The Technical College in Aalen, the University for Technology and Economics offers its students courses in surface technology and material sciences. These studies belong to the school of mechanical engineering and material technology and are closely linked to the courses in general mechanical engineering, product engineering and plastics technology.           Universities           Fachhochschule Aalen / Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft In the surface technology / material science course of studies, students gain specific knowledge of the structures, functions and testing of the materials used in mechanical engineering. They also learn about the safe use of techniques used in surface treatment (lacquering, galvanising), in design, corrosion protection, metrology and environmental processing technology. This course of studies opens career prospects in electrical, traffic, medical, micro-structure or enamelling engineering. In addition, a course on international technical marketing is offered as the main focus of studies.         Hochschule für Gestaltung / Fachhochschule Schwäbisch Gmünd The design department at the Technical College in Schwäbisch Gmünd provides impulses for future-orientated studies in product and environmental design as a result of an academically based fundamental course of studies. An interdisciplinary co-operation between the Technical Colleges in Aalen and Schwäbisch Gmünd was initiated in 2003, combining design, science and engineering.