Subject: Biology (B.Sc.)
Degree: Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
Standard period of study: 6 semesters
Start of programme: winter semester only

Admission for the summer semester 2012

• 1st subject semester: no admission (start of studies in the winter semester only)


• 2nd to 6th subject semester: limited admissions (application to the University)


• International applicants: no admission (start of studies in the winter semester only)

Course description
The Bachelor's programme Biology is a 6-semester full-time programme. It comprises of 180 ETCS credits (short: C) to be earned in the special studies (132 C), the professional training (36 C) and with the Bachelor's thesis (12 C). Within the programme, students can choose one of these three major fields of study: General Biology, Molecular Biosciences, and Neuro and Behavioral Biology.

The programme is split up into two parts: in the first part (the orientation year), the students get an overview of the different areas of biology covered in Göttingen within the frame of a lecture series, complemented by two lab classes. These orientation modules are not graded. Apart from the Biology modules, there are two non-biology compulsory modules: Mathematics/Statistics and Chemistry I. Also, English language skills are tested at the end of the first semester because a sound knowledge of English is required to study the module "Scientific English I".

After the completion of the orientation year, the scientific basics are taught in 6 biology and 2 non-biology modules. The students can freely select from a variety of modules. If the combination restrictions as defined in the programme rules and regulations are respected, the course of studies taken can be classified as belonging to one particular major field of study. Once 5 of the 8 scientific basics modules have been successfully completed, the modules "In-depth Practical" and "Scientific Project Management" and the Bachelor's thesis can be started; during a normal course of studies, this should happen in the 5th or 6th semester.

Apart from the scientific basics modules, students must also study key qualification modules. These are "Communication of Scientific Matters", "Scientific English I", as well as a module that can be freely chosen, either one of the general key qualification modules or "Scientific English II". By studying the module "Scientific English II", the student will acquire the UNICERT III certificate which is accepted as a qualification for the international Master's programmes offered by the Faculty of Biology.

The students may do an internship with a company as an alternative to the in-depth practical or as an additional voluntary activity; this internship can be used as a preparation for a Bachelor's thesis written with a company.