Car Body Development and Lightweight Construction
- Faculty
Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science
- Version
Version 1 of 25.02.2026.
- Module identifier
11M1180
- Module level
Master
- Language of instruction
German
- ECTS credit points and grading
5.0
- Module frequency
only winter term
- Duration
1 semester
- Brief description
In addition to the drive and chassis, the vehicle body is the third vehicle component whose knowledge is indispensable for vehicle developers from the perspective of the “overall vehicle”.
In the body development and lightweight construction module, students are provided with in-depth knowledge in both the areas of development and construction.
- Teaching and learning outcomes
1. Introduction to body development 2. Design criteria 3. Shell construction 4. Profile construction 5. Hybrid construction 6. Lightweight body construction 7. Materials 8. Joining technology 9. Assembly 10. Repair
- Overall workload
The total workload for the module is 135 hours (see also "ECTS credit points and grading").
- Teaching and learning methods
Lecturer based learning Workload hours Type of teaching Media implementation Concretization 30 Lecture Presence - 15 Practical project Presence - Lecturer independent learning Workload hours Type of teaching Media implementation Concretization 80 seminar paper - 10 Preparation/follow-up for course work -
- Graded examination
- Homework / Assignment
- Recommended prior knowledge
- Basic knowledge of vehicle technology,
- Knowledge of mechanics, strength of materials, kinetics and kinematics,
- Knowledge of 3D CAD
- Knowledge Broadening
The students who have successfully studied this module know the structure of a vehicle body in its different variants and designs. They are also able to apply and implement lightweight construction principles in the design.
- Knowledge deepening
The students who have successfully studied this module have the knowledge required to develop vehicle bodies and are able to take the aspect of lightweight construction into account.
- Knowledge Understanding
The students are able to evaluate the structure and components of a body and the lightweight construction potential and implement them independently.
They recognize the complex relationships between the structural components of a body, the approaches to lightweight construction optimization and can explain them.
In addition the Students apply subject-related skills and abilities in familiar and unfamiliar contexts.
- Application and Transfer
The students can apply the principles of lightweight construction in body development and select the appropriate materials and joining processes.
- Academic Innovation
Based on the knowledge they have learned, students can integrate new technologies and derive scientific innovations from them.
- Communication and Cooperation
The students can convey their ideas to employees and superiors in discussions and present them plausibly.
- Academic Self-Conception / Professionalism
The students can assess and assess existing and future challenges in car body development.
- Literature
Grabner, Nothhaft: Konstruieren von PKW-Karosserien, Springer-Verlag
Pippert: Karosserietechnik, Vogel-Verlag
Gusig, Kruse: Fahrzeugentwicklung im Automobilbau, Hanser-Verlag
Robert Bosch GmbH (Hrsg): Kraftfahrtechnisches Taschenbuch, Vieweg+Teubner
Klein: Leichtbau-Konstruktionen, Vieweg+Teubner
- Applicability in study programs
- Automotive Engineering (Master)
- Automotive Engineering M.Sc. (01.09.2025)
- Computer Science
- Computer Science M.Sc. (01.09.2025)
- Mechanical Engineering (Master)
- Mechanical Engineering M.Sc. (01.09.2025)
- Person responsible for the module
- Sch?fers, Christian
- Teachers
- Sch?fers, Christian