Loud bangs, strange smells and bubbling concoctions? Long lab coats, thick gloves and large safety goggles? All those things might be associated with chemistry, but there is much more to it than that! Many everyday items like touchscreens, LED lighting and heat patches would be simply impossible without this field of science. It will also play a crucial role in overcoming future challenges, such as ensuring energy supplies, protecting the environment and combatting diseases.
Chemistry is the study of the structure, behaviour and transformation of materials and their laws. The three most important sub-disciplines are organic, inorganic and physical chemistry. Students at the University of Jena also take courses in technical and analytical chemistry.
The bachelor’s programme offers you broad basic training, where you will learn about the structure and synthesis of materials and the safe handling of chemicals—including practical work in the laboratory from the very first semester onwards!
Digital discovery tour with free app: Would you like to find out more about our degree in Chemistry with fun quiz questions and puzzles? Click here for our interactive discovery tour app [in German].
The bachelor's degree is the first professional qualification. The standard period of study is a total of six semesters, during which various forms of courses (e.g. seminars, lectures or practical courses) are offered for the individual modules.
If you take a single-subject bachelor’s programme in ‘Chemistry’, your field of study will comprise 180 credits (ECTS for short; 1 ECTS = 30 hours for attendance, preparation and follow-up work, private study, assessed coursework and examinations).
We also offer optional preparation courses in mathematics and chemistry before the lecture period to ease you into the programme.
| Modules | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Chemistry / Inorganic Chemistry | 15 ECTS | 13 ECTS | 3 ECTS | 9 ECTS | ||
| Organic Chemistry | 8 ECTS | 13 ECTS | 10 ECTS | 4 ECTS | ||
| Physical Chemistry | 7 ECTS | 9 ECTS | 11 ECTS | 9 ECTS | ||
| Analytical Chemistry | 5 ECTS | 6 ECTS | 2 ECTS | |||
| Technical Chemistry | 8 ECTS | 4 ECTS | ||||
| Required elective module* | 5 ECTS | 5 ECTS | ||||
| Physics | 8 ECTS | |||||
| Mathematical Methods for Chemists |
7 ECTS | |||||
| Toxicology | 2 ECTS | |||||
| Project Module | 5 ECTS | |||||
| Bachelor’s Thesis | 12 ECTS | |||||
Short form: ECTS = credit points (European Credit Transfer System)
* The following elective modules are offered: Bioinorganic Chemistry, Bioorganic Chemistry, Chemistry of Glasses / Chemistry of Materials, Macromolecular Chemistry, Specific Analytical Chemistry, Theoretical Chemistry / Quantum Chemistry I + II, Environmental Chemistry I + II.
More detailed information can be found in the module catalogue for the study programme [in German]External link.
Prof. Dr. Jürgen Popp
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)Jena offers students a unique environment with diverse specialization opportunities. Our institutes have established close networks with non-university research institutions—unlike at any other university in Germany—which means our programmes also deal with the latest findings.
Prof. Dr Jürgen Popp, Professor of Physical Chemistry
Practical lessons in the laboratory will be a permanent fixture right from the start of your course. You will learn how to handle chemicals and laboratory equipment, and you will also be able to apply the theoretical knowledge acquired in your lectures.
Areas of employment for graduates
Chemielaborantin
Image: Anne Günther (University of Jena)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.
The study programme is taught in German. You must therefore have a very good command of German at the start of the study programme. Proficiency in English is required.
Please submit an up-to-date and complete CV in tabular form. Please provide full details regarding your schooling and academic education to date. You can find more information hereExternal link.
Please upload the school certificate confirming your university entrance qualification to our application portal. You can find more information hereExternal link.
Please upload transcripts of records for all previous periods of study and degrees, as well as, if applicable, your degree certificate, to the portal.
Proof of sufficient German proficiency must be provided for all German-language degree programmes. The following certificates are recognized as proof of proficiency by Friedrich Schiller University Jena:
Please note: We strongly recommend that you submit the required proof of German proficiency at the time of your application.
If you do not yet have the required language certificate, you may apply for our DSH course starting from German level B1. This course ensures optimal language preparation and also gives you the opportunity to get to know Jena while benefiting from student status.
A translation into German or English must be submitted for every application document that was not originally issued in German or English. These translations must be prepared by an authorized translation office.
Applicants with university degrees from India, Vietnam, or the People’s Republic of China must submit an APS certificate.
Applicants from the following countries must provide proof of their university entrance examination:
Room E006
Humboldtstraße 11
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
Humboldtstraße 11
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
Humboltstraße 11
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
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
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
University Main Building
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link