The Institute of Natural Sciences and Technology in the Arts guarantees a profound theoretical and practice-oriented education in the subjects of colour science, theory of perception, materials science and colour chemistry with an increasing emphasis on contemporary materials and technologies. In addition to the lecturing of natural scientific and materials science backgrounds, studies and research projects are carried out in the context of diploma and doctoral theses which deal with scientific investigations of single art objects as well as whole art ensembles.
Within these research projects the documentation and investigation of original objects are mainly performed by the application of methods using electromagnetic radiations (e.g. infrared, visible, UV and X-ray radiation) and non-destructive material analysis. Likewise, research projects explore the long-term behaviour of materials (e.g. their light-stability, corrosion and weathering resistance, as well as the compatibility of various materials used in modern and contemporary art) and are also dealing with preservation of historical monuments. In accordance with international trends, these requirements have entailed a number of new tasks in recent years summed up as "Science for Art", "Science in Conservation & Preservation" or "Science for Cultural Heritage".