department
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academic department
An organizational unit at a university or college that is responsible for a particular field of knowledge or study. It corresponds to a faculty or department.
Sie studiert am Fachbereich für Sozialwissenschaften.
She studies in the Department of Social Sciences.
specialized department
A specialized department within a larger organization, authority, or administration that is responsible for a specific area of work.
Die Anfrage wurde an den zuständigen Fachbereich im Ministerium weitergeleitet.
The inquiry was forwarded to the responsible specialized department in the ministry.
The word is made up of 'Fach' (specialist field) and 'Bereich' (area, sector). So it literally describes an area responsible for a particular subject or field.
Der Fachbereich Informatik hat einen neuen Professor berufen.
The Department of Computer Science has appointed a new professor.
To distinguish the meanings, pay attention to the context. Words like 'Universität' (university), 'Hochschule' (college/university), or 'studieren' (to study) point to a department at an educational institution. Terms like 'Behörde' (public authority), 'Firma' (company), or 'Ministerium' (ministry) indicate a department within an organization.
Er leitet den Fachbereich für Germanistik an der Universität Bonn.
He heads the Department of German Studies at the University of Bonn.
In a university context, 'Fachbereich' (department) is often combined with the preposition 'für' (for) and the relevant field of study, for example 'Fachbereich für Medizin' (Department of Medicine), 'Fachbereich für Rechtswissenschaften' (Department of Law), or 'Fachbereich für Kunst' (Department of Art).
Die meisten Studierenden sind im Fachbereich für Wirtschaftswissenschaften eingeschrieben.
Most students are enrolled in the Department of Economics.
institute
Institut and Fachbereich can both refer to units for a specific subject at a university or college. An Institut is primarily an institution for research and teaching; a Fachbereich is an organizational unit responsible for a particular field of knowledge or study. The exact name and level depend on the university or college.
Der Fachbereich Chemie plant das Studienangebot für das nächste Semester.
The Chemistry Department is planning the course offerings for next semester.
Das Institut für Chemie führt ein neues Forschungsprojekt durch.
The Institute of Chemistry is carrying out a new research project.
