Project Weeks
Whether sustainability, digitization, artificial intelligence or entrepreneurship: many of the most pressing issues of our time transcend disciplinary boundaries. The project weeks therefore create a framework in which students and teachers can work across disciplines, curricula and locations on issues and projects that particularly interest them. In multidisciplinary teams, they not only expand their disciplinary expertise, but also strengthen their interdisciplinary skills.
All information about the Project Weeks for teachers can be found on the Project Weeks wiki page (staff login).
There you will also find an overview of FAQ about the Project Weeks.
Project Weeks in the winter semester 2023/24
The successful inclusive settings from the TUM Department of Sport and Health Sciences are to be further developed and made transferable across departments and schools in order to creatively promote health-related and interdisciplinary work and learning at TUM. The grassroots concept of collaborative, participatory approaches to teaching and learning describes a positive and purposeful way to deal with current societal challenges, for example as a result of the war in Ukraine.
Through the participatory involvement of experts – people who deal professionally with crisis situations as well as those affected – TUM students from different disciplines jointly create solutions to health-related problems. Creative design thinking methods, role and perspective changes, and learning tandems are important elements of this living teaching.
The collaboratively developed health-promoting solution strategies, especially from the areas of mental and physical health, are developed and disseminated. The students, who are recruited from master's and bachelor's degree programs at TUM, not only acquire theoretical knowledge about innovative solution formats, they also actively shape and apply them.
Contact: Dr. Daniela Schwarz, TUM Department of Sport and Health Sciences
For: Bachelor and master students from all disciplines and schools
TUMonline module no.: 8100330000
ECTS: 2
Period: January 8–12, 2024
Registration: By October 5, 2023, via email to Elke Langbein or Dr. Daniela Schwarz
Building on years of expertise in the WTG module “Roles. Clichés. Visions. Science and Technology in the View of Literature and Theater”, the interplay of society, artistic creativity, science and technology will be explored in greater depth in this project seminar. In cooperation with partners such as the “futurelab” of the Ars Electronica Center Linz, the Münchner Kammerspiele or the Kunstakademie Bad Reichenhall, the students have the opportunity to get to know the contents and perspectives of other subjects through their different competences in multidisciplinary project work, to enter into dialogue and to research together with broadened horizons and to present an innovative result. In addition, their own role as a scientist:in is reflected in the social context.
Contact: Dr. Fred Slanitz, TUM School of Social Sciences and Technology
TUMonline module no.: CLA21901
ECTS: 2
Period: January 8–12, 2024
Over a period of 11 weeks, students from the fields of Medicine, Sport & Health Sciences, Computer Science and Engineering will develop instrumented test procedures to record the sensorimotor function of people with neurological diseases and validate them on case series of patients. The Project Week aims to develop sensor-based (instrument-based) acquisition procedures that can be used in a mobile (i.e., non-laboratory) manner. These will be validated not only clinically, but also using behavioral data from the CiO Living Lab and observational data from everyday life collected by wearables. In addition to young, healthy adults, case series of persons with neurological diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, will be used for development and validation.
Contact: PD Dr. Friederike Schmidt-Graf, TUM School of Medicine
For: Students from all disciplines and schools, especially Medicine, Sports Science, Health Science, Computer Science, Human Factors Engineering, and Neuroengineering
ECTS: 4
Period: January 8–12, 2024
This module offers participants from all backgrounds an overview of current issues in behavioral economics and their application to current societal or environmental challenges and gives them the opportunity to examine one topic in more detail. Emphasis is put on aspects of choice architecture, nudging/green nudges, herding, and further phenomena of behavioral economics and their application in a real world case.
Contact: Martina Wayand, TUM School of Management
For: Master students from all disciplines and schools
TUMonline module no.: WI001284
ECTS: 6
Project schedule : Kick-off 17.10.2023, getting to know the customer MTV München von 1879 e.V. 31.10.2023, Project Week 8.–12.01.2024, deadline for submission of the project report 31.01.2023
Even after completing their master's degree, many students do not have a precise idea of operational processes and cultural peculiarities of industry and have only limited knowledge of how and where they can best apply their skills. Graduates often have the idea that positions in research and development are the most suitable for them, while they are frequently unfamiliar with the structures of SMEs - often hidden champions. The project week aims to fill these gaps and strengthen knowledge about SMEs and offer participants an insight into the practice of SMEs.
Contact: Prof. Oliver Hayden, TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology
For: Bachelor students of the 5th and 6th semester and Master students
ECTS: 2
Period: January 8–12, 2024 (Project Week at the SME)
Welcome to the future:
Our living conditions and society will change radically in the next 20 years. To create a livable future, we need people who develop creative and visionary solutions and then implement them. In short – entrepreneurial and design competencies. These are precisely what this module is about: Focus for an effective problem definition; courage to initiate change; imagination to develop and articulate ideas; and action to take an idea forward toward implementation.
Course participants engage with the question: How will we live in 2044? A fictional future scenario (based on scientific forecasts) illustrates what our world might look like in 20 years. The Impulse Symposium, which precedes the Project Week, offers inspiration and insights to stimulate imagination for this future scenario. During the Project Week, participants work in small teams to develop a practical solution to a real-world societal problem they encounter in these scenarios, learning to apply design and entrepreneurship methods. Participants are encouraged to use generative AI tools to illustrate the solution scenarios they create and use prototyping to articulate their vision.
Participants will reflect on and integrate their newly acquired skills after the project week. And perhaps most importantly, developing entrepreneurship and design competencies is fun – and leaves you hopeful and confident to be able to actively shape major social transformations.
Core elements:
- Impulse Symposium on December 14, 2023, 9.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m., Vorhoelzer Forum, TUM Main Campus.
- Project Week from January 8–12, 2024, daily 9.30 a.m. – 4.00 p.m., Vorhoelzer Forum, TUM Main Campus.
- Revision and feedback on January 25 & 26, 2024; individual appointments via Zoom.
- Presentation on February 1, 2024, 9.30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., TUM Entrepreneurship Research Institute Garching.
- Reflection (to be submitted individually)
You can find more information about the course in this flyer (PDF, 2 MB).
Contact: Prof. Anne Tryba, TUM School of Management; Prof. Annette Diefenthaler, TUM School of Engineering and Design
For: Master students from all disciplines and schools
ECTS: 6
Registration: Via TUM Online (Module: MGT001410S).
The ecological and climate crisis that we are facing today demands that we think and work differently and, in particular, that we teach and learn differently. We cannot solve these issues alone and have to learn not only the processes but also the language by which to communicate with other disciplines. To value our resources and to value the greater ecology of our cities, we have to work in interdisciplinary collaborations that see the aesthetic question as deeply tied to the technical and the ecological. Being resource-conscious, for example, demands that we consider the role of structures (Tragwerk) not only as a means for a building to stand but also as the expressive identity of it. It also demands that we think about the lifespan of a building and the separation of the different systems that would allow us to more responsibly care for a building over the years. Moreover, it requires that we rethink the question of building technologies and how we achieve comfort in buildings through natural or passive means. These are all concepts that require a close relationship between engineer and architect.
The “Constructing Logics: Towards an integrated architectural design” Project Week will allow students to have a focused and in-depth investigation into the integration of structural engineering and climate-responsive design. Taking their semester project as a reference, students will design and build a large-scale physical model during the week that will explore the following:
1. The role of structural engineering in shaping the experience and atmosphere of the space through exposed structures.
2. The integration of daylight into the space by natural means.
3. The integration of natural ventilation and passive heating/cooling measures together with the structural design.
4. The relationship of these technical measures as architectural opportunities in designing the space, the façade, and the functional relationships in a building.
Contact: Romy Karbjinski, TUM School of Engineering and Design
For: Bachelor students of Architecture
Period: January 8–12, 2024
The Project Week “Development of Data Analysis Tools and Communication Strategies to Address Harmful Online Content” will be conducted as a partnership between the Chair of Public Policy, Governance and Innovative Technology, the TUM Think Tank and the Meldestelle REspect! as an external partner organization. The goal of this project is to teach students how to appropriately complete a data analysis and review online take-down requests for actionable insights. These insights will then be disseminated to the public via communication campaigns.
Contact: Brittany Engle, TUM School of Social Sciences and Technology
For: Students of all disciplines and schools
Project schedule: kick-off event 09.11.2023, self-study phase 01.12.2024–31.12.2023, Project Week 8.–12.01.2024, final data analysis and creation of the communication plan 13.01.2024–31.03.2024
The foundation seminar “Ecologies of Building” focuses on the architect's role. As architects, we possess the capacity to design systems with impact in the built environment. Within interdisciplinary teams, we'll create prototypes that drive a sustainable transformation of the TUM Campus Schragenhofstraße. In collaboration with the Institute of Sustainable Mobile Powertrains, we envision a bottom-up campus transformation via holistic design and architectural solutions.
We explore turning the campus into a flexible research area. We consider changes to the institute's architecture opening to partners in academia and industry. We address smart energy management bridging the gap between energy transition and mobility, showcasing a comprehensive approach.
In mixed teams of students and TUM experts, we develop scalable prototypes during a Design Sprint. We build on the micro-grid concept, allowing the institute to be self-sufficient and a pioneer in merging mobility and energy. Expert inputs contribute to this, acting as a foundation. Those experts share practical knowledge during Design Sprints, mentoring student teams. They support us in theme selection, manufacturing 1:1 prototypes, and validating future scenarios. By Design Sprints we translate prior analyses into forward-looking circular strategies for the TUM Schragenhofstraße Campus development.
Contact: Victoria Schweyer, TUM School of Engineering and Design
For: Master students of all disciplines and schools
TUMonline module no.: ED120053
ECTS: 3
Period: January 8–12, 2024
In the project "Engineering of an enzyme for the conversion of sugars from biomass hydrolysates", students from the modules "Enzyme Engineering" are to optimize an enzyme from the class of dehydrogenases by various, state-of-the-art methods in order to change its substrate specificity. This brings together students from Garching and Straubing from a total of five courses of study. The optimization of the enzyme should make it possible to convert sugars such as glucose or xylose from biomass hydrolysates into valuable chemicals. the overriding goal is to feed different sugars into the same synthesis pathways to produce a homogeneous product from an inhomogeneous raw material. The amplification of DNA and production of protein variants to be tested is dependent on the use of bacterial cells (E. coli). In order to guarantee an implementation period of one week, staff members of the department will therefore carry out the corresponding preparatory and follow-up work.
Saturation mutagenesis as well as singulation of the resulting variants will take place in advance. During the project week, the DNA of these variants will then be isolated, IVTT reactions and activity screening will be performed. Production of individual improved variants and their characterization will also take place during the project week. For random mutagenesis, mutagenesis as well as screening via FADS will take place during the project week. The correct mutagenesis conditions will be determined in advance by members of the department. After screening, the DNA of the positive clones will be isolated, variants separated and DNA prepared for sequencing. The results of the sequencing will be discussed with the participants after the actual project week. The production and characterization of the improved variants will be carried out by members of the department.
Contact: Dr. Enrico Hupfeld, TUM Campus Straubing
For: Students of Biological Sciences from different locations and different degree programs
Period: January 8–12, 2024
The interdisciplinary project “FEM for FSI with Open Source Software” deals with the challenges of coupled phenomena in nature and technology and their numerical simulation with FEM. Internationally recognized experts give insight into the latest innovations in research and high-performance computing as well as into the implementation of different solution strategies for FSI in the open source software Kratos Multiphysics. In the project work, students are immersed in this numerical environment and solve various challenges from the field of fluid-structure interaction in interdisciplinary teams.
Contact: Dr.-Ing. Ann-Kathrin Goldbach, TUM School of Engineering and Design
For: Students from all disciplines, especially from the TUM Schools of Natural Sciences, Life Sciences and Medicine and Health.
TUMonline module no.: BGU32022
ECTS: 3
Period: January 8–12, 2024
At this hackathon, 12 teams will compete in challenges to develop analysis models around footbal based on spatiotemporal player and ball data of Bundesliga matches.
The results will be evaluated by experts from science, professional football and the sports industry. The three best teams will be invited to SportsInnovation 2024 in Düsseldorf, where they will compete in the finals for prize money of up to 2,000 euros.
Contact: PD Dr. Daniel Link, TUM School of Medicine and Health.
For: Master students of Sport Science and Computer Science
ECTS: 5
Period: January 8–13, 2024
In this TUM-accredited course students learn in five intensive days why and how to develop life-centric business ideas through applying an entrepreneurial mindset and innovative methods – always considering the triple bottom line. While working on a challenge from a partner in an interdisciplinary team they will develop first business idea concepts and pitch them at the end of the event. The participants will get practical insights, useful templates and tools, constant feedback and opportunities to reflect on their learnings. It is a great opportunity for students to get out of their comfort zone, get to know new people and to develop an entrepreneurial mindset.
Contact: Juliane Schuster, UnternehmerTUM
For: Students from all disciplines and schools
Period: January 8–12, 2024
The project shows students how problems from medical diagnostics can be solved with technological approaches, using the development of a device for hearing screening as an example. The project is interdisciplinary between medicine, engineering and a commercial enterprise (SME). Students will learn about the thinking and requirements from these fields, including important aspects of medical device approval and commercial exploitation. The project schedule includes an introduction to the required basics, a field trip to the medical technology company PATH MEDICAL (Germering near Munich). The following two days consist of practical content on mechanical and electrical design, rapid prototyping (3D printing), and software development. Here, the students are to concentrate on a part in which they can optimally apply their previous knowledge. On the last day, the participant:s will perform measurements on their hearing with the resulting system and are expected to develop project ideas and business models for start-ups.
Contact: Prof. Werner Hemmert, TUM School of Coputation, Information and Technology
For: Especially students of Medicine and Engineering
Period: January 8–12, 2024
Our project aims to employ VR technology and AI in the creation of an innovative educational platform, enabling students and global audiences to conceptualize, develop, and engage with immersive experiences centered around Arts and Cultural Heritage. Focusing initially on Bavarian beer heritage, the platform's breadth will extend to encompass the diverse cultural aspects of Bavaria and other global cultural heritage topics.
The scope of our project is not limited to Bavarian beer heritage; it will also encapsulate other vital aspects of Bavarian cultures, such as traditional cuisine, festivals, architecture, and crafts. The platform is built with adaptability in mind, allowing the integration of additional cultural heritage themes, such as:
- Exploration of historical and architectural marvels of castles and palaces
- Investigation into local folktales and legends
- Immersion into the rich traditions of Bavarian music and dance
According to UNESCO, integrating technology into education, particularly in areas related to cultural heritage, fosters a better understanding of cultural diversity and encourages mutual respect among different cultures. Our project is aligned with this notion, positioning itself as an important tool in the development of educational technologies. With the aid of VR/AR technology, our platform aims to communicate intercultural knowledge in a more immersive and accessible way, bridging the gap between different cultures. This innovative approach not only enhances the learning experience but also promotes a deeper understanding and appreciation of global cultural heritage.
Contact: Carrie Lau, TUM School of Social Sciences and Technology
For: Students of all disciplines and schools
Period: January 8–12, 2024
Lifestyle factors such as nutrition, physical activity (PA), and sleep are all of paramount importance for lifelong human health and well-being. Their measurement remains challenging under free-living conditions, but the advent of modern sensors, wearables and smartphone technology has revolutionized how we can track our lifestyle and connect them with long-term health. In recent years, research and technology has further advanced automated detection of nutrition, PA, and sleep.
In this interdisciplinary project, we aim to provide students from a wide range of backgrounds (e.g., health & sport science, medicine, nutrition, computer sciences) with a project-centered introduction to this cutting-edge topic. In the 4 ECTS, English-language course, students will learn both theoretical underpinning of different approaches and conduct self-devised experiments, in which they will collect and analyze their own data. Possible experiments involve lifestyle challenges (e.g., dietary change, disruption of habitual sleep cycle, exercise) and will be conducted as group projects (e.g., 4 students per group).
To maximize student engagement, we use both synchronous and asynchronous approaches. As part of their project, students will be familiarized with a broad range of sensors and wearables that can be used to automatically detect eating behavior, PA, and/or sleep, including continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), accelerometry-based approaches, and video-based solutions, which will be integrated and analyzed using advanced computing and statistical approaches. Students will further have access to use laboratory-grade methods (e.g., indirect calorimetry, EEG, bioelectrical impedance analysis) for validation.
After completion of the project week, students will submit an extended research abstract (1,500 words excluding references, including one figure or table) summarizing their small-scale pilot study. Consistent with open science principles, students will also make their (anonymized) raw data, statistical analyses, and code available on a private GitHub repository. The entire project week will conform with data protection uidelines and will be registered in TUM’s data management system.
Contact: Prof. Karsten Köhler, TUM Department of Sport and Health Sciences
For: Students from all disciplines and schools, especially from Medicine, Sports and Health Sciences, Nutrition, Computer Science
ECTS: 4
Period: January 8–12, 2024
In group work, you will be designing and constructing a resource-efficient, sustainable mockup of a structure made of bricks, timber, and clay. Thereby identifying and incorporating certain cross-disciplinary boundaries. This will include the calculation and design of dimensions, manufacturing processes, or design impact assessments. Various materials and machines will be provided at the 1:1 Design Factory of the TUM where the construction of the mockups will take place.
In preparation, you will already acquire the necessary background knowledge of the individual topics in group work during the winter semester 23/24 and present your findings to your peers.
Contact: Dr.-Ing. Karl Martin Heißler, Dominik Merk, TUM School of Engineering and Design)
Further information: www.cee.ed.tum.de/hbb/lehre/projektwochen/
For: Bachelor students (5th Semester or higher) and master students of all disciplines and schools
TUMonline module no.: BGU51011
ECTS: 3
Period: January 8–12, 2024 + two input lectures (one each in October and November)