Over the course of three days, the participants gained a concise and practical insight into civil engineering – from introductory lectures right through to their own design projects.
A practical introduction to civil engineering
To kick things off, participants were welcomed to the Faculty of Civil Engineering and given an initial insight into key subject areas of the degree programme in the fields of road construction and geotechnical engineering. A subsequent campus tour organised by the Civil Engineering Students’ Association provided an impression of the university environment and everyday student life.
A highlight of the programme was the site visit organised in cooperation with Max Bögl. Here, civil engineering came to life: real-world construction projects, building processes and practical on-site procedures provided an authentic insight into the profession.
There was also plenty of opportunity for independent work: working in teams, the participants designed a ‘spaghetti bridge’. This task combines creativity with engineering thinking and offered the chance to gain some initial practical experience.
The second day of the event was dedicated to study guidance. Alongside a presentation of the Bachelor’s degree programme in Civil Engineering, the wide range of opportunities available at OTH Regensburg was highlighted. Technical insights into hydraulic engineering, urban water management and energy-efficient and sustainable construction highlighted the social relevance and thematic breadth of the degree programme. In addition, the Concrete Canoe Team introduced themselves and provided insights into student involvement and practical projects.
A pizza evening brought everyone together, providing an opportunity for personal conversations and exchanges with students and lecturers.
Applying knowledge and experiencing the degree programme
On the third day, the focus was on practical application: the bridges that had been developed were subjected to a load test to examine their load-bearing capacity and failure behaviour. The programme was complemented by lectures on reinforced concrete construction, timber construction and engineering surveying.
The ‘early bird bau’ event provided a realistic picture of a civil engineering degree. It demonstrated how closely theoretical principles and practical applications are linked, whilst also offering the opportunity to make initial contacts and explore one’s own interests in greater depth.
