High quality teaching at the HAW Hamburg is very important. The university therefore offers individual as well as team coaching for newly appointed professors and lecturers. Teachers can also rely on extensive opportunities for continuing education (e.g. on topics such as skill orientation and problem-based learning). Teaching is characterised by high practical relevance. Lectures on Natural Science and technical topics are generally accompanied by practicals in laboratories.

The internationalisation is a special priority for the faculty. It has an International Office that supports students looking to spend time abroad. Visiting students are supervised in what is referred to as a ‘buddy programme’. Bachelor's students can complete their practical semester abroad. International exchange is facilitated through numerous foreign partner universities and membership in international networks (e.g. CARPE). Support is also provided for assistant professor exchanges. There is a wide range of English-language courses in the summer semester.

The university has modern, well-equipped laboratories where practicals can be carried out to support lectures. With the EnergyCampus, the department has its own modern research centre with state-of-the-art equipment.

Research projects are interdisciplinary, encompassing degree courses, are nationwide and international in the key areas of renewable energy sources as well as environmental risk assessment and technical environmental protection. The department participates on the Energy Campus (www.cc4e.de) with its own wind turbines and research projects, including protecting bats from wind turbines, and has its own solar power systems. Solutions for the sustainability of pharmaceuticals are developed in the interdisciplinary PharmCycle project. International research is conducted in environmental analysis in the North and Baltic Sea using innovative methods.

In the stage I studies, close collaboration with the Biotechnology, Medical Technology and Process Engineering departments within the faculty of Life Sciences. Possibility of interdisciplinary research with these departments and partner universities in various research and transfer centres and on research focuses of the faculty of Life Sciences.