Students

• ... have the competence to independently analyze central questions and problems of change in society, politics and the public sphere. They are able to develop, apply and critically evaluate concepts, theories, research results and scientific methods in depth, systematically work on projects on specific scientific or application-oriented issues in cooperation with project partners and present the results in written form. They are qualified to work as experts and managers with scientific and methodological expertise in a broad spectrum of the job market and to participate in scientific research and independent research as part of a doctorate.
• ... with a specialization in sociology are able to apply concepts, theories and methods of analyzing social change as well as central structures and processes in society, the population, the economy and the environment in various professional fields of practice. They have acquired comprehensive knowledge of the analysis, evaluation and design of work and organizational change. They have theoretical and methodological knowledge and skills to analyze and evaluate social inequality processes and mechanisms and mobility processes in various areas of life. This qualifies them for specialized activities in scientific and applied social research, urban and regional development as well as in companies and associations.
• ... with a specialization in political science are able to apply concepts of the coordination of state, market and society to problem areas in national and international politics. They are able to work out and evaluate the structure, functioning, tasks and interests of state and non-state organizations and their national and international social environment from different professional perspectives. They are familiar with current research concepts on cooperation, compliance and global governance. They are qualified for activities with a multidisciplinary competence profile at political organizations in the areas of political consulting and public affairs, also at an international level.
• ... with a specialization in communication science are able to apply communication science concepts, theories and methods to problem areas of the changing communication environment in the context of the individual and society. They have an overview of central communication science research on new media and science communication and can evaluate it. They have theoretical and methodological knowledge and skills to reflect on individual and social usage and impact processes of digital and scientific communication, as they are currently required in all professional fields of communication (e.g. journalism, public relations, sales, advertising and marketing).

In addition to the two compulsory modules in sociology and political science, you choose two further core modules from the fields of sociology, political science and communication science in the specialization in social sciences. By choosing two core modules within a discipline, you determine your personal specialization.

With the specialization in sociology, you will acquire advanced theoretical and methodological knowledge of the analysis of social structures and processes. This mainly relates to the topics of social inequality, life course dynamics, educational and labor market processes and the interrelationship between working and private life. Other key topics include the current and future transformation of work and labour markets as well as organizational change and internal democracy.

If you choose to specialize in political science, you will learn specialized political science instruments, in particular from political field analysis, international relations and comparative government, in order to transfer and evaluate them to different areas. This includes in particular questions of conflict and cooperation in the organization of decision-making processes, e.g. in state-related policy fields such as health, transport, education or crime prevention, but also for individual controversial major projects or diplomatic crises.

The specialization in communication science enables you to apply communication science concepts, theories and methods to problem areas of the changing communication environment in the context of the individual and society. In terms of content, the focus is on communication science research on new media and science communication as well as individual and social usage and impact processes of digital and science communication and their application to other problem areas.

You will take two modules in the area of inter- and transdisciplinary research practice. The inter- and transdisciplinary bridge module is designed as a thematically open module, which is directly linked to ongoing inter- and transdisciplinary research projects at TU Braunschweig and thus brings you into contact with real research in the context of TU Braunschweig. It can be carried out both with and without social science participation.

The project module is about the application and practical testing of the knowledge you have already acquired in the context of a project. The module can take place with or without social science participation and thus offers you a further opportunity to gain practical experience in inter- and transdisciplinary research.

The project can be integrated into ongoing research projects of the course lecturers. On the basis of cooperation with private or public organizations, you will also be made offers for projects which you can combine with an internship. At the same time, you are free to choose your own project topics and cooperation partners.

The project module can provide the basis for your six-month Master's thesis. University supervision is fundamental for all projects. The project phase is accompanied by specialist and methodological support at the university, which is thematically related to the requirements of the projects and covers issues such as project management or special methods. The project and the inter- and transdisciplinary specialization module underline the research orientation of the degree course.

In the interdisciplinary specialization "Society, Environment and Technology in Transition", you will acquire sound skills in a wide range of subjects that are represented in research and teaching at TU Braunschweig. In particular, you will have the opportunity to combine social science and technical content and expertise.

A wide range of modules is available to you, from which you can choose an individual combination of modules tailored to your specialization. In addition to subjects in architecture and civil engineering, you can also choose modules in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, psychology, law and economics with an environmental science focus. If you would like to deepen your social science knowledge, you can take any social science modules in this area that you have not already taken in the subject specialization. If your interests are not covered by the modules on offer, you have the opportunity to apply for additional modules not yet listed in order to create your own individual specialization.

You are free to choose the modules in the interdisciplinary specialization.

The aim of the Master's thesis is to independently familiarize yourself with a social science topic and to work on it scientifically and methodically. It is possible to design the thesis in an interdisciplinary way, whereby the research focus should come from the social sciences.

• Registration for the courses of the Department of Social Sciences is possible from Thursday, March 7, 12 noon until Monday, March 11, 2024, 12 noon.

  Places will be allocated by lottery on Monday, March 11 at approx. 1 pm.
  The time of registration has no effect on the lottery procedure!
  Unless otherwise stated, registration takes place via Stud IP.

• Remaining places will be released for all semesters on Thursday, March 28, 2024 following the first semester course selection.
• Registration for and attendance of courses in Philosophy: please refer to the information on the homepage of the Institute of Philosophy, in particular the current semester annotated course catalogs, which provide information about the allocation in the modules.
• Registration for and attendance of courses in Philosophy: please refer to the information on the homepage of the Institute of Philosophy, in particular the current semester annotated annotated course catalog, which provide information about the allocation in the modules.
• The Department of Architecture does not usually publish its courses via Stud.IP, but via its own platform. You can access this at https://stdb3.ila.bau.tu-bs.de/. Here you will find all information regarding the content and dates.
• The registration periods for courses at other institutes and departments may differ. Please refer to the information in Stud.IP.

Students in their first semester register for the courses of the Department of Social Sciences during the orientation week (week before the start of lectures).

The lottery procedure will take place on Thursday, March 28, 2024.

You will receive information in mid-March with your welcome e-mail. The procedure and requirements for course selection will be explained during the orientation week.

If you have any questions, please send an email to sowi-studium(at)tu-braunschweig.de