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Transportation Planning and Operation, M.Sc.

Program overview

In the master’s program in Transportation Planning and Operation you will examine transportation and mobility, their interdependence and the scopes for design they present. The curriculum places a strong emphasis on practical relevance when introducing you to issues relating to both specific transport carriers as well as transport carriers in general. The emergence of transportation from mobility requirements and the characteristics and impacts of transportation are examined and illustrated in prognoses and simulations which seek to reflect reality as closely as possible. You learn to view individual transport carriers as systems and to analyze their interactions with related societal fields. The fundamental principles of the planning, design, and construction of transportation facilities are as much a part of the program as the operational requirements for the design and control of transportation systems and mobility offers. The master’s program allows you to specialize in the areas of transport planning, transport informatics, rail transport, or road engineering.

DegreeMaster of Science
Standard period of study 4 semesters
Credit points120
Program start Summer and winter semester
Admission Open admission
Language of instruction German

Admission requirements

As for every other master’s degree program at TU Berlin, applicants to the master’s program in Transportation Planning and Operation must possess a first university degree qualifying them for professional work. Until legal validity of the application and admission regulations (estimated to start for the admission of winter semester 2019/20) the following rules apply.

The master’s program in Transportation Planning and Operation is taught in German. If you are applying with a foreign school-leaving certificate, you must provide proof of German skills at a specific level. This is a prerequisite for admission. Knowledge of English is useful, as some courses/modules may be offered in English and much of the technical literature is published in English. However, it is not a condition for admission to studies.

As the curriculum addresses complex, interdisciplinary issues, you should have an interest in and an understanding of interdisciplinary approaches. Initiative and the ability to work independently are also important for this master’s program.

Program structure

There is a proposed course schedule for the degree program. This is a recommendation for how to complete the degree program within the standard period of study of four semesters. It provides an example of which modules to take in which semesters. While this proposed course schedule is ideal on paper, it is not mandatory. It’s simply an example of how to successfully schedule and shape your studies.

We recommend you commence the program in the winter semester as starting in the summer semester requires special planning.


Content and modules

The master’s degree program in Transportation Planning and Operation consists of modules which group the content of the program into specific themes and which often include a variety of different study and teaching formats. A current overview of all modules is available in TU Berlin’s module transfer system (MTS). The MTS also provides an overview of which modules are mandatory for your degree program and which are elective. Detailed module descriptions provide information about the content, learning objectives, participation requirements, workload, types of assessment, and much more. The module list is based on the study and examination regulations. The most current version of these regulations applies to applicants.

To module database

Internships

A six-week technical, non-university internship is mandatory for this master’s program. The internship should focus on overseeing an entire project or offer the opportunity to participate in a project. All further details relating to internships can be found in the internship regulations.


Stays abroad

Generally, parts of the program can be completed abroad, either as semesters abroad or internships. General information regarding stays abroad can be obtained from the TU Berlin International Office (studying abroad) and from the Career Service (internships abroad).



Acquired skills

The master’s program introduces you to planning instruments and how to apply them to achieve efficient and sustainable transportation management. In addition to a technical understanding of the field, you gain an understanding of the legal, economic, and spatial planning fundamentals of transportation as well as an introduction to the methods of scientific problem management. The program also aims to develop your ability to think and work both scientifically and independently, enabling you to effectively analyze and work on new approaches to problems. You further learn to understand the role of your field in the context of society as a whole and are able to assume your professional responsibilities on the basis of this understanding. You understand and are able to influence technological changes in research, development and utilization. The combination of professional relevance and fundamental knowledge provided by the program enables you to work using the latest technologies and to adapt these to the changing structures of transportation.

After your studies

The breadth and professional relevance of the curriculum provide you as a graduate of the master’s program in Transportation Planning and Operation with a wide range of career opportunities in the areas of transportation planning, and public and private transport. The options range from basic research in the area of mobility and transportation through to production and tender planning in passenger and goods transportation. As a graduate you will typically be able to work for public and private transportation companies, transportation infrastructure organizations, universities and other research institutes, public administrations, national and European transportation policy institutes, traffic management centers, traffic routing centers, operational centers, engineering offices, consultants, mobility advisory institutes, as well as within the construction sector and logistics.

Successful completion of the master’s program further qualifies you to pursue a doctorate.


Further information & downloads

Guidance and choosing the right degree program: Academic Advising Service

Questions about the degree program: Course Guidance

General questions: Student Info Services

Application and enrollment: Office of Student Affairs - Graduate Admissions

Recognition of previously acquired credits: Examination Board

Recognition of previous internships or vocational trainings: Internship Officers