FHNW School of Engineering and Environment

Study – Advance Your Education – Conduct Research. At the Interface of People, Technology, and the Environment.

We offer a broad, practice-oriented range of education and continuing education programmes in engineering and optometry. In applied research, we support companies and institutions in their innovation projects. The focus of our strategic development lies on environmental topics such as energy, materials, and circular systems.

Our programs

Degree programmes

We educate Bachelor’s and Master’s students in engineering and optometry at our campuses in Brugg-Windisch, Muttenz, and Olten. Whether studying full-time or alongside a profession, practical experience is a central element of our programmes.

Explore our degree programmes

Continuing education

Our continuing education programmes are continuously updated to reflect the latest developments in science, helping you advance both professionally and personally.

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Application-Oriented Research

In application-oriented research and development, we support companies and institutions in their innovation projects. Through our twelve institutes, we generate knowledge and practical solutions.

Our research areas Explore research projects

News

The Future of Contact Lenses – When Vision Aids Become Smart Sensors

An evening with Prof. Lyndon Jones revealed how contact lenses may soon detect dis-eases, deliver medication, and even project valuable information into the eye.

Date: 12.1.2026
Institute: Institute of Optometry

AI Microscope for Microplastics and Counterfeit Detection: High-Tech Made in Switzerland

The University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland FHNW has developed a novel microscope that uses artificial intelligence not only to detect microscopic plastic particles but also to automatically count them. Originally designed for environmental research, this innovative system is now opening up new and exciting possibilities in fields like forensics and industrial quality control – such as the detection of counterfeit coins or watches.

Date: 25.6.2025
Institute: Institute of Bioenergy and Resource Efficiency

Mitigating of Macro- and Micro-Plastics in Agriculture Soils using Hyperspectral Imaging (MIRACLE)

The Institute of Biomass and Resource Efficiency FHNW recently successfully launched the SNF Practice-to-Science project Miracle. The results of the research will enable decision-makers from cantons, federal agencies, industry, environmental organizations and farmers to make long-term predictions about the impact of plastics in the environment using simple and effective means.

Date: 5.6.2025
Institute: Institute of Bioenergy and Resource Efficiency