Teaching in the department is done in close cooperation with practical partners from various sectors. More than 90 % of final dissertations are carried out in cooperation with industrial partners. Laboratory practicals and excursions are an integral part of the course. A range of English-language modules which allow students from abroad to study here for one semester deserve a special mention. Some selected modules in the department use innovative teaching methods (problem-based learning, audience response system).

Numerous international university partnerships are in place. The degree courses Environmental Technology and Development (B.Sc.) and Business Engineering (B.Sc.) include a mandatory year abroad; Double degree programme with the Swiss German University Indonesia in the degree course Environmental Technology and Development (B.Sc.); Active international exchange of lecturers; International practice projects with student exchange and strengthening of practical relevance in teaching (DAAD projects); International summer schools with student exchange and lecturer exchange (DAAD-funded)

Very modern laboratory equipment overall. Recent technical developments and the increasing digitalisation are taken into account. Application of various simulation programs (life cycle assessment, energy systems, heat and mass transfer) in research and teaching. An energy technology laboratory is currently being expanded with high priority with different generation and storage options.

Research field in ‘Chemische und thermische Energiespeicher’: Joint project ‘Demand-oriented heat supply with waste heat - tailor-made absorbents and storage technologies for heat recovery’, funding from: TAB; Joint project ‘Energetic and Economic Optimization of the Starting Behavior of PtG Synthesis Reactors through Heat Storage’, funding from: BMWi; Research area ‘New technologies in explosion protection’ (e.g. in relation to hydrogen in power-to-gas processes), funding from: Market project

The department is an active member of a joint project with the Friedrich Schiller University (BMBF project from the Joint Federal and State Programme for Better Study Conditions and Higher Quality in Teaching). For students, this means additional courses at the partner university, cooperative teaching and study models and the relevant study advice services. Via the association of industrial engineers of Jena, the department has excellent contacts with its alumni and also offers workshops and excursions.