The history of the faculty

The Faculty of Engineering is the youngest of Kiel University’s faculties. A brief history of the faculty will follow below. You can find the detailed long version (in german only) of the faculty’s résumé in the timeline.

 

Prof. Langmaack tells the story of the “Department of Computer Science and Practical Mathematics”, which was founded back in 1971, in a keynote speech.(in german only)

The history of the faculty - in brief

At the end of 1989, a site survey recommends founding a Faculty of Engineering at Kiel University offering a degree programme in “Electrical Engineering, Materials Science and Computer Science”. The Schleswig-Holstein government follows this recommendation in 1990. Additional summary of important events:

1991

    The first lab and office spaces are occupied on the grounds of the Linotype-Hell AG in Kiel Gaarden, which is still the location today.

    The first 3 professors are appointed. Prof. Helmut Föll is appointed Founding Dean by Minister of Education and Arts Tidick.

    Studies begin in the Electrical Engineering degree programme, with 41 students.

1992

    The second engineering degree programme starts: Materials Science.

1993

    Computer Science moves from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences to the Faculty of Engineering, without actually leaving its own rooms on the campus grounds.

    The third engineering degree programme starts: Engineering with Computer Science.

    Cost accounting is introduced to the Faculty of Engineering (the first of its kind at a university in Schleswig-Holstein).

1994

    The 4th degree programme is set up as a Diploma in Computer Science.

1995

    The first doctoral degree at the Faculty of Engineering: Diplom-Informatikerin Bettina Buth completes her doctoral degree in Computer Science (the 100th doctoral degree was then as early as 2002, and the 250th was in 2009) .

1996

    The Faculty of Engineering’s first summer festival with a ceremonial presentation of the first three Diplomas in Electrical Engineering (after 4.5 years).

1998

    The Faculty of Engineering hosts the state contest “Jugend forscht - Schüler experimentieren” for the first time. The project "Schul-AG" starts with the Heikendorfer Gymnasium.

1999

    New introduction of the degree programmes “Master Study Course Materials Science and Engineering” and “Electrical Engineering and Business Management”.

2000

    Materials Science holds first place in the student ruling of the CHE/STERN Ranking.

2001

    Digital Communications is introduced as a new international Master’s degree programme. 17 new international students are registered.

2002

    The (Bachelor’s) degree programme in Computer Science is introduced.

2004

  The first Girls Day at the Faculty of Engineering.

2005

  Record number of new students register for the degree programme in Electrical Engineering, Information Technology and Business Management (105 new students).

2006

 The Institute of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology and the Institute for Materials Science are founded. Together with Computer Science, the Faculty of Engineering is now divided into three institutes.

2008

  Prof. Martina Gerken is appointed the first female professor.

2009

  The German Research Foundation (DFG) decides to establish the CRC 855 “Magnetoelectric Composites - future biomagnetic interfaces”.

2011

    As part of his first visit in Schleswig-Holstein, Federal President Christian Wulff inspects the nano-lab at the Faculty of Engineering, together with Minister-President Peter-Harry Carstensen.

2012

   The conversion and partial reconfiguration of the degree programmes from a Diploma qualification to Master and Bachelor has now been achieved.