Text and photos: Cornelia Freund
ED: What fascinates you about Computational Mechanics?
Anastazja: When I finished my bachelor´s degree in Mechanical Engineering, I realized that for modern engineers it is very important to stay in touch with programming and to understand what's behind the programs we are using. That made me choose this program and I think it was a very good choice.
Guisela: For me it is about how we use the theory of mechanical engineering and then also introduce a software in it. The combination of both fields is what I have always been interested in. I looked for a master program particularly in mechanical software - and then the program at TUM came up.
How did you come to your choice of studies?
Guisela: At the end of my bachelor´s studies I was in the coding part of a research project, and I wanted to use this software in mechanical programs. This was why I wanted to search for a master´s degree program: to keep going on.
Anastazja: My bachelor´s studies were already quite broad and then I still didn't know in which specific area to turn into, so I decided to keep the broad spectrum and have all the possibilities to choose from.
You are both in the third semester, and among other subjects you are currently taking the compulsory module “Software Lab”, which is a hands-on group-project. What is it all about?
Anastazja: We were able to choose the topics we were most interested in from different fields. I was doing a project called “optimization of positioning of the artificial heart” with an external company. They offer simulations in the medical field and their main goal is to provide virtual patients, so developers can test their devices in the simulation instead of humans or animals.
Guisela: I work in a project related with civil and environmental engineering. My topic was about translating technical drawings from old buildings into computational models and how to deploy these digital simulations. Many old buildings need to be renewed, and it is much easier and cost-effective to have a model beforehand.
Isn´t it difficult to switch from one topic to another - from civil to medical engineering and from automotive to aerospace?
Anastazja: The background is definitely much different, but on the other hand: When we are going into simulations it is basically either structural or fluid mechanics, and it goes down to quite similar things in the end.
Guisela: The transition is quite easy when you understand the principles. I love to learn, and for me it was thrilling how to read those civil technical drawings.
What do you enjoy most about your studies?
Anastazja: It definitely comes down to communication because when you're creating simulations, then in the end you either have to combine it with some other work or just need some help. It is definitely great to have a good cooperation and it's really great to exchange ideas and see other points of view. Having contact with people from interdisciplinary fields – with different backgrounds and different points of view – is always very developing.
Guisela: And it’s also always so gratifying to see the end product when you finish your project. Whether it is the stunning model or the projection – it is a benchmark if you like experimenting.
What are the further plans for your career?
Guisela: I am open to what the future will bring to me. It would be great if I could go back to Canada to pursue my research career. Another option would be going back to Ecuador and continue teaching at the university in my country. And I am open to the opportunities in the mechanical field - I can well imagine working in production or manufacturing.
Anastazja: I already started working and hopefully I will be able to write my master thesis with the company. As I really like the field of medical engineering it seems purposeful to me and I would probably like to continue in that. And in some further future I think about doing a PhD, but I don't want to go straight into that. I´d like to work in the industry and get some “pure practice”, let's say.
Information about the degree program: www.come.tum.de