Technical University of Munich Launches School of Natural Sciences
In the course of its historic structural reform and the transition from departments to schools, the Technical University of Munich (TUM) yesterday launched the TUM School of Natural Sciences at a gala celebration. This is the birth of Germany’s first and only interdisciplinary center hosting the convergence of biosciences, chemistry and physics.
Intensive collaboration across subject boundaries, orientation to the major research topics and career fields of the future, modern governance structures: TUM is creating future-oriented entities which transcend the traditional, fragmented department structures of German universities.
The new TUM School of Natural Sciences unites biosciences, chemistry and physics. Its approximately 90 professorships, 1,200 employees and 4,500 students make it one of the most important European centers for the natural sciences. The school consolidates expertise in focus areas such as the fundamental questions of the existence of the universe and of biological life, intelligent biomimetic systems, self-organizing synthesis machines and industrial biotechnology with areas including innovative catalysts, functional material systems and viable future energy materials as well as quantum sciences and technologies.
Exploration of high-potential fields of technology
“It is becoming more and more difficult to successfully and effectively encounter major scientific challenges in terms of isolated, human-defined disciplines. Our new school therefore strengthens the dynamic interaction of scientists across the boundaries of chemistry, physics and biosciences. Here we are focusing our energies on investigating the great unknowns in today’s knowledge and on the exploration of high-potential fields of technology,” says Prof. Thomas F. Hofmann, President of TUM.
“It is very gratifying to see the prevalent spirit of a joint scientific undertaking in this newly deployed school,” says Prof. Johannes Barth, Dean of the TUM School of Natural Sciences. “We are generating knowledge that fosters a better understanding of the world and promotes the development of new technologies with true added value for society. Essential elements here are an intensive research agenda, a high degree of networking and an excellent research infrastructure such as that provided by TUM Technology Core Facilities.”
A core element of the TUM’s excellence strategy, the TUM AGENDA 2030 is transforming the university by reshaping the internal structure of narrowly defined and subject-oriented departments in the form of larger schools and integrative research institutes which follow international examples. The ultimate goal is to unleash untapped interaction potentials. The TUM School of Natural Sciences is the fifth of TUM’s schools: In 2020 the TUM School of Life Sciences was founded, followed by the inception of the TUM School of Engineering and Design, the TUM School of Social Sciences and Technology as well as the restructuring of the TUM School of Management in 2021.