They analyze markets and customer needs to develop and market innovative products and services. In this profile, students have the opportunity to specialize in a variety of areas such as Product and Service Innovation or Operations Management.
As a consecutive course of studies, the Master of Science, Business Engineering profile, requires competencies in Engineering and Business, which have been previously gained in the framework of a Bachelor's degree in one of the following areas:
- Business Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Engineering and Management
Prospective students with a background in a different area of Engineering might also apply, but need to fulfil individual criteria to be accepted for this profile.
Graduates of the Business Engineering profile have a wide range of professional career opportunities, both in Switzerland and internationally. They will assume challenging specialist or management positions in Product, Service, Portfolio or Innovation Management, in Purchasing, in Supply Chain Management, in Process and Quality Management, in Production Management and in Management Consulting.
How would you describe the cooperation with the MSE students you supervise?
«The cooperation is at eye level. I coach and support the student and am also available at short notice. Parallel to this informal collaboration, clear goals are defined and the project status is discussed in formal interim presentations with clear milestones.
My goal is to enable the student to achieve his or her personal learning goals and, at the same time, to meet the goals of the project partner.»
What do you enjoy most about advising in the MSE?
«I like working with young, motivated people and want to enable them to learn a lot, to expand their network and to explore new things together and also to initiate innovations. Innovation means being curious, encouraging creativity and courage, and asking lots of open questions. To go this way with young people is fun for me and always inspires me anew.»
Which Master thesis do you remember most and why?
«It is always difficult to highlight one experience. Of particular joy was the master's thesis of a student from a partner school, who made huge progress in each project and learned extremely much. He is now working in a leading position in a traditional Swiss company.
Another example is the master thesis, which laid the foundation for many things. We still work together and plan to tackle more projects. The thesis also enabled the student to build up knowledge in a desired field and to get his current job in the desired field of Sustainability. In my opinion, the purpose of a master's degree and master's thesis is to enable master's students to take the next step in their professional life and to open doors.»
What advice do you have for new MSE students?
«The Master is a chance. A chance to learn what interests you. To do the projects that fascinate and inspires you. To expand the network and thus lay the foundation for taking the next step in their career. Sometimes one has to leave the comfort zone and go new ways and try something out. This is never easy. I try to encourage the students to do so. Students should see the master's degree as an opportunity and not simply take the path of least resistance.
Even though many things are fun, the demands in both the theory modules and the projects should not be underestimated.»
What are some lessons you've learned as an MSE advisor?
«Every person is different. Every student is different. There is no standard. On the one hand, this is very exciting but sometimes also time-consuming. However, it is very worthwhile to respond to the wishes and needs of the students and to try to support them in all matters.
The advisor should not, as the name suggests, (only) help with advice, but above all with the right questions to show the students new ways of thinking. Asking the right questions is an art that needs to be practiced over and over again and is much more difficult than just giving an advice. The nice thing is that the students and we advisors learn a lot in the same way in every projects.»
Prof. Dr. Patrick Link, Advisor
