Biology
How are DNA and RNA structured? How does a COVID vaccine work? And how can we preserve biodiversity? If you are interested in these questions, this is the programme for you!
Female students take plant samples
Programme content
Life is all about diversity! A balanced environment thrives on numerous different ecosystems, genetic diversity and a wealth of plants, animals, fungi and micro-organisms. This is the only way that habitats and species can provide us with the food and drinking water we need or even raw materials for our clothes and medicines. For example, insects are the unsung heroes in the fight against multidrug-resistant organisms, as some produce an antibiotic that works against bacteria. Students enrolled on our bachelor’s programme in ‘Biology’ deal with a range of questions, such as how ecosystems work and how biological processes take place at cellular and molecular level.
You will cover a wide range of content during your studies. Current topics in biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, genetics, zoology, botany, and ecology are also included in the degree programme. And not just in theory, but also in practice! Laboratory practicals and field work assignments are an integral part of the syllabus to reinforce the content covered in the lectures.
Jena has a rich biological history. This is where various scientific discoveries were made by the famous zoologist Ernst Haeckel, the botanist Matthias Jakob Schleiden, and the geneticist and botanist Otto Renner. To this day, our city offers an excellent research landscape for students and teachers in the field of biology.
Structure
A bachelor’s degree is the first professional qualification that can be obtained at a university. The standard length of the programme is six semesters, and different types of courses are offered for each module (e.g. seminars, lectures, or practical classes).
If you opt for a single-subject bachelor’s programme in ‘Biology’, your education will be focused on one subject comprising 180 ECTS credits (1 ECTS credit = 30 hours of attendance, preparation and follow-up work, private study, assessed coursework and examinations).
In the first and second years of study (1st to 4th semester), you will have to take compulsory modules covering the fundamentals of science and biology. In the third year of study (5th and 6th semester), you will be able to choose most of your modules according to your interests and career aspirations.
How might your degree programme shape up?
| 1st semester | 2nd semester | 3rd semester | 4th semester | 5th semester | 6th semester |
|
Compulsory modules (60 ECTS in total) |
Compulsory modules (60 ECTS in total) |
Compulsory modules (4 ECTS in total) |
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| Mathematics (3 ECTS) |
Biochemistry (9 ECTS) |
Biophysics & Bioinformatics |
Statistics (4 ECTS) |
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| Chemistry (9 ECTS) |
Microbiology (18 LP) |
Required elective modules (35 ECTS in total) |
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| Physics (4 ECTS) |
Cell Biology (5 ECTS) |
Ecology & Biodiversity (12 ECTS) |
There are modules with 5 ECTS and 10 ECTS. These are to be chosen so that you reach in total 35 ECTS. |
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| Zoology 1 (15 ECTS) |
Zoology 2 (6 ECTS) |
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| Botany 1 (10 ECTS) |
Botany 2 (10 ECTS) |
Dissertation modules (21 ECTS in total) |
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| Genetics (9 ECTS) |
Project module (11 ECTS) |
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| Evolutionary Biology (5 ECTS) |
Bachelor’s dissertation |
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Abbreviations: ECTS = European Credit Transfer System
You can find more detailed information in the module catalogue for the degree programmeExternal link.
Why study in Jena?
- Excellent research: The research conducted at the Faculty of Biological Sciences is focused around three main areas in which the University of Jena has made significant contributions over the years: microbial communication; biodiversity and evolution, and the regulation of age-associated processes.
- Lots of practical content: There is a special emphasis on laboratory practicals and field work assignments – mostly in small groups. You will also have numerous opportunities to gain practical experience in applied research.
- Great variety: Your education will be enriched by various university institutions and projects such as the Botanical Garden de, Herbarium Haussknecht de, the Phyletic MuseumExternal link, the Ernst-Haeckel-HausExternal link and the Jena ExperimenExternal link.
- Close cooperation: You can benefit from our ties to internationally renowned research institutions such as the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Hans Knöll InstituteExternal link), the Leibniz Institute on Aging (Fritz Lipmann InstituteExternal link), the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry)External link, the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology)External link, the Max Planck Institute of GeoanthropologyExternal link and the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research Halle-Jena-LeipzigExternal link.
- A world of possibilities: Experience our international flair! Our University appeals to students and researchers from all over the world and helps to shape Jena’s character as a cosmopolitan city that is fit for the future – it’s the perfect place for international studentsmp4, 57 mb · de.
- Adventures abroad: You can easily realize your dream of spending a semester abroad. We have a global network of partner universities.
A look behind the scenes
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Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena) Going green in the heart of the city deCome and discover our Botanical Garden on a walk or during your everyday student life! Around 10,000 plant species from all vegetation zones on earth are cultivated across 4.5 hectares of land comprising vast open spaces and greenhouses.
What can you do after your studies?
Career opportunities:
Woman at microscope
Image: Daniel Hofmann- Biological, pharmaceutical, chemical, and biotechnological industries
- Research and teaching at institutions of higher education
- Non-university research institutions
- National and regional institutions conducting research in the fields of agriculture, forestry, fisheries science, horticulture, water and soil management
- Administration / authorities: environmental protection and nature conservation organizations, facilities dedicated to human and veterinary medicine, museums, botanical and zoological gardens
- Environmental protection / consulting
- Nature and landscape planning (mapping, reporting, ecological assessments)
Furthermore, the following natural science master's degree programmes are offered:
Biochemistry M.Sc.
Biogeosciences M.Sc.
Chemical Biology M.Sc.
Geography - Climate and Environmental Change M.Sc.
Molecular Medicine M.Sc.
Business Administration for Engineers and Natural Scientists M.Sc.
What are we looking for in prospective students?
- An interest in scientific topics
- Logic skills
- Good knowledge of school-level biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics
- Basic computer skills
- Independent learning and organizational skills
Admission requirements
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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.
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Language requirements
The study programme is taught in German. You must therefore have a very good command of German at the start of the study programme.
Contacts
Dr Markus Bernhardt-Römermann (Programme Manager and Academic Advisor)
Dornburger Straße 159
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
Sandra Döhler (Academic Advisor)
Bachstr. 18
07743 Jena
Opening hours:
Thursdays (13:00-15:00) and by appointment
Office for Student Affairs and Examinations, Faculty of Biological Sciences
Bachstraße 18 k (1.OG)
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
Opening hours:
see homepage
Student Representatives for Biology / Biochemistry
Neugasse 24
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
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:
Information Desk (UHG; Room E0.65)
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