History
2005 During the 2004/05 winter term, the “Diplom” course offered by Freiburg University's Department of Computer Science is completely replaced by a Bachelor’s degree course. This is a response to the so-called “Bologna Process”, the aim of which is to introduce a three-cycle system (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate) of education to Europe, which makes qualifications comparable internationally. Accordingly, the new Bachelor's degree course is complemented by the introduction of two Master’s degree courses in Computer Science and Applied Computer Science.
2004 After an 18-month construction period, the faculty’s new research center is inaugurated. The highly flexible, clear structure of this center is intended to provide the capacity for projects with an above-average level of external funding.
2003 For the first time, students enrolled on the teacher training course can choose to major in Computer Science at the Department of Computer Science.
A cylindrical perforated metal sculpture created by Olaf Metzel is unveiled within the faculty. It is the second piece of “art within architecture” realized on campus by the state of Baden-Württemberg. The first large installation, a piece called “Jump and Twist” by Dennis Oppenheim, was unveiled for the opening of Building 101.
2002 The Department of Computer Science grows at an accelerated rate, as does the entire faculty. In the winter term of 1996/97, we reach our annual target of enrolling 100 freshman students on the Computer Science “Diplom” course. In 2002 we enroll just under 200 freshman students (Source: Die Zeit). In total, around 850 students are now enrolled in the Faculty of Applied Sciences. The federal state government takes heed of the university's growing need for space, instructing the university’s planning department to start work on another research building. Responding to a federal state government action program, the Department of Computer Science creates a new Bachelor’s degree course in Computer Science.
2001 The Department of Computer Science launches a DAAD-supported Master’s degree course in Applied Computer Science, targeted at foreign students.
2000 Erwin Teufel, Minister President of the federal state of Baden-Württemberg, hands over several renovated old buildings to the Computer Science department. The Department of Microsystems Technology is able to move into a brand new building, and Building 101 is handed over to the University of Freiburg.
1996 Work commences on the new building for the Department of Microsystems Technology, and the new campus at the airfield begins to take shape. At the same time, the striking Building 101 is built, with its library, multimedia lecture halls, tutorial rooms and the Dean’s office.
1995 After the first professors are appointed and all the senior posts filled, the faculty starts work. The first meeting of the Faculty Council elects Professor Wolfgang Menz, acting principal of the Department of Microsystems Technology (IMTEK), as Dean, and Professor Thomas Ottmann, Professor of Algorithms and Data Structures in the Department of Computer Science, as Vice-Dean. Around this same time, the Department of Computer Science moves into the renovated teaching and seminar rooms on Georges-Köhler-Allee.
1994 A cabinet decision by the federal state government signals the start of the construction of the new faculty. In response, the University Senate amends the constitution of the University of Freiburg to include the “15th Faculty of Applied Sciences” (11th Faculty today). After negotiations with the City Council of Freiburg, it is decided that a former barracks at the airfield approximately two kilometers north-east of the city center will serve as the faculty's base. The French military only stopped using the barracks in the late 1980's. In the winter term, 1994, the first students are already enrolled on the Computer Science “Diplom” course.
1992 In July, the Science Council approves the creation of a Faculty of Applied Sciences with courses in Computer Science and Microsystems Technology at the University of Freiburg.
1991 The Federal Ministry for Science and Research confirms with the federal government that the latter will meet 50% of the costs involved in realizing the new faculty in Freiburg.
1989 Lothar Späth, Minister President of the federal state of Baden-Württemberg, declares the federal state government’s willingness in principle to support the proposed new faculty. At the end of the year, the relevant council of ministers appoints a commission to come up with recommendations for the future profile of the courses and departments. Altogether, the two departments are designed to provide facilities for around 1000 students.
1988 Max Syrbe, President of the Fraunhofer Society, recommends the creation of a technical faculty at the University of Freiburg to the federal state government of Baden-Württemberg. The aim of the initiative, which is supported by the Southern Upper Rhine Chamber of Commerce (IHK Südlicher Oberrhein) and the Industry Association of Baden (WVIB), is to “strengthen the technological and scientific infrastructure of the South Baden economy”. In view of the prediction that the end of the 80's would bring a shortage of engineers, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering courses are proposed as priority areas of study.
Professor Christoph Rüchardt, Rector of the University of Freiburg, submits a revised plan for the initiative to the federal state government: the main areas of the future faculty will now be computer science, microsystems technology, and materials sciences. Rüchardt thus stresses the growing importance of computer science as a key discipline for all the other disciplines.