting. Through this internship, students can apply the knowledge and understanding they have gained from their major to real-world contexts, evaluate the significance of their major in the employment sector and society, reflect on their personal role in employment and society, and make informed career decisions. For students interested in starting their own company, an alternative to the full-time internship is offered in the form of a start-up option, which allows them to focus on developing their business plan.

The CONSTRUCTOR Track is another important feature of Constructor University’s educational model. The Constructor Track runs orthogonal to the disciplinary CHOICE, CORE, and CAREER modules across all study years and is an integral part of all undergraduate study programs. It provides an intellectual tool kit for lifelong learning and encourages the use of diverse methodologies to approach cross-disciplinary problems. The CONSTRUCTOR track contains Methods, New Skills and German Language and Humanities modules.

Methods Modules

Methods such as mathematics, statistics, programming, data handling, presentation skills, academic writing, and scientific and experimental skills are offered to all students as part of the Methods area in their curriculum. The modules that are specifically assigned to each study programs equip students with transferable academic skills. They convey and practice specific methods that are indispensable for each students’ chosen study program. Students are required to take a minimum of 20 CP in the Methods area. The size of all Methods modules is 5 CP.

To pursue Robotics and Intelligent Systems as a major, the following Methods modules (20 CP) must be taken as mandatory

• Methods Module: Elements of Linear Algebra (me, 5 CP)
• Methods Module: Elements of Calculus (me, 5 CP)
• Methods Module: Probability and Random Processes (m, 5 CP)

Students who have a strong mathematical background can also choose Matrix Algebra and Advanced Calculus I and II (me, 5 CP each) instead of Elements of Linear Algebra and Elements of Calculus.

For the remaining 5 CP RIS students can choose between the Methods modules

• Methods Module: Numerical Methods (me, 5 CP) and the Mathematics CORE module:
• CORE Module: Discrete Mathematics (me, 5 CP)

New Skills Modules

All students are required to take 20 CP of New Skills modules in their second year and third year of studies. Students choose New Skills modules from the following portfolio:

• New Skills Module: Logic* (me, 2.5 CP)
• New Skills Module: Causation and Correlation* (me, 2.5 CP)
• New Skills Module: Argumentation, Data Visualization and Communication* (me, 5 CP)
• New Skills Module: Models, Matrices and Theories of Complex Systems (me, 5 CP)
• New Skills Module: Complex Problem Solving (me, 5 CP)
• New Skills Module: Agency, Leadership and Accountability (me, 5 CP)
• New Skills Module: Community Impact Project (me, 5 CP)

Some of these modules (marked by *) will be offered with two different perspectives from which the students can only choose one for the fulfillment of graduation requirements of their degree program. The module perspectives are independent modules which examine the topic from different points of view. Please see the module description in chapter 8 for more details such as scheduling, content and assessment.

German Language and Humanities Modules

Students are required to take 5 CP of German language or Humanities modules. German language abilities foster students’ intercultural awareness and enhance their employability in their host country. They are also beneficial for securing mandatory internships (between the 2nd and 3rd year) in German companies and academic institutions. Constructor University supports its students in acquiring basic as well as advanced German skills in the first year of the Constructor Track. Non-native speakers of German are encouraged to take 2 German modules (2.5 CP each) but are not obliged to do so. Native speakers and other students who are not taking advantage of this offer take alternative modules in Humanities in each of the first two semesters:

• Humanities Module: Introduction to Philosophical Ethics (me, 2.5 CP)
• Humanities Module: Introduction to the Philosophy of Science (me, 2.5 CP)
• Humanities Module: Introduction to Visual Culture (me, 2.5 CP)

Career options include areas such as research and development or management tracks in automotive and transport, robotics and automation, communication technologies, marine technology and logistics industries. Given the increasing need for automation of daily life tasks through intelligent mobile systems, there is a significant number of career options in addition to the core ones that are covered in the program.

The robotics and intelligent systems program matches scientific content with real-world use cases. This is a strength of the Constructor offer, to introduce students to real-world applications.

Field trips and participation in robotics competitions significantly contribute to bringing students closer to the market and to real challenges, in addition to being an excellent opportunity for professional networking.

Companies who hired recent graduates of the IMS program (Intelligent Mobile Systems, the former name of RIS) include Cambio CarSharing Deutschland, Daimler AG, Klöckner Desma GmbH, Objective Software GmbH, Ubimax.

Several graduate programs have offered a position to IMS students, including the Master in Artificial Intelligence, offered by Universita’ della Svizzera Italiana (Switzerland), the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree on Advanced Robotics, offered by Centrale Nantes (France), University of Genoa (Italy), Warsaw University of Technology (Poland), and Jaume I University (Spain), the Master in Robotics, offered by Heriot-Watt University (Scotland, UK). 

All applicants must show an adequate command of the English language to enroll at Constructor University. An applicant’s English language ability (non-native speakers) may be demonstrated through language proficiency test scores.

You will qualify for an English proficiency waiver if you:

are a native English speaker OR

have been instructed exclusively in English for a minimum of 6 years OR

have scored 600 or higher on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section OR

have scored 9 or higher on the ACT Writing section

English Language proficiency tests accepted by Constructor University and the minimum scores/grades:

• TOEFL (Paper-based): Minimum Score: 575

• TOEFL (Internet-based): Minimum Score: 90

• MELAB (Michigan Test): Minimum Score: 80

• IELTS (British Council): Minimum Score: 6.5

• GCSE (British General Certificate of Secondary Education): Minimum Score: A or B

• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): Minimum Score: A, B, C and C1 pass

• Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE): Minimum Score: A, B, C

• Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE – extended): Minimum Score: A

• International Baccalaureate English A Lit / Lang & Lit: Minimum Score: 6, 7

• SAT Evidence-Based Reading & Writing: Minimum Score: 600

• ACT Writing: Minimum Score: 9

• Duolingo English Test: Minimum Score: 110

• Pearson PTE Academic: Minimum Score: 58