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Biology (B.Sc.)

Features

From molecule to organism to complex ecosystem:

Studying biology in Göttingen offers insights into the many facets of this subject. You will learn to identify plants, animals and microorganisms, deal with molecular and genetic issues and get to know the chemical building blocks and their biochemical interaction. Already in the first semester you will start with small experiments and finish the study with your own research project. The bachelor's degree qualifies students for national and international master's degree programs with an ecological, biochemical, molecular biological or neurobiological orientation.

Name:
Biologie
Degree:
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
Teaching language:
German
Standard period of study:
6 semesters
Start of studies:
Winter semester
Admission:
restricted admission (application to the University)
Pre-course:
A pre-course is offered
Orientation events:
Orientation events are offered

Details

From the physical and chemical processes in the individual cell to complex ecosystems: Biology is the science of living things. It studies its diversity, development, functioning, and the relationship between individual organisms and their environment. The fields of research within biology are thus very diverse.

The German-language course of study is structured in modules. In the first year, an overview of the many biological sub-disciplines is given, as well as the scientific basics in chemistry, mathematics and statistics.

Beginning in the third semester, students become more familiar with six self-selected biological subject areas from a wide range of choices, and these are supplemented with two additional non-biological natural science subjects. This provides a broad range of biological science fundamentals, but allows students to incorporate their own preferences.

In one of these biological subjects an in-depth study is planned in the fifth or sixth semester, in which finally the first small research paper is written with the bachelor thesis.

The bachelor's degree program in Göttingen is characterized by a broad range of biological subject areas and allows students to pursue their individual preferences through many elective options. In addition to the study of "General Biology", the following designated specializations are also possible:

  • Molecular Biosciences
  • Neuro- and behavioral sciences
  • Bioinformatics
  • Organismic Biology

By integrating the compulsory module Scientific English, the program optimally prepares students for a further scientific career and facilitates entry into international Master's programs.

In addition to the university, many scientific centers and research institutions are located in Göttingen and are closely linked to the faculty. Examples are the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, the Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine and the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, as well as the German Primate Center. This offers additional teaching opportunities and a variety of possibilities to conduct optional internships or final theses outside the university.

The main prerequisite is an interest in biology, scientific issues and the enjoyment of practical experiments. In addition, however, general scientific fundamentals, especially in chemistry as well as mathematics and statistics are required. An understanding of biological processes and interrelationships, whether at the macro-, micro- or even molecular-biological level, is hardly possible without a solid knowledge of the other natural sciences. To facilitate the entry into the bachelor's program, preliminary courses in chemistry and mathematics are offered. There, the school material is repeated and there is a first opportunity to get to know future fellow students.

In addition, a good knowledge of English is advantageous at the beginning of the study program, because for the compulsory module Scientific English I an intermediate level II (B2) knowledge of English is required. If these are not yet (completely) available, the missing knowledge can also be made up during the studies.

The curse and blessing of biology is the multitude of possible fields of work, which depend not least on the chosen specialist focus. Many biologists not only work in "classic" research positions at universities and in industry, but also in many other areas for which biological knowledge is necessary. The Association of Biology mentions here, for example, production, quality control, marketing and sales, patenting, management and in-house environmental protection as well as consulting, public relations and information management. Our website offers a collection of links to possible occupational fields under "Occupational profiles in biology".

Even though the three-year "Bachelor" is formally the first academic degree qualifying for a profession, a subsequent two-year Master's degree is often indispensable in the biological sciences. In this context, the bachelor's degree in biology as an undergraduate program is more about a broad education than about early specialization - this usually takes place only through the choice of a specialized master's program. Furthermore, for a path into science, the doctorate is the third step of academic education.

Related and consecutive/graduate programmes


Programme structure

After the compulsory modules of the first two semesters, semesters 3 to 5 are very individual depending on the choice of modules, therefore the overview is presented here in a simplified way.

Regulations and module directory


Admission

Start:
Winter and summer semester
1st subject semester:
restricted admission (application to the University)
2nd to 6th subject semester:
open admission (enrolment without previous application)

EU
Citizen from an EU country (including Germany and EEA) or holding a German university entrance qualification

Non-German citizens without a German educational qualification

Non-EU
Citizen from a non-EU country (or stateless person)


Impressions

"By studying biology, my curiosity is finally satisfied."

Clemens studied biology in the bachelor's program from the winter semester 2018 to the summer semester 2021. After graduation, he stayed in Göttingen and is now studying the master's program Developmental, Neural and Behavioral Biology (DNB).

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"Organismics and Ecology blew me away."

Lara studied biology in the Bachelor's program from the winter semester 2018 to the summer semester 2022. She has been studying for a master's degree in Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution (BEE) in Göttingen since October 2022.

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"After studying biology, I can make a difference in areas that are important to me."

Kathi studied the bachelor's program in biology from October 2018 to September 2021. After that, she stayed in Göttingen and is studying the Master's program Molecular Life Sciences: Microbiology, Biotechnology and Biochemistry (MLS) since winter semester 2021.

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"The degree program is really super variable."

Vera started her biology bachelor's degree in October 2018 and graduated in the summer semester of 2022. After that, she stayes in Göttingen and is studying the new master's program Computational Biology and Bioinformatics (CoBi) since winter semester 2022.

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Contact

Academic Advising

Dr. Anna Lena Flux

Wilhelm-Weber-Str. 2
DE-37073 Göttingen

studienberatung@biologie.uni-goettingen.de

Office hours

Programme homepage