Patent Engineering (M. Sc.)

Drei Personen betrachten technische Bauteile

The protection of intellectual property (IP) is of central importance for the development of the economy. The Master's degree programme in Patent Engineering provides the theoretical and practical expertise for a job experience as a patent engineer in patent, research and development fields. The study course is characterised by the combination of technical content and IP know-how. Graduates will be able to analyse and work on complex issues at the interface of technology and the protection and management of intellectual property, both with colleagues in the field of R&D and with IP experts.

This Master's is aimed at graduates of engineering Bachelor's degree programmes with an interest in interdisciplinary work at the interface of technology, IP law, IP information and IP management.

The programme qualifies students to analyse and evaluate technical inventions and innovations with regard to their classification under IP law, their economic exploitability and their strategic application potential, and to design and accompany procedures for obtaining and using IP rights. Basic IP skills are taught and these are embedded in technical topics with a focus on development processes of electrical and information technology systems.

Occupational fields and career prospects

Patent engineers work in patent, research and development departments of companies, universities, research institutions and law firms at the interface between technology, intellectual property management and strategic corporate policy and cooperate with developers, inventors, decision-makers and patent offices.

They promote and identify inventions, monitor competitors' innovations and advise on the need for and possibilities of protecting new products and processes. They are responsible for IP searches and assist in the drafting of invention and patent applications and in the patent granting process and in the examination of the validity of IP rights and their enforcement. Within the scope of IP management, they evaluate patents, are involved in the management of patent exploitation, and organise portfolio formation and maintenance. Patent engineers contribute to the IP strategy, they develop patent strategies and advise the management.

Degree
Master of Science (M. Sc.)
Duration
3 Semester
Start of studies
Summer & Winter

Accreditation
Ongoing procedure
Aptitude Procedure
Yes
Dual Study
Yes
Language
German

Location
Ingolstadt

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Sought-after Master's programme in Patent Engineering

Structure and Contents

Engineering subjects form a core area of the study programme. In accordance with the technical orientation of the degree course, a special focus is placed on future technologies in the field of electrical engineering and information technology. Graduates acquire the ability to recognise and assess technical contexts and their further development and application, and to understand and accompany technological change in research and development.

The engineering focus is embedded in a sound education in the IP field. Students acquire the knowledge in the IP field required for work as a patent engineer. The focus is on German, European and international patent law, employee invention law and know-how protection. The use of the patent systems is taught and students are instructed in the drafting of patent applications and the procedural acts to be performed in the various proceedings.

The compulsory modules are supplemented on the one hand by compulsory elective modules, which focus the acquisition of competence on specific, individual technical areas such as IP, e.g. procedural law in patent matters, contracts in the IP area, digitalisation of IP processes IP. Scientific work is practised in seminars and projects. The Master's thesis concludes the academic study. It can be written in a domestic or foreign company. With the final thesis, the graduate demonstrates that he or she has the ability to work independently and according to scientific rules on a challenging engineering problem at the interface between technology and intellectual property.

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Curriculum

1. Semester

Nachhaltigkeit technischer Systeme

Ingenieurwissenschaftliche Arbeitstechniken

Wahlpflichtfächer Ingenieurwissenschaften

Recht des geistigen Eigentums

Patentinformation und -recherche

Wahlpflichtfächer Intellectual Property

2. Semester

Sichere und zuverlässige technische Systeme

Technik- und IP-Projekt

Wahlpflichtfächer Ingenieurwissenschaften

Patentrecht und Rechtsschutz nichttechnischer Leistungen

Patent- und Innovationsmanagement

Wahlpflichtfächer Intellectual Property

3. Semester

Masterarbeit inkl. Kolloquium

Quick Info

Admission: Prerequisite

The qualification requirement for admission to this study programme is a successfully completed Bachelor's degree in an engineering or natural science discipline with a total of 210 ECTS and with a technical component of at least 80% (170 of the 210 ECTS). In the case of a Bachelor's degree for which less than 210 but at least 180 ECTS points have been awarded, proof of the missing skills must be provided (additionally passed examinations or internships).

For admission, an aptitude test must be passed which shows whether skills for the special qualitative knowledge and requirements of the Master's degree programme in patent engineering were acquired in the Bachelor's degree programme which can be expected to lead to a successful course of studies. In the aptitude test, the submitted documents are evaluated with regard to the following criteria areas

Grade of the degree of the engineering or natural science Bachelor's programme
Skills in mathematics, engineering sciences and computer science
Independent scientific work and experience in engineering problem solving

There are no tests or interviews that require personal attendance. To apply, please refer to the aptitude test questionnaire available at "Statutes" (linked here on this page) , which is also posted again on the Primuss application portal.

Application

You can start your studies in the summer semester or in the winter semester. The application is made via the PRIMUSS application portal THI. The engineering focus is embedded in a sound education in the IP field. Students acquire the knowledge in the IP field required for work as a patent engineer. The focus is on German, European and international patent law, employee invention law and know-how protection. The use of the patent systems is taught and students are instructed in the drafting of patent applications and the procedural acts to be performed in the various proceedings. The compulsory modules are supplemented on the one hand by compulsory elective modules, which focus the acquisition of competence on specific, individual technical areas such as IP, e.g. procedural law in patent matters, contracts in the IP area, digitalisation of IP processes IP. Scientific work is practised in seminars and projects. The Master's thesis concludes the academic study. It can be written in a domestic or foreign company. With the final thesis, the graduate demonstrates that he or she has the ability to work independently and according to scientific rules on a challenging engineering problem at the interface between technology and intellectual property.

The dual Master's programme at THI offers optimal career opportunities. In addition to the regular degree programme, the dual Master's programme includes intensive work experience in a company. It is consecutive and is aimed at both non-dual and dual Bachelor graduates who have previously completed a combined degree programme or a degree programme with in-depth practical experience.

During the dual Master's programme, you will receive a salary from your company. The salary for Master's degree programmes should be appropriately higher than the salary for Bachelor's degree programmes.

Special feature: Normal duration of study with significantly more practical experience than in a regular Master's programme

IP at THI

Save the date!

Next Patent Day in February 2025!

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We look forward to receiving your application!

To the online application

Contact for questions about the application or other topics

Contact only for content-related questions:

Vice President Continuing Education; Academic Director Institute for Lifelong Learning; Programme director "Patent Engineering" (Master)
Prof. Dr. Andrea Klug
Phone: +49 841 9348-3808
Room: I101
E-Mail: Andrea.Klug@thi.de

Study and Examination Regulations

Study and examination regulations (SPO) deal with judicial matters concerning your study course. Please turn to the pages of the legal department for Statutes of this course.

For any questions on requirements, exams regulations and more, please turn to the Service Center Study Affairs.