Famous scientists have long played an important role in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology.

Heinrich Hertz was able to prove the existence of electromagnetic waves while working in Karlsruhe in 1887; Otto Lehmann discovered liquid crystals in 1888; and in 1897 Ferdinand Braun developed the cathode ray tubes that bear his name. The electrical engineering department at Karlsruhe has its roots in physics; an independent Department of Electrical Engineering was established in 1895.

Its 14 institutes and approximately 1.700 students put the Department at the heart of engineering at the Universität Karlsruhe. By focusing on electronic components, circuits, and on automation, energy, information and communication technologies, the Department puts students in touch with all of the cutting-edge areas of electrical engineering and information technology.