Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ

Using the so-called "modified Bavarian formula" (mBF), grades that do not correspond to the German grading system are converted into this system.

• {3(Nmax-Nd) / (Nmax-Nmin)} + 1 = N

With:

• N: (searched German) grade
• Nmax = Best grade that can theoretically be achieved in the original system
• Nd = grade to be converted
• Nmin = Worst grade in the original system with which a performance is just still considered to have been passed

Note:
Even if we occasionally receive enquiries from applications in which they explain that the meaning of their grade is different from that in country x, foreign grades are still converted using the mBF without exception.
Upgrading or possibly even downgrading selected grading systems would violate both German and European laws, as equal treatment of all applicants would not be guaranteed and it would no longer be possible to trace the process.
For this reason, the Admission Regulations for the degree programme are very strict and do not allow any room for interpretation when converting grades.

First of all: Research phases 1 - 3 should build on each other in a meaningful way and allow for thematic specialisation.
For this reason, the research topic or the supervisor can only be changed once upon request and by stating important reasons, whereby capacity considerations are also taken into account. All parties involved - including the Dean in addition to the students and supervisors - must also be in agreement.

Note: If, in the event of a change, the first phase already completed cannot be seen as a thematic introduction for the subsequent phases, the first phase must be repeated.

If there are indeed important reasons for this, please contact BiomedmasterFH-Aachen.de first.

Firstly, an application is only possible during the application periods specified on the application page.

However, the distinction between an EU and an international applicant group has no real significance for the application procedure itself.
It is merely a matter of giving international students more time for their visa matters. If possible, they should submit their application in the slot provided for them (i.e. by the first deadline mentioned), then they will also receive a decision on their admission or rejection at a much earlier stage. Applicants from the EU group will receive their decision later.

If you are already in Germany as an "international applicant", it should not matter to you which of the two groups you apply in, as you are unlikely to have any difficulties with your visa.

The practice is not as complicated as it seems.
First of all, all modules are elective modules, but they are actually divided into three groups (namely: advanced basic subjects, advanced method modules and specialisation modules). The obligation here (apart from the amount of work to be done, which - given the prescribed period of study - is 15 ECTS per semester) is that at least one subject from each of these blocks has been successfully completed by the end of the degree programme. (The division of the other modules into these groups is therefore irrelevant). In addition, you will also need to discuss with your supervisor which subjects complement your chosen specialisation and should therefore be selected; in general, however, you will be given a great deal of freedom here and your other interests will be taken into account.

Initial information on the categorisation of the elective modules into the three groups can be found under "Study content --> Elective modules". Further information on the content and scope of the subjects can be found in the module handbook.

Please also note: The routing slip required later for admission to the Master's thesis can only be signed by the supervisors if they determine that you have also completed the subjects required for your specialisation.

Because the degree programme can be started in both the summer and winter semesters, the curriculum is designed with permeability in mind. As a rule, the modules are therefore designed in such a way that there are no dependencies on each other. In other words, there is no compulsory order in which the modules are to be studied. Furthermore, you are not bound to the nominal semester in which a module is offered; you can choose your modules from any semester.

There is an exception for the Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging module, where Fundamental Magnetic Resonance Imaging must be heard beforehand, as this is basically a two-part course, which is divided into two semesters with 2.5 ECTS each (and together results in 5 ECTS again).

If you are unsure, check the dependencies in the module handbook. Recommendations are also given here as to which content requirements may be desirable.

15 ECTS of lectures must be completed per semester for a standard degree programme. This usually means 3 lectures per semester, as the degree programme's elective modules generally comprise 5 ECTS. A few modules only have 2.5 ECTS, but are then of course less extensive and must be supplemented with other modules accordingly.

If it is feasible for you in terms of time (i.e. you do not come into conflict with your working hours for the research phase), you can of course take more modules.

However, if you already have time problems with three subjects (because you are working part-time, for example), you can of course take fewer modules. Of course, this will extend your study time, as the total number of modules to be completed will not change.

In this context, however, we would like to point out once again that your working hours during the research semester can usually be arranged very flexibly in consultation with your supervisors.

In principle, you choose your research topic and your supervisor yourself (subject to mutual agreement). The first two weeks of lectures in the first semester are available for this purpose. This time serves as orientation for students (and lecturers) with regard to the choice and assignment to the research phases. (Preferences have already been indicated in the application).

As freshers, you now have the opportunity to talk to lecturers, get to know each other and "sound out" how well your preferences match. Please actively approach the lecturers yourself! If you agree with a lecturer to complete the research phase with him or her, please send an email to BiomedasterFH-Aachen.de.

If it becomes apparent that you will not find a suitable supervisor within the two-week deadline, please also send an email to BiomedmasterFH-Aachen.de. We will support you in your search.

In principle, the Research Master's programme is designed so that you complete your research phases in laboratories at FH Aachen. The background to this is that you should not be "misused" as cheap labour, but it should be ensured that you continuously develop your skills and expertise in your research topic through practical activities and close supervision.

However, there is an exception for joint projects between your supervisor(s) and their partner institutions. As soon as joint projects (with written confirmation) exist, a research phase can also be completed with a project partner (including abroad). However, the main supervision should remain at the university.

Yes, two:

1. First, a general presentation of the Master's degree programme always takes place in the 5th semester of the Bachelor's degree programmein Medical Engineering at FH Aachen.
   The date is announced within the Bachelor's degree programme.
2. An information event is held at the beginning of each semester for first-year students on the Master's degree programme.
   The head of degree programme explains the principles and practical course of study as well as how to get to your research phase or focus. You can also ask questions directly to the head of the degree programme or the Dean. The exact date will be announced in the campus system (timetable) and on the application homepage (under"Timetable for the X semester").

Firstly, there is no classic NC, but there is something similar.

In addition to the language and other requirements, there are two main criteria that are relevant for admission and that are related to each other.
The first is the final grade of the previous Bachelor's degree programme (CGPA) and the second is the subject relevance of the curriculum of the previous degree programme.
Points are awarded for both criteria (according to the tables in the admission regulations) and then added together. The better the CGPA, or the more relevant the curriculum is in terms of teaching specialised knowledge in medical technology, the more points are awarded in each case. There is now a minimum number of points that must be achieved in total: 30. The maximum number of points that can be achieved for the curriculum is 12, so that with a "perfect" curriculum, 18 points of the CGPA must still be achieved for admission. If there are deviations from the desired curriculum, this must be compensated for by a better CGPA.
This means that, depending on the relevance of the curriculum, the CGPA must be at least 2.5999 (German scale) - or better.
Naturally, the curriculum of the Medical Engineering Bachelor's degree programme at FH Aachen is considered "perfect", so that applicants to these degree programmes must achieve the aforementioned CGPA of 2.59. For all other applicants, a slightly better to much better CGPA is required, depending on the curriculum.

The relevance of the curriculum is determined on the basis of the following list of subjects (these can of course have other names in your case), which is intended to ensure that applicants have as strong a background as possible in the fields of (bio)medical technology and engineering.
In general, these subjects are a mandatory requirement:

• Mathematics
• Physics
• Chemistry / Materials Science
• Computer Science / Information Technology

In addition, you should have successfully completed as many of the following subjects as possible. (If you have not completed five or more of these subjects, the relevance of your curriculum is generally considered insufficient).

• Electrical Engineering/Electronics
• Technical Mechanics - Engineering Mechanics
• Control Engineering
• Physical Measurement Technology
• Cell Biology
• PhysiologyAnatomy
• Biochemistry
• Medical Measurement

Provided that you want to complete your studies in the prescribed period of study (i.e. a total of 4 semesters, for which the following applies: semesters 1 - 3 are standard semesters with lectures and practical trainings as well as the research phases, the fourth semester is reserved for the Master's thesis), the programme is to be regarded as a full-time course of study, which leaves little scope for part-time work. (Of course, you are not obliged to complete the programme within the prescribed period of study).

The programme is a so-called research master's degree, i.e. the proportion of practical work is very high. In addition to the lectures and the accompanying practical training, 50% of the degree programme consists of practical laboratory work, the research phases.

In the "normal" semesters (1 - 3), the programme is divided into one research phase and (normally) three lectures. You will receive 15 ECTS credits for a research phase, i.e. the same amount as for the three lectures.

The 15 ECTS credits mean a workload of approx. 20 hours per week over the entire semester (including lecture-free periods). The working hours can, of course, be arranged flexibly with your supervisors and adapted to your respective needs. On the other hand, there are only three written examinations per semester.