What is it all about?

When studying biology, you will explore the diversity of life on earth - from the smallest molecules to complex organisms. You will study genetics, ecology, evolution, cell biology and biochemistry to understand how living organisms are structured, function and interact with each other. You will learn to analyze biological processes - from the regulation of genes to metabolism and ecological interactions.

Practical work in the laboratory is a central part of the program: you will carry out experiments, use modern analysis techniques and systematically evaluate scientific data. You will use technologies such as molecular biology, bioinformatics and microscopy techniques to investigate biological systems down to the molecular level.

The degree program not only provides you with broad specialist knowledge, but also the ability to work on complex scientific issues.

At KIT, you can choose between two study variants when studying biology: General Biology and Applied Biology. First, you apply for the bachelor's degree program in Biology. After admission, you determine your field of study by registering for the corresponding group of the crop lab course before the start of your studies.

Common foundations

Regardless of your chosen study variant, you will receive a sound education in the fundamentals of natural sciences. This includes chemistry, physics and mathematics, which are essential for understanding biological processes at a molecular and systemic level. There is a strong focus on practical laboratory work, where you will learn and directly apply experimental techniques.

General Biology

In this study variant, you will deal with the core areas of biology, including cell biology, genetics, morphology, anatomy, evolution, physiology, biochemistry, biodiversity and ecology. In microbiology, genetics and molecular biology, the focus is on the molecular foundations of modern biology. You will also learn about the wide range of methods used in biological research and gain an insight into bioinformatics.

Applied Biology

The focus here is on the transfer of biological principles into industrial applications. In addition to the classic biological disciplines, you will specialize in molecular biotechnology, bioprocess engineering and crop science. You will also gain insights into industrial processes, product development and economic aspects of biotechnology.

In higher semesters, you will deal with industrial biotechnology and topics such as patent law, application training and founding a company. Excursions to biotech companies and practical projects prepare you specifically for your career entry.

Program structure

During your studies, you have various subjects, which consist of one or more modules. A module deals with a specific topic and consists of one or more courses. In the module handbook for your degree program, you will find a description of the modules and their subject assignment as well as a study plan. This gives you an orientation as to which courses you should attend in which semester in order to complete your studies within the standard period of study. It takes into account a balanced distribution of courses over the individual semesters. It also ensures that you are first taught the important basics before moving on to more advanced topics. Your individual course of study may differ from this.

You will study the following subjects in biology:

General Biology and Applied Biology:

• scientific foundations of biological research: you will learn basic disciplines such as general and organic chemistry, biochemistry, physics, mathematics and statistics. These fundamentals are important for both study variants in order to understand biological processes at a molecular level, plan experiments and evaluate data. In laboratory practicals, you will apply your knowledge in practice and deepen it using modern methods.

General Biology:

• fundamentals of biological research: you will study the basic concepts of the biological sciences, including cell biology, genetics and evolution. You will learn about the molecules of life - DNA, RNA and proteins - and deepen your knowledge of classical and modern genetic methods. You will apply this knowledge in practical laboratory exercises and learn to use modern biotechnological methods to investigate biological processes. You will also immerse yourself in the physiology of animals and plants and study biodiversity and ecological systems.
• interdisciplinary qualifications: you will learn how to present scientific content clearly, structure complex topics and conduct in-depth research.

Applied Biology:

• fundamentals of biological application: you will gain an in-depth understanding of the practical application of biological systems in biotechnology. You will learn about the molecular and physiological processes of plants, animals and microorganisms and their use in biotechnological processes. In laboratory practicals, you will apply modern biological methods, for example to analyze genetics or work with microbial systems. Topics such as green biotechnology, crops, animal physiology and ecosystems are also included.
• interdisciplinary qualifications: you will critically examine the social aspects of biotechnology and be prepared for a career in this field. In addition, you will learn how to present scientific content clearly, conduct in-depth research and read original literature critically

The degree program in Biology at KIT is divided into two phases: at the beginning of your studies (1st to 4th semester), you will receive a sound education in basic biology and related natural sciences. You will deal with topics such as cell biology, genetics, biochemistry and ecology, with laboratory practicals and excursions supplementing the theory lessons. Chemistry, physics and mathematics form the basis for understanding biological processes. In the final semesters, you will deepen your knowledge according to your chosen field of study.

Stays abroad

KIT offers a wide range of options for stays abroad, from individual courses to a year abroad. Especially if you are interested in a longer stay abroad, it is advisable to contact the International Students Office early on.

Bachelor's thesis

At the end of your bachelor's degree, you will complete your bachelor's thesis, an academic paper that allows you to apply and deepen the knowledge and skills you have acquired. It usually deals with a specific topic from your field of study and requires independent research, analysis and writing. You can also complete your bachelor's thesis externally at a company, particularly in the Applied Biology study variant. The maximum completion time is four months. The bachelor's thesis also includes a presentation of your results.

Additional information

In addition to the module handbook, our booklet about the study program is a useful source of information. It also covers topics such as application procedure, starting your studies and career prospects.

The bachelor's degree program prepares students for the subsequent master's degree program. After studying biology, there are a wide range of opportunities at universities and research institutes, in companies in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries, in the healthcare sector, e.g. in hospital laboratories, in botanical and zoological gardens and nature parks, as well as in public administration, e.g. at environmental agencies.

Characteristic features of Biology B.Sc. at KIT

• two fields of study: General and Applied Biology
  
• preparation and support courses at the MINT-Kolleg
  
• ExperiMentoring program at the start of studies
  
• focus on molecular methods and questions
  
• interdisciplinary orientation
  
• involvement in applied research
  
• methods semester
  
• professionally relevant key qualifications
  

What KIT has to offer

• central campus close to the city forest and right next to the city center
  
• orientation week before the start of lectures
  
• 24-hour library offering single and group working places
  
• wide range of inexpensive catering options (dining hall, cafeteria, Koeri and Pizzawerk)
  
• numerous interdisciplinary offers for personal and professional development, e.g. Lernlabor, Schreiblabor and Perspektivenlabor
  
• study abroad, e.g. via Erasmus
  
• excellent university sports facilities with a large selection of sports
  
• comprehensive cultural offerings with university orchestras, choirs and theater groups
  
• extensive support for career entry and self-employment
  
• Lernraum app
  
• internationally oriented degree programs and diverse exchange programs
  
• modern laboratories and practical teaching methods
  
• diverse student initiatives, clubs and opportunities to actively participate in campus life
  
• stay in touch after graduation via the alumni network

Higher education entrance qualification (HZB)

Germans and persons of equal status to Germans (i.e. EU/EEA nationals and non-EU/EEA nationals with a German higher education entrance qualification) are entitled to study at KIT if they have one of the following qualifications:

1. General higher education entrance qualification (Abitur)
2. (relevant) subject-restricted higher education entrance qualification (not Fachhochschulreife)
3. Delta examination of the University of Mannheim (for holders of a Fachhochschulreife)
4. recognized advanced vocational training (e.g. master craftsperson) or vocational training, professional experience and aptitude test for those with professional qualifications

For further options, see §58 of the "Landeshochschulgesetz" (State Higher Education Act).

Please note: German nationals with a foreign school-leaving qualification must have the relevant "Regierungspräsidium" (regional authority) certify that their qualification is equivalent to the German Abitur.

For non-EU/EEA nationals with a foreign school-leaving certificate (hereinafter also referred to simply as non-EU/EEA nationals), the school-leaving certificate from some countries is recognized as a direct university entrance qualification in Germany. In many cases, however, in addition to the school-leaving certificate, a university entrance examination and/or a successful year of study in the home country and/or the "Feststellungsprüfung" must be proven with valid documents in order to be allowed to study a bachelor's degree in Germany. You can find the country-specific regulations in the DAAD admissions database or on the Anabin website (in German only) of the "Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen" (Central Office for Foreign Education). Further information is available from the International Students Office.

Language requirements and certificates

For the bachelor's degree program in Biology, you need sufficient knowledge of the German language, which corresponds to at least level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Proof of sufficient German language skills

Your higher education entrance qualification (HZB) is sufficient proof of your German language skills,

• if you obtained it at a German-speaking school in Germany or abroad,

• if you are a graduate of a bilingual secondary school in Germany or abroad and have passed a bilingual German examination, such as the AbiBac or the Gemischtsprachiges International Baccalaureat (GIB) or

• if you graduated from a foreign school, but there is another official agreement with the respective country on the recognition of your school-leaving certificate or language certificate as proof of language proficiency for university studies in Germany.

A complete list of foreign school-leaving qualifications and language certificates that are recognized as proof of sufficient German language skills can be found on the website of the Kultusministerkonferenz (Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany).

If you did not obtain your higher education entrance qualification at a German-speaking institution, you must provide a separate language certificate - regardless of your nationality. Only the following are accepted

• the passed „Prüfungsteil Deutsch“ of the Feststellungsprüfung,
• the passed DSH with the overall result DSH-2,
• the passed TestDaF level 4 in all four parts of the exam (reading comprehension, listening comprehension, written expression, oral expression) or
• a comparable, recognized certificate of sufficient German language skills.

To find out which other recognized certificates can be accepted as comparable by KIT, please contact

• as a German or German-equivalent applicant: Studierendenservice
• as an applicant with non-EU citizenship: International Students Office

Please note:
Language certificates are extremely important application documents that can prevent your enrollment if you do not submit them on time. Therefore, check early on in the application process whether you have the necessary language certificates for your degree program and, if necessary, plan to take one of the language tests mentioned above. The deadline by which you must submit language certificates corresponds to the enrollment deadline stated in your admission offer. In justified cases, you can apply for an extension of this deadline. The extension can be granted until the start of the lecture period at the latest.

Additional necessary requirements for enrollment

For Germans and those with German equivalent status, an additional necessary requirement for enrollment is proof of participation in a study orientation test (e.g. www.was-studiere-ich.de) or a study orientation consultation in accordance with §7 of the "Landeshochschulgesetz" (State Higher Education Act), e.g. by the Student Advisory Service (ZSB) of KIT. Non-EU/EEA nationals do not have to provide this proof.

Selection procedure for German and German-equivalent applicants

There are 120 study places available. After deducting the preliminary quotas for hardship cases (5%), foreigners (10%) and second degree applicants (2%), 10% of the study places are allocated to the applicants with the longest waiting time. 90% of study places are allocated via a selection procedure.

The selection procedure is mainly based on the applicants' academic performance. On the basis of these achievements and so-called other achievements, a ranking is made according to points.

Calculation of the selection points:

1. sum of the points in the Abitur certificate divided by 56 or 60
   max. 15 points
2. arithmetic mean (sum of all points divided by the number of courses) of the upper school courses:
   • German
   • Mathematics
   • top-graded, continued foreign language
   • Biology (if Biology was not taken as a continuation course, then top-graded natural science)
   max. 15 points
3. other achievements (completed relevant vocational training, relevant professional practice, special training, practical activities, extracurricular achievements and qualifications)
   max. 15 points

(value 1 + value 2) x 3 + (value 3) x 2 = max. 120 points in total

The KIT Department of Chemistry and Biosciences provides a list of achievements which are taken into account in the selection procedure.

The results of the selection procedures of previous years can be found in the "Zulassungsergebnisse" brochure ( only available in German).

Detailed information on the selection procedure can be found in the statutes for the university's own selection procedure for the degree program.

Selection procedure for applicants from non-EU/EEA countries

Please note that a different selection procedure applies for third-country nationals (non-EU/EEA). This selection procedure is based on the higher education entrance qualification. The higher education entrance qualification can be based on academic achievements in school, any previous academic achievements at universities and/or the "Feststellungsprüfung".

• all year round Information events of the Student Advisory Service (ZSB) on your desired degree programs, application and admission as well as starting your studies
  
• Try out KIT - clarify your interests and support your study decision by taking advantage of the diverse summer offers or participating in taster lectures.
  
• Campus Day: experience the campus live (together with your family) in spring and make your first personal contacts with the departments and their students
  
• Studieninformationtag: visit KIT on the state-wide study information day in November and experience the lecture hall feeling for the first time
  
• topMINT: you don't know yet what you want to study and need to bridge the summer? Take advantage of our orientation semester before you start your studies.
  
• Use our central online portal studienstart.kit.edu with all the important information and services you need to prepare for your studies and your first semester at KIT. Be it preparatory courses, study-related courses or mentoring programs.
  
• Orientation phase before the start of lectures - from students for students to get to know KIT, your fellow students and your student council. You will receive specific information on this when you enrol.
  
• You will be welcomed by KIT with a colorful supporting program at the welcome event for first semester students. You will receive the invitation after your enrollment.
  

Weitere Ansprechpersonen:

• KIT-Fakultät für Chemie und Biowissenschaften
• Biologie am KIT
• Fachstudienberatung
• Vorsitzender des Prüfungsausschusses
• Informationen zum Auslandsstudium
• Fachschaft ChemBio

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• Course catalog current term PDF (English)
• Archive of previous catalogs