Organizational Structure

At the KIT, university education is accomplished by eleven departments. The KIT deans report to the Vice President for Higher Education and Academic Affairs. With about 9,300 employees, including roundabout 6,000 scientists and lecturers, and 25,000 students, KIT is a large science institution holding a leading position in Europe. KIT offers research-based study programs to prepare its students for responsible positions in society, industry, and science.

The Carl Benz School as the Mechanical Engineering College of the KIT is headed by Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Thomas Böhlke as the Dean of Studies of Mechanical Engineering International (MEI) and Dr.-Ing. Judith Elsner as the managing director. Lecturers of the Carl Benz School are professors and scientists from the Mechancial Engineering Department at the KIT.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the KIT comprises more than 20 institutes, which manage student courses and research in the various branches of engineering. The department is consistently awarded top reviews for all its activities. Nationwide, the KIT is one of the universities most strongly engaged in research. Nevertheless, amidst all the research and teaching activities of the department, the importance of practical relevance is stressed. Main aspects are energy and environmentally-friendly technologies, automotive research and technology, materials science and technology, product design and development, production technology and mechatronics, and micro systems technology. A particular specialty is theoretical mechanical engineering. This fundamental and methodological research in mechanical engineering is counterbalanced at the KIT and complemented by application-oriented research. The department benefits greatly from its international connections and its many research collaborations with the industry.