Insect burgers… black ice cream… chocolate pudding fruit… Welcome to the age of crazy food trends! German food culture is becoming more colourful and diverse – and is also affected by social change. The origin of food is also becoming increasingly important to people when shopping. And hardly a day goes by where we don’t see tempting food pictures on social media. But what is actually in the food we eat? And what effects does it have on the human body? Where do we draw the line between healthy eating habits, overeating and undereating? Is a vegetarian diet better for you? These are just some of the questions covered by our bachelor’s degree in ‘Nutritional Sciences’ (Trophology).
During your studies, you will learn exactly how the interaction between nutrition and the human body works. You will deal with the composition of food right down to the individual ingredients and nutrients, which affect the metabolism of cells and entire organisms and influence our health and well-being. And things get even more complicated when an illness is thrown into the mix.
In addition to knowledge of foodstuffs and the effects of certain nutrients, our personal eating habits also play an important role. Although many people know that they are not eating healthily, for example, they still find it difficult to change their eating habits. The basic aspects of these psychological processes will also be taught and discussed in your degree programme.
You will need scientific and biomedical knowledge to understand some of the more complex concepts. This is the only way you will be able to learn all the important and sophisticated aspects of nutrition across various disciplines.
Student in seminar
Image: Christoph Worsch (University of Jena)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 ‘Nutritional Sciences’, 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 semesters, you will be given a strong scientific and biomedical grounding in the subjects of microbiology, botany, zoology, physics, mathematics, chemistry, biochemistry, and molecular and human biology. You will then build on this foundation in the third and fourth semesters with content related more specifically to nutritional sciences, such as nutritional physiology and toxicology, biochemistry of nutrition, and food science. You will then apply the knowledge you have acquired up to that point in practical training related to nutritional sciences throughout the fourth semester.
Based on these experiences, you will be able to focus on topics of your choice in the fifth and sixth semesters with a wide range of advanced modules.
| 1st semester | 2nd semester | 3rd semester | 4th semester | 5th semester | 6th semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basics of human nutrition (10 ECTS) |
Physiology of nutrients (10 ECTS) |
Practical Training (30 ECTS) |
Choice between six advanced modules (30 ECTS in total)*
|
Choice between four advanced modules (20 ECTS in total)* |
|
| Zoology (5 ECTS) |
Biochemistry (10 ECTS) |
||||
| Microbiology (3 ECTS) |
Food Science (10 ECTS) |
||||
| Botany (7 ECTS) |
Biochemistry of Nutrition (5 ECTS) |
||||
|
Cell and Molecular Biology (5 ECTS) |
Nutritional Toxicology (5 ECTS) |
||||
| Chemistry (11 ECTS) |
Bachelor’s dissertation (10 ECTS) |
||||
| Physics & Mathematics (9 ECTS) |
|||||
Abbreviations: ECTS = European Credit Transfer System
* Advanced modules may be selected from three specializations that prepare students for master's degree programs or other advanced professional training: The directions include molecular nutrition science (research), applied nutrition science, and business administration.
You can find more detailed information in the module catalogue for the degree programmeExternal link.
The Institute of Nutritional Sciences is housed within a strong, interdisciplinary faculty on Dornburger Straße in Jena.
Career opportunities:
Student in the laboratory
Image: Christoph Worsch (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.
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:
Bachstr. 18 k
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
Dornburgerstr. 25-29
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
Telephone hours:
Fridays (9:00 – 11:00)
Bachstr. 18 k
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
Dornburger Str. 29
07743 Jena
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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).
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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