Working on the microscope

Biology

Working on the microscope
Image: ZEISS, Jürgen Scheere
This page has been machine translated.
Key facts
Degree
First State Exam High School
Admission restriction
with Numerus Clausus (NC)
Duration
10 Semesters
Credits/ECTS
300
Teaching language
German
Tuition fee
None
Semester contribution
€ 305,05
Start of studies
Winter semester
Part-time possible
No
Institutions
Faculty of Biological Sciences
Institutes of the Faculty of Biological Sciences
Application & Deadlines

Programme content

Biology is formally divided into botany, zoology, physiology and microbiology as well as overarching disciplines such as genetics, ecology and molecular biology. The aim of the teacher training programme is to enable you to teach biology in a modern, experimentally based way. Initially, all of the above-mentioned subject areas|to register for|to take sth.|to enrol for sth. in advanced studies|graduate studies, you can then specialise. Biology didactics provides an insight into the what, how and why of teaching and learning. Here, discipline-specific content is analysed for the classroom and concrete suggestions are made as to how it can be integrated into lessons. You will learn how to correctly categorise and evaluate current topics with a biological background, for example creationism, sustainability and resource management, animal and plant protection, as well as the ethical treatment of plants and animals. Please note the general information on the teacher training programme (course structure, requirements, prospects, preparatory work placement, school placement semester).

Structure

You complete the teacher training programme at the University of Jena with the First State Examination. The standard period of study|regular programme length is ten semesters in total, during which various types of courses (e.g. seminars, lectures or tutorials) are offered for the individual modules. The teacher training programme is based on the Jena model, which is characterised by a five-monthExternal link school placement semesterExternal link in the fifth or sixth semester.

As a future teacher, you will study two subjects on an equal footing at the University of Jena and round off your pedagogical profile with an accompanying Educational Science programme. A total of 300 credit points (ECTS)|ECTS credits (1 ECTS = 30 hours of attendance, preparation and follow-up work|follow-up activity, study and assessed coursework and examinations) must be earned.

Further information on the structure of the teacher training course in Jena can be obtained from the Centre for Teacher Training and Educational Research.

Why study in Jena?

  • The Faculty of Biological Sciences offers all those who decide to study Biology as a teacher a challenging, innovative, practice-orientated degree programme that is also steeped in tradition. Many courses take place together with students on the Bachelor of Biology programme, which is a requirement for modern teaching with the necessary depth and innovation.
  • The knowledge acquired is deepened in internships and worked through in a problem- and action-orientated way. If your second teaching subject is not Chemistry or Mathematics, you must also prove|to register for|to take sth.|to enrol for Chemistry and Mathematics in the first four semesters.

What can you do after your studies?

Possible occupational fields:

  • General education: The typical route into school practice is via the preparatory service (traineeship). In this phase, you will further develop your practical teaching skills on the basis of your degree.

  • Adult education: Outside of the school system, there are opportunities for you to work as a teacher in the subject) area|field of adult education.

The teaching degree completed in Thuringia is recognised|to credit in all other federal states upon formal request to the respective Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs. You can apply to the Ministries of Education and Cultural Affairs of other federal states both for the preparatory service (Referendariat) and for employment in the teaching profession (after completing the second state examination). You can obtain more detailed information on this from the respective Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs.

Downloads and links for the degree programme

What are we looking for in prospective students?

You should have attended a biology course as part of your secondary school education|schooling and have a great interest in nature, scientific work and interacting with people. The clear structure of the Biology teaching degree programme encourages students with a keen interest in the relationships between the structure and function of organisms as well as between different subject areas in Biology. Precise observation skills and manual dexterity for dissections and experiments are an advantage.

Admission requirements

  • University entrance qualification

    A university entrance qualification, such as a general secondary school leaving certificate, is required for admission onto the study programme.

    More information on university entrance qualifications can be found here.

  • Initial internship

    In Jena, the teacher training course includes an introductory internship de lasting 240 hours. You should reflect on your educational experience in dealing with children and young people in order to review your career aspirations and make a conscious decision. It makes sense to complete the introductory internship before starting your studies, but it can also be completed before registering for the internship semester (before the start of the third semester). You can also have work you have already done with children and young people recognized.

Academic Advisory Service for Biology Education - Prof. Dr. Uwe Hoßfeld

Am Steiger 3 (Bienenhaus)
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Academic Office for Student Affairs and Examinations (ASPA)

Bachstraße 18k
07743 Jena

Telephone hours:
Mondays and Fridays (9:00 – 11:00)
Wednesdays (13:00 – 15:00)

The ASPA is primarily responsible for students in the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, and the Faculty of Theology.

Postal address:
Akademisches Studien- und Prüfungsamt
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena

Examinations Office of the Faculty of Biological Sciences

Bachstraße 18 k
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Postal address:
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
Fakultät für Biowissenschaften
Studien- und Prüfungsamt
Bachstraße 18k
07743 Jena

Centre for Teacher Training and Educational Research

Room E010
Semmelweisstr. 12
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Postal address:
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
Zentrum für Lehrerbildung und Bildungsforschung
Semmelweisstr. 12
07743 Jena

Central Student Advisory Service

University Main Building / SSZ
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Office hours:
We offer consultations in person, by telephone, and via Zoom. You can make an appointment by calling us on +49 3641 9-411111 (Mondays to Fridays from 9:00 to 11:00) or outside these office hours on +49 3641 9-411200. You can also use our remote help desk.

Consultation hours:
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays (9:00 to 12:20), Tuesdays (14:00 to 18:00), and Wednesdays and Thursdays (14:00 to 16:00).

Video chat: To the video chat – Zoom Videochat ZeitenMondays to Fridays (12:30 to 13:00) Password ZSB2020 Data protection informationpdf, 101 kb

Student Service Centre

University Main Building, Room E065
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Opening hours:
ATTENTION:
In the period 11.08.-12.09.2025, the information desk is open for very urgent personal matters on Monday 10 am - 12 noon and Thursday 1 pm - 3 pm.
The information desk will be closed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday!
Please use the ServiceDesk for your concerns. Thank you very much.

Information Desk (UHG; Room E0.65) - outside the above-mentioned period:

Mondays (10:00 – 12:00)
Tuesdays (13:00 – 15:00)
Wednesdays (10:00 – 12:00)
Thursdays (13:00 – 15:00)
Fridays (10:00 – 12:00)

You can also use our remote help desk at
www.uni-jena.de/service-ssz
or send us your enquiries by post.

Telephone hours:
Mondays to Fridays
(9:00 – 11:00)

Postal address:
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
Studierenden-Service-Zentrum
07737 Jena

International Office - International students

University Main Building
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link