For over 35 years project work has been part of academic study in the department from the very start. In it, projects are processed in an interdisciplinary manner in order to provide professional orientation (in the Bachelor's programme) and to understand processes within projects (in the Master's degree programme). The department unifies teaching and research in the field of engineering solutions for the built environment. The aim is to gain academic insights through integration into lectures and the application of these insights in engineering practice.

In the era of increasing internationalisation, a period abroad in conjunction with studies represents a valuable additional qualification. The department supports the students in completing a period abroad. In addition to the usual programmes (e.g. Erasmus+) for exchange, study programmes were developed with selected partner universities, which conclude in a double degree. These programmes are offered in cooperation with KTH Stockholm, the Écoles Centrales in Lyon and Nantes, Aalto University in Helsinki, KU Leuven as well as with the University of Rhode Island.

The department maintains a large PC pool (incl. AI laboratory) for students and various student workspaces. Researchers have access to large research labs, such as for hydraulic engineering with large-scale channels, water labs, geotechnology and design labs as well as a rail operations area.

The research fields of the department stand for innovation: E+E Energy and Environment; I+I Information and Intelligence; M+M Matter and Materials; Within the framework of the research fields, research is carried out on many projects, including at interfaces to the other fields. The department's broad range of expertise means that many exciting and current topics can be studied.

Through our international degree programmes and a comparatively high rate of female students, diversity is actively embraced and promoted in the department. Our degree programmes are the answer to the topic of sustainability. Our students work on current issues and address future challenges in order to offer solutions in the broad field of the built world.