International Winter University Kassel

Environmental Engineering - Renewable Energy Sources

5 ECTS credits

The seminar takes a closer look at Renewable Energy Sources embedded in the German Energy System Transformation ‘Energiewende’ from a German and European Perspective. Students have to write an exam covering all seminar topics at the end of class (2h). As a preparation for the exam, the international students attend a tutorial in the last week of the IWU. Our tutors summarise and review the content of the lectures with the students and clarify remaining questions.

The seminar also offers a practical insight into the realisation of the German Energy System Transformation. Excursions are planned to related sites in the surrounding area of or in Kassel. Due to the current pandemic situation, the excursion program is subject to change.

  • Wind Energy

    The wind energy class starts with a short introduction into history and development of wind turbines. Furthermore the lecture will cover topics concerning wind turbines such as the basics of wind energy physics, technical and economic issues. The installation, operation and maintenance of wind turbines will be taught along with facts about onshore and offshore wind farms and their pros and cons.

  • Photovoltaics

    The lecture deals with basic principles of solar cells and components of PV-systems for different applications. The development of grid connected systems in Germany is discussed – large systems and building integrated systems - as well as PV-applications for rural electrification.

  • Solar Thermal Systems

    Solar thermal systems cover the basics of sky geometry and solar radiation. Different types of solar collectors will be introduced and explained in detail. Applications like small & large scale systems and solar water storages are part of the class.

  • Low Energy Housing

    The lecture answers the questions where and how energy is used in buildings, how much energy is used, what kind of systems (HVAC) are used, and compares typical American systems (AC) with Central European systems. Energy efficient buildings are ‘more’ sustainable because about 80 % of the environmental load is caused by energy processes, importance of insulation and air-tightness.

    The lecture further looks at dependencies between energy use in buildings and (renewable) energy production: How can we influence/optimise the system to use more renewable energy sources and to be more efficient? Low temperature/high temperature cooling opens the way for the integration of renewable energy sources andalso passive means of heating and cooling (night cooling etc.) play a decisive role.

  • Near-surface Geothermal Energy

    This lecture provides an overview of geothermal energy and deals with geophysical and geological foundations concerning the earth’s structure, thermal cycling and causes of regional and local differences with respect to thermic flow.

    Several geophysical methods of geothermic prospection are also introduced. Furthermore, applied geothermal projects are presented, while their technical value and problems are discussed.

  • GIS as a Linkage Tool

    Geographic Information System (GIS) provides the basic structure and architecture for regional and urban planning systems and allows multi-level access. Modern GIS is used as a linkage and communication tool between the potential estimation of renewable energy and modern planning processes.

  • Bioenergy and Land-Use

    The lecture covers the scientific basis of the use of bioenergy and global land-use changes. It raises the question how we can design a system of sustainable bioenergy use. It also presents land-use modelling illustrated by a case study from Brazil.

  • Biogas and Energy from Waste Water

    This course examines the question why we should use biomass as an energy source. Biomass is stored sun energy and can be used as biogas. The historic development of biogas technology worldwide and in Germany is examined as well as how biogas is produced. It also presents the basic functioning of modern biogas plants. Besides, the seminar investigates the possibilities to use heat energy, potential energy and bioenergy from waste water.

  • Hydro Power

    The hydro power class consists of topics like technological basics of hydro power and different types of water turbines. Hydro power and hydromorphological requirements as a tool to evaluate the energetic and economic impacts of hydropower in Germany will be taught.

German Cultural Studies - Reflections on German History, Literature and Art

5 ECTS credits

Reflections on German History: Literature and Art of the 19th and 20th century

In this seminar we will take a closer look at the so-called `Goethe-Zeit`. We are going to try to understand what led to Nietzsche’s dictum that Goethe himself was culture. In order to do so, we will have a look at his major works and will be introduced to Goethe’s concept to bring poetry and science together within the thinking. Thus, we will analyse Goethe as a scientist, i.e. Goethe’s theory of colour and the “Goethe-Elephant.”

In the second part of the seminar we will focus on the second half of the 19th century, during which time Nietzsche proclaimed the superman (“Übermensch”) in accordance with his central thesis of the “will to power.” This thesis had a great impact on the following decades as did his diagnoses concerning a fundamental change in the hierarchy of values

which describe the Christian morality as “overcome”. Nietzsche’s type of thinking was later called “philosophy of life” and influenced many authors like Thomas Mann.

The seminar closes with a third topic: Revolutionary art movements in Germany. On a excursion to Weimar, a small town in Thuringia which had become a cultural melting pot during Goethe’s time, we will see many cultural relicts of the time and we will explore the artefacts of the revolutionary art movements in Germany, like the ‘Bauhaus’, which was founded in Weimar, and Expressionism. Further field trips include visits of museums in the Kassel area.

Due to the current pandemic situation, the excursion program is subject to change.

  • Learning Objectives

    The content of this seminar is influenced and led by the areas of interest on the students’ part. The lecture will hence put special emphasis and provide background information on particular topics the students want to know more about.

  • Course Materials

    • Sheehan, James J.: German history 1770 - 1866. Oxford 1989.
    • Milward, Alan & Saul, S.B.: The economic development of continental Europe 1780 - 1870. London 1973.
    • Kitchen, Martin: The political economy of Germany 1815 - 1914. Montreal 1973.
    • James, Howard Mumford: Revolution and Romanticism. Cambridge, London 1974.n.n.

    Further material will be provided during the course.

German Language Course

3 ECTS credits

We offer online German language courses at three different levels - depending on the number of participants and their German language skills. Students will be assigned to the level that best fits their competence.

Our language courses are designed to fit the criteria of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (European Language Portfolio). The IWU program offers courses at the following levels: A1 (beginners) and, depending on the level of the participants, A2, B1, B2 and C1. The description explains which language skills you will have AFTER the course.

Our experienced teachers are carefully selected. They are especially qualified for teaching German as a foreign language.

Credits and Assessment

Upon successful completion of the courses you will be awarded credits by the University of Kassel. The credits are based on the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) which is applied by most European institutions of higher education in order to facilitate the transfer of credits gained in certain study periods from one institution to another. More information on ECTS can be found here: European Credit Transfer System (ECTS)

The transfer of credits awarded at the International Winter University has been agreed upon with some of our partner universities. It is recommended to consult the contact person in charge of the academic recognition of credits at your home institution before you sign up for the IWU.

You can achieve up to 9 ECTS credits:

  • Environmental Engineering (45h) - 6 ECTS-Points
  • German Cultural Studies (45h) - 6 ECTS-Points
  • German Language Course (30h) - 3 ECTS-Points

Transcript

The quality of completed coursework is reflected in the “Transcript of Records” which every student receives from the University of Kassel. With the help of a point system each student can demonstrate their achievements to their home university and have the appropriate credits transferred.

Transferring IWU Credit Outside of Europe

Please note that your home university likely reserves the right to determine the transferabilty of credit points. Therefore, IWU cannot provide you with final credit transfer information. However, we have found that many universities follow a similar process. Consult with your academic advisor, department head, or dean's office. Present them with the course information from our website. A decision can usually be made at this point. However, the IWU team would be more than happy to provide additional information, if needed. As always, our professors are here to answer any questions and resolve any concerns. Please provide the appropriate contact persons with our email address iwu@uni-kassel.de and we will forward all questions to the proper reference.

Note to American Students: 4 ECTS credits will likely transfer as 2 or 3 US credits.