A method for model-based control and regulation of an internal combustion engine. An emission class for operating the engine is read from a first library by an optimizer; a maximum mechanical component load is read from a second library by the optimizer using the engine type; and the emission class and the component load are set as mandatory for a combustion model and a gas path model. Injection system target values for actuating injection system actuators are calculated using the combustion model based on a target torque. Gas path target values for actuating gas path actuators are calculated using the gas path model based on the target torque. A quality measurement is calculated by the optimizer based on the injection system and gas path target values. The quality measurement is minimized by the optimizer by changing the injection system and gas path target values within a prediction horizon. The injection system and gas path target values are set as decisive for adjusting the operating point of the engine by the optimizer using the minimized quality measurement.