The Birkenfeld environment campus is a rather familial university offering direct contact with the professors right from the first semester. Students have an opportunity to experience their studies intensively in small groups at an early stage of their studies. Active participation in industry and/or research projects permit a practical degree course, hence, parallel to the degree course, permitting initial project experience. Specialist laboratories, in particular the existing Makerspace, are open daily and can be used independently by arrangement.

In the greater region, mechanical engineering is very well networked, particularly with Belgium, France and Luxembourg, through several INTERREG projects. Cooperation arrangements are in place with project partners’ specialist laboratories, which can be used for exchange programmes.

The laboratories (machine tools, robotics, additive manufacturing) and computer rooms are state-of-the-art, offering students the opportunity to work with the very latest equipment in project work or lectures. Extending through 3D scanning, simulation with optimisation and through to the SF production simulation, the digital process chain is mapped to the production processes. Computer rooms in particular are regularly refurbished in an effort to meet the requirements of the latest software. Numerous books and standards can are available in digital form through the library.

Mechanical Engineering is involved in several cross-border research clusters, in some cases in a leading capacity. Hence, the laboratories involved are state-of-the-art, particularly in the field of digital product development, robotics, 3D scanning and additive manufacturing with plastic or metal printing processes, as well as machine tools. Projects with AI support identify interdisciplinary research activities, which can also be seen in the existing Makerspace available for use by students. The Department has a very broad network of companies, regional companies in particular.

The Entrepreneurs’ Park on the Birkenfeld environment campus offers premises for start-ups. The start-up office offers support from the stage of brainstorming and conceptual design through to the completed business plan. Prototypes of technical product developments can be implemented in the Makerspace and optimised via connection to the specialist laboratories.

The Environmental Campus is distinguished by its location at the edge of Hunsrück-Hochwald National Park. With more than 500 dormitory places located in close proximity to the lecture halls and laboratories, and with numerous opportunities to engage in sports including a new multifunctional facility, the distances are short. The course is organized in numerous lectures in small groups, offering a familial atmosphere and close proximity to staff and professors. Along with technically sound training, students can obtain qualifications in environmental topics such as plastic recycling or remanufacturing.