The Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences and Humanities, FANG in short, is characterised by one unique feature: It is the only THWS faculty that not only supervises about 200 students in its own five degree programmes but it also works as service provider for other faculties.
Published on 2 August 2023
Be it Specialized Translation or Trade Journalism and Corporate Communication, Applied Mathematics or Business Information Systems: The Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences and Humanities (FANG) covers a wide spectrum with its degree programmes. But not only does the faculty offer its own degree programmes, but it also acts as contact point and service provider for other faculties regarding teaching, learning, and research.
This might seem a little unusual for a faculty at first glance. The reason lies in the historical genesis of the Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences and Humanities. "The mix of natural sciences and humanities is in our DNA. It's like the faculty was to the manner born", explains Professor Dr. Jochen Seufert, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences and Humanities. It is the only THWS faculty present at both locations in Würzburg and Schweinfurt. With natural sciences and humanities, FANG unites two entirely different areas in one faculty.
Two locations from the beginning
Already at the foundation of the higher education institution in 1971, FANG was represented at the locations in Würzburg and Schweinfurt. That FANG is based at two locations is due to the faculty offering technical degree programmes in Würzburg as well as in Schweinfurt. "These technical degree programmes required an input in the form of mathematical and natural scientific fundamental modules, which we already offered 50 years ago", Professor Dr. Seufert explains.
The year 1973 marked a historical milestone for the Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences and Humanities. Within the framework of the Bavarian Higher Education Act, the legislator decreed that all Bavarian universities of applied sciences must found a general scientific faculty, which was supposed to ensure the quality of language teaching and of mathematical and natural scientific fundamental modules. That's how FANG came to be in charge of all of THWS's language courses, education in mathematical and natural scientific fundamental modules, and the organisation of general elective modules (AWPF) throughout THWS.
Collaboration with other faculties
Professor Dr. Seufert, Dean of FANG, sees only advantages in collaborating with the other faculties: "Not only are we service providers, but we also offer our own degree programmes. We thus also know the challenges the other faculties may face when it comes to offering degree programmes. That is why we can tackle these problems cooperatively." The service export is usually not subject to any directives. Therefore, FANG is free to implement its own teaching and study concepts, and the contents it deems relevant for each degree programme. "This interlocking with the other faculties makes my job so attractive. Networking is always good. I really enjoy working with the other faculties", Seufert reports.
To ensure optimal organisation within the faculty, the dean, vice dean, and dean of studies have been distributed to both THWS locations for years. Dean and vice dean are responsible for resource allocation for the department in Schweinfurt and Würzburg. They are supported by one team of the respective dean's office. All FANG degree programmes are managed by degree programme directors and an examination committee of at least three people. Every location has one AWPF-officer , and numerous functional officers. "The tasks are spread on many shoulders, which surely contributes significantly to a successful organisation", explains Professor Dr. Martin Storath, FANG Dean of Studies.
However, organisation was not always easy. In addition to location-specific characteristics, the thematically completely different degree programmes of the faculties proved challenging with their deviating requirements. While Schweinfurt is mostly home to the technical disciplines, Würzburg hosts the language-based programmes. "Two thematically entirely different worlds collide. This sometimes requires a mental balancing act. Nevertheless, the collaboration and the team spirit in the faculty are excellent", Professor Dr. Jochen Seufert says.
The whole range of academic disciplines
With the general elective modules, FANG covers a wide range of entirely different academic disciplines. They offer students the opportunity to look outside the box of their own degree programme and broaden their own competences. The offer includes German and English courses in fields relevant to society, and includes not only cultural studies, history, politics, and law , but also natural sciences, technology, and creativity, arts, and literature. In addition to the major languages English, Spanish, Italian, French, Russian, and Chinese, students can also take courses in Japanese or Dutch.
"Through the electives, the lecturers add numerous different topic areas. This diversity is unique to us", Professor Dr. Storath emphasises. Students can also participate in various FANG certificate courses and thus gain additional qualifications. This, for example, includes the UNIcert certificate, which proves foreign language competences specific to higher education institutions, or certificates of knowledge of environmental protection.
Mathematical and natural scientific expertise
FANG covers the entire STEM-field. Hence FANG can prove extensive competence in mathematics and natural scientific fundamental modules. "While the disciplines of computer science, natural sciences and technology are only offered in technical degree programmes, mathematics is required by almost all degree programmes because, for example, an economist needs their fair share of mathematics," the dean explains. The mathematics modules are conceptualised beyond individual degree programmes while at the same time being programme specific. Professor Dr. Storath predominantly teaches service lectures in mathematics and machine learning for the other technical THWS faculties. What strikes him positively: "I experience the collaboration with colleagues of other faculties as productive and uncomplicated."
Sometimes, FANG is already consulted in the design and conceptualisation phase of a new degree programme. Together with the other faculties, FANG's persons in charge then decide how the mathematical and natural scientific fundamental courses can be optimally linked with advanced courses taught in higher semesters. Together with other faculties, FANG also supervises interactive research projects, in which the mathematical and natural scientific competences of the faculty are required.
For the future, the dean is hoping to expand research further and with it the thematic diversity. Because this was the main characteristic of FANG: "To me, exactly this diversity of topics and THWS-wide work with highly heterogenous groups make the faculty so special. It's simply great to be a small cog in this large wheel of thematic diversity."
Overview of the six degree programmes of the Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences and Humanities
Würzburg
- Bachelor's Specialized Translation
- Master's Specialized Translation with Media Translation
- Master's Trade Journalism and Corporate Communication
Schweinfurt
- Bachelor's Applied Mathematics (until summer semester 2023 bachelor's Industrial Mathematics)
- Master's Applied Mathematics and Physics
- Master's Sustainable Energy Systems (offered in cooperation with the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and the Faculty of Business and Engineering; start: winter semester 2023/24)
