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Faculty

Study and Research at one of the most research-intensive engineering faculties in Germany

Founded in 1457, the University of Freiburg is one of the most prestigious universities in Germany. Its Faculty of Engineering was created in 1995 in order to combine the course offerings under one interdisciplinary umbrella through technologies of the future such as microsystems engineering, embedded systems, sustainable systems and computer science.

Working on "feeling" prostheses, developing autonomous robots, making intelligent, self-healing materials or researching "green" technologies and dealing with sustainable energy systems and materials - our engineers and computer scientists make visions come true and make contributions to change the world for the better.

Research and teaching are closely intertwined so that the latest research findings flow directly into teaching. It benefits our students immensely who get to actively participate in solving future societal and technical issues.

One Faculty – Three Successful Departments

With our unique nationwide constellation that includes

  • a Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK)
  • a Department of Computer Science (IIF)
  • a Department of Sustainable Systems Engineering (INATECH)

and the cooperation with five Fraunhofer institutes along with the Hahn-Schickard institutes, we offer an ideal environment for research at the highest level.

Modern Campus

The Faculty has an excellent infrastructure directly on its own campus: short distances, modern technical equipment (including a clean room), extensive e-learning services, its own library and extended opening hours. We offer students and researchers excellent working, research and learning conditions.

European Campus – Trinational studies

Through the consortium of universities in the Upper Rhine bordering Germany, France and Switzerland in the "European Campus" - EUCOR, students have access to lectures at the other member universities, gain experience abroad and strengthen their language skills.

In Demand in Business and Research

Our graduates are highly sought-after engineers and computer scientists in business and research throughout the world. Whether in the USA, in Asia, in Europe or here in the region - we are proud of our alumni who are active in the most varied fields of medical technology, automotive industry, software companies and more. Want to start your own business? We support our graduates in these endeavors as well and look forward to many successful start-ups over the years.

Facts and figures

A brief overview of the faculty in numbers:

  • 2.500 students (20% female, 36% international)
  • 300 graduates, 75 PhD graduates (per year)
  • 55 professors (number growing rapidly)
  • 500 scientific, technical and administrative employees

(status 2023)

 

Awards and rankings

Examples of international ranking results:

  • Thomson Reuters’ Innovation Ranking 2019: 
    The Canadian media group Thomson Reuter’s ranking lists universities whose innovations are strongest in promoting academic and technological progress and which have the greatest impact on the global economy. It sees the University of Freiburg in an excellent position at the national level, ranking Freiburg second in Baden-Württemberg and seventh in Germany.
    (Reuters international Most Innovative University Ranking 2019). Our work with successful publications, patents and start-ups has contributed significantly to our top position.
  • Times Higher Education Ranking 2020: Number 5 in Germany. In an international comparison, the University of Freiburg ranks 83rd (previous year 86th), and nationwide it ranks fifth among comprehensive universities. The ranking assesses more than 1,500 universities worldwide, including 48 from Germany. It evaluates the performance of universities in the dimensions of teaching, research, publications, technology transfer and internationalization.
  • Shanghai Ranking 2021: Amongst German research universities, the University of Freiburg ranks in places five to seven. In the specialisms “Environmental Sciences,” “Human Biology,” and “Agricultural Sciences, the University of Freiburg is in the international Top 75. It has also risen to 31st place in the subject group “Medical Technology.”

Teaching Awards

  • “Instructional Development Award“ (IDA) at the University (September 2019): Professor Dr. Thorsten Schmidt, Assistant Professor Dr. Philipp Harms and Prof. Dr. Frank Hutter (Institute of Mathematics and Informatics Institute): Machine learning and artificial intelligence in Freiburg
  • E-Learning Award for the University of Freiburg “Flipped Classroom Project": Dr. Martin Mann, Bioinformatics, IIF (February 2016)
  • Award for innovative studies at the University of Freiburg “Embedded Control Project:” Prof. Dr. Moritz Diehl, Chair of Systems Theory and Feedback Control, IMTEK (June 2016)
  • SMILE – Smartphones in Teaching and SMILE+: Prof. Dr. Bernd Becker, Chair of Computer Architecture, IIF
    • “Instructional Development Award“ (IDA) at the University (June 2015).
    • Further development of the Debate-o-Meter, i.e.. for the evaluation of “elephant rounds” (weighty debates) during state elections (2017)

Awards / Prizes for Students and Doctoral Candidates

  • Student competition COSIMA – First Place for “SmartFaraday-Team”
    An interdisciplinary team of microsystems engineers, ESE and innovation management students have developed an intelligent as well as energy-independent bicycle pedal (November 2017)
  • Maxi Frei receives the Maria Gräfin von Linden Prize 2017 (November 2017)

 

For more information about current prizes and awards, please visit our news portal or facebook.

 

Mission Statement and Rector Speech on the Faculty's 10th anniversary