Precision engineering is primarily a branch of mechanical engineering, but is also used in electrical engineering, electronics engineering, software engineering and optical engineering. It describes the design of very small or precise products, devices, machines and structures that are characterized by minimal tolerances, reproducible and yet stable over the entire period. The topic is important for applications in machine tools, optoelectronic design, medical technology, microscopy, consumer electronics, watches and numerous other areas.

An important principle of precision engineering - if not the most important - is determinism, i.e. that all processes, including future ones, are clearly defined by preconditions. Even movements in the nanometer range must be clearly and comprehensively predictable. Only in this way can products be used correctly and efficiently and meet the highest requirements. Machines and devices or software structures must absolutely obey the cause-and-effect relationships; coincidences or probabilities in behavior should be excluded as far as possible. It must always be possible to explain the causes of errors on the basis of recognizable technical principles.

Some of the most important goals of precision engineering are

• Absolutely precise movements
• Reduction of scattering
• Promotion of assembly, in particular automatic assembly
• Minimize acquisition costs
• Reduce running costs
• Extending the service life
• Enable interchangeability of components
• Optimization of quality controls
• Minimize wear and fatigue of components
• Independent functions in one application

An important course in this area is the Master of Science in Precision Engineering. The most important contents of the course are precision engineering and optical engineering. The course is aimed at successful graduates of the following Bachelor's degree courses who are working in the field of natural sciences and are seeking a career in science or research:

• Machine technology
• Automotive and vehicle technology
• System technology
• Medical technology
• Chemistry
• Photonics
• Chemical engineering
• Electrical engineering
• Energy and environmental technology
• Physics
• Materials science
• Microtechnology