In the first research rankings conducted for the field of computer science, the TU Darmstadt claimed a clear spot among the leaders. In all four parameters (external funding in absolute and relative terms and completed Ph.D.s in absolute and relative terms) the computer scientists at Darmstadt were among the highest scorers, placing them among the six strongest universities in the ranking's view.

Research performance in the areas of mathematics, natural sciences, medicine and dental medicine were also ranked anew in 2009. The Mathematics department at the TU Darmstadt, ranked in 2006 among the absolute top scorers, maintained its excellent marks in the sub-disciplines of “Completed Ph.D.s in absolute terms”, “Completed Ph.D.s in relative terms” as well as “Publications in absolute terms”. The TU missed its chance to stay in the lead group by a hair. The CHE identified a high amount of fluctuation among the most active researchers in Mathematics and justified its decision as due to “a changing of the database established for the bibliometrics.”

In the natural sciences, the Darmstadt departments of Biology, Chemistry and Physics repeated their solid performances from the 2006 research rankings. One area that stood out for its outstanding marks: publications per scientist by the Darmstadt Chemistry department. The TU Darmstadt does not offer medicine or dental science. Complete study results

Just as it had done in the prior reporting period, the TU Darmstadt once again improved its position, moving from spot 13 to spot 10 in the relative analysis.

The engineering sciences – Materials Science and Mechanical Engineering (spot 2) in particular, as well as Computer Science and Electrical Engineering and IT (spot 6) – all contributed significantly to the fine results for the TU Darmstadt.

Among the natural sciences, Mathematics maintained its high ranking of 5th place from the prior reporting period, helping to sustain the TU's excellent position.

For the second time in a row, the Humboldt rankings found the Technical Universität Darmstadt to be the favourite host institution for visiting researchers in the engineering fields. The rankings by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation counted the research stays by fellows receiving support from the foundation as well as prize winners from German research institutions. Unlike 2006, no cross-disciplinary comparison of “Guest visits/100 professors” at all universities was made. Complete study results

According to the German Federal Statistics Office, the TU Darmstadt ranks 8th in external funding for German universities and 7th for external funding per professor. More Information