What does the day-to-day work of systems engineers with an HF diploma look like?

HF system technicians (formerly HF system technology technicians) are specialists in complex networked systems and work in areas such as automation, drive technology, medical technology, mechanical engineering and measurement technology. To develop new products, they analyze customer needs and technical requirements and look for solutions that can be implemented with the current technological possibilities. They evaluate assemblies and components and link them with control systems to create functioning systems. To do this, they design the data interfaces and connections between electronics and mechanics.

HF system technology technicians (new: HF system technicians) lead work or project groups that build and commission automated systems. They monitor and maintain existing systems and, if necessary, optimize processes or make adjustments to components. To this end, they work together with engineers or production managers to ensure the exchange of information within the team. To maintain their expertise, they undergo continuous further training and are constantly familiarizing themselves with new technologies.

Please note: In individual cases and depending on the job profile/function and company, the tasks may differ slightly (frequency, weighting, distribution, etc.).

Target group and skills: For whom is the systems engineering degree course to become a systems engineer HF suitable?

The systems engineering course at a university of applied sciences to become a systems engineer HF (formerly technician HF systems engineering) is suitable for

• Young professionals in systems engineering who are looking for a professional career
• People who want to further their education in the field of systems engineering

System technicians HF should have the following personal qualities and skills:

• Technical understanding
• Sense of responsibility
• Communication skills
• Independent and reliable way of working
• analytical and conceptual skills
• Ability to work in a team

Requirements for admission to the HF Systems Engineering degree program:

Each university of applied sciences decides independently on the admission procedure for systems engineering studies. There may therefore be differences between the universities of applied sciences (HF).* The admission procedure of the HFs is based on the relevant legal principles and is regulated in their respective study regulations.

In order to be able to start an HF systems engineering course to become an HF systems engineer (formerly HF systems engineering technician) at a university of applied sciences (HF), you must generally meet the following admission requirements.

• Completion of relevant basic vocational training with a federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) **

Or

• Completion of a 3-year basic vocational training course (EFZ) in another field or Matura and relevant professional experience (usually at least 1 year) in the technical field

Further conditions:

• Many schools require at least 50% employment in the technical field during the part-time HF Systems Engineering course.
• In addition, depending on the school, an entrance examination or aptitude test is carried out and/or attendance of a preliminary course, for example in mathematics, is required.

Note: In some cases, it is possible to have educational achievements already completed credited. Please contact the provider of your choice directly.

* The courses offered by the universities of applied sciences (HF) are based on framework curricula developed jointly by education providers and industry associations and approved by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). If the PET colleges adhere to existing framework curricula in the detailed design of their courses, their PET courses are federally recognized and lead to a protected title.

** A list of the relevant EFZs can be found in theFramework curriculumfor system technicians HF / system technicians HF.

Subject matter and content of the training

In principle, the content of the HF systems engineering course for HF systems engineers is based on the "HF systems engineering" framework curriculum. The sponsors are Swissmem, Swissmechanic, SVFB Schweizerischer Verband Flugtechnischer Betriebe and Swiss Medtech as organizations of the working world (OdA) and the Konferenz der Höheren Fachschulen Technik KHF-T as a representative of the training providers. They are responsible for drawing up the framework curriculum and periodically checking that it is up to date and of high quality.

Nevertheless, the universities of applied sciences have a certain amount of leeway in the design of their courses for future systems engineers HF (formerly technicians HF systems engineering). Which course content is ultimately covered and how it is structured or deepened can therefore vary from college to college. The PET colleges can also offer specializations, for example.*

The following topics are generally covered in a systems engineering degree course:

• Mathematics, Statistics
• Physics
• Electrical engineering
• Computer science
• System technology
• Electronics
• Materials
• Project management
• Programming
• Digital technology
• Automation
• Control engineering
• Law
• Business administration
• Finance and accounting
• Leadership

*Such a specialization may focus on a maximum of 10% of the total learning hours. The protected title of "qualified systems engineer HF" remains unchanged.

Costs and financing of further training

The costs vary depending on the provider, training location and training model. In general, the following costs can be expected for the 6-semester HF systems engineering course:

• Tuition feesThe semester fee depends on the school and your canton of residence. You can expect to pay between CHF 20,700 and CHF 25,800 for students resident in the canton of training*. The costs for the examinations and diploma thesis are usually included in the course fees.
• Additional costsSome providers charge extra costs for the enrolment fee and student card, preliminary courses (optional), teaching materials, special software, licenses, laboratory exercises, practicals, training documents, examination/diploma thesis and examination retakes. Find out about the additional costs directly from the HF of your choice.

* Courses at universities of applied sciences are financially supported by the cantons. Students from outside the canton pay higher tuition fees. The following conditions apply in order to receive cantonal funding:

• at least two years of residence in the canton
• The course is listed on the EDK (Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education) list of eligible courses (you will find the link to the list in the answer texts).

Duration of study, number of lessons and learning effort

• Duration of study:The HF systems engineering degree course to become a qualified HF systems engineer (formerly HF systems engineering technician) has a modular structure. It is offered full-time (4 semesters) and part-time (6 semesters)*.
• Number of lessons:With a relevant EFZ, the course comprises 3600 learning hours. For courses without a relevant EFZ, the number of learning hours generally increases to 5400 learning hours, please contact the school of your choice. The professional activity (practical experience in a relevant occupation) during the part-time HF Systems Engineering course is credited with a maximum of 720 hours (with a relevant EFZ) or a maximum of 1800 hours (without a relevant EFZ) towards the training period. The practical training (internships in a practice-oriented or real field of work accompanied by specialists) in full-time studies amounts to at least 720 hours (with relevant EFZ) or at least 1800 hours (without relevant EFZ). Learning hours also include contact studies (with qualified supervision), guided self-study, individual self-study and qualification procedures (e.g. semester examinations, intermediate examinations, diploma examinations, diploma theses or assessed semester theses). How these learning hours are divided up in terms of time is defined in the framework curriculum.
• Training models:The course is offered part-time and full-time. The teaching times (day school or evening school) are determined by the respective HF school. For example, lessons take place on two working days per week, two half days per week or one evening and one full day per week.
• Teaching format:Many schools offer a mix of face-to-face and online courses (online, hybrid teaching, blended learning).
• Learning effort:You should allow sufficient time to prepare for and follow up on the lessons and for self-study - how much depends on your prior knowledge, working style, learning speed and chosen training model. We recommend that you allow at least 4-6 hours per week for the part-time model.

* At some schools, professionals with a technical vocational baccalaureate can benefit from a shortened course of study. Please contact the school of your choice directly.

Note: Some schools offer so-called "taster lessons"/"trial lessons". This gives you the opportunity to gain an insight into the lessons and the learning atmosphere. Important aspects on the way to a successful graduation. Take the opportunity and contact the school of your choice directly.

Degree, diploma and title

The degree course in Systems Engineering HF (formerly Technician HF Systems Engineering) generally concludes with a practice-oriented diploma thesis and oral or written examinations. The details of the implementation are regulated by the respective HF in its study regulations. The final qualification procedure is often as follows:

1. The results of the previousSemester examsand/or evaluatedTerm papers(so-called experience grades)
2. Diploma thesisThe thesis is practice-oriented; candidates have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and networked thinking. The thesis is written individually on a topic relevant to systems engineering. It is written at the end of the course (can also be integrated into the 5th or 6th semester). Here too, the time frame is determined by the respective HF in its study regulations.
3. The thesis is also presented to a group of experts (expert panel).presentsand then defended in a discussion.

Diploma and title

Graduates of the course receive an HF diploma and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected professional title "Dipl. Systemtechnikerin / dipl. Systemtechniker HF".

In French: "Technicienne diplômée ES en systèmes industriels / Technicien diplômé ES en systèmes industriels"

In Italian: "Tecnica dipl. SSS in tecninca dei sistemi / Technico dipl. SSS in tecninca dei sistemi"

In English: "Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education in Systems Engineering" (Note: This is merely a translation or recommendation and not a protected title).