Computational Electromagnetics (CEM)
Are you excited by the challenge of simulating electromagnetic fields in complex technical systems or even biological organisms? In the Computational Electromagnetics specialization, you’ll master advanced numerical methods for Maxwell’s equations and apply industry-standard tools like CST Studio Suite, COMSOL Multiphysics, and Altair FEKO to real-world engineering projects. If you want to combine theory, high-level simulation, and hands-on team projects to optimize cutting-edge devices, this specialization will suit your interests the best!
Description of the Specialization
Computational Electromagnetics focuses on the computer-aided simulation of electromagnetic field distributions and additional multi-physically coupled field effects in complex technological and biological systems. Usual applications involve the simulation of complex energy transport and conversion systems in power engineering as well as realistic 3D simulations of complicated electromagnetic compatibility problems e.g., in automotive engineering (especially for novel electric-drive automobiles) or numerical electro-magnetic field dosimetric testing with high resolution models of biological organisms. This requires the mathematical modelling of the electromagnetic field problems with the Maxwell equations, a set of partial derivative equations, which describe all macroscopic electromagnetic phenomena, and their discretization into discrete formulations suitable for computational numerical solutions. This also involves geometric discretization schemes such as e.g., the Finite Integration Technique or the Whitney Finite Element Method which directly reformulate the Maxwell equations into a set of matrix equations. These so-called Maxwell-Grid-Equations allow to formulate a fully computer compatible discrete electromagnetic field theory. The computer implementation of the usually large sparse algebraic, differential algebraic or ordinary differential systems of equations resulting from these discretization techniques requires advanced numerical solution techniques. This includes solution techniques for large systems of ordinary and partial differential equations and also relies on modern methods of numerical linear algebra. Efficient techniques will be addressed involving also aspects of hardware-oriented programming.
Module 1. Computational Electromagnetics 1 (CEM1) – mandatory
Workload: 8 ECTS (240 hours, 1 semester)
Final assessment: oral or written exam, not restricted in attempts
Components:
• Computational Electromagnetics (CEM1-a)
Discrete electromagnetic field theory: Continuous geometric discretization methods for Maxwell’s equations (FiniteDifference-method, Finite Integration Technique, Cell Method, Whitney Finite Element Method), discrete field formulations, implementations (commercial/research) and practical applications for electromagnetic/multiphysical field problems in complex systems/biological organisms.
Module 2. Computational Electromagnetics 2 (CEM2) – mandatory
Workload: 8 ECTS (240 hours, 1 semester)
Final assessment: 30-minutes oral exam, not restricted in attempts
Components:
• Computational Electromagnetics - CEM-Lab Project (CEM2-a)
Team work on industry style projects including commercial electromagnetic field simulations tools (e.g. CST Suite, SEMCAD, FEKO, COMSOL) and/or custom made implementations of simulation tools. Projects goals and the selection of the CEM simulation tools may vary depending on the devices /systems to be modelled. Team presentation of project results within two oral project presentations (first mid semester, second at end of semester) and a written scientific report (paper) to be handed in at the end of the semester.
At least 24 ECTS credits (or 13% of completed Bachelor´s degree) in the following fields: Electromagnetics/Electromagnetic Theory, Applied Mathematics, Numerical Techniques in Engineering/Computational Engineering.
You can check yourself, if you can study on this specialization by completing the:
The graduates of the Computational Electromagnetics specialization can work in Power engineering and energy systems (generation, transmission, smart grids, renewable energy); Automotive and e-mobility (electric drives, EMC analysis, battery systems, wireless charging); Aerospace and telecommunications (antennas, radar systems, wave propagation, high-frequency components); Electronics and electrical engineering; Biomedical engineering and medical technology (electromagnetic dosimetry, imaging systems); Research institutions and industrial R&D centres; Scientific software development and high-performance computing.
The typical job positions include Computational Engineer, Simulation Engineer, Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Specialist, CAE (Computer-Aided Engineering) Engineer, R&D Engineer, Numerical Methods Developer, Scientific Software Engineer, High-Performance Computing Specialist, Technical Consultant in simulation and modelling. Graduates can also continue their academic career by doctoral studies and academic research in computational electromagnetics and multi-physics simulation.
Please, see the Master Theses examples by the following link:
Gallery
Contacts
Person responsible for the specialization:
Prof. Dr. Markus Clemens, +49 202 439 1924, clemens[at]uni-wuppertal.de
Lecturers:
- Prof. Dr. Markus Clemens (clemens[at]uni-wuppertal.de) – Computational Electromagnetics I
- Dr. Norman Haußmann (haussmann[at]uni-wuppertal.de) – Computational Electromagnetics I
Links:
Chair of Electromagnetic Theory
Last modified: 30.03.2026
