What is it all about?

Studying Chemical Biology will teach you the fascinating world of molecules and their role in living systems. You will learn to combine chemical, biological and physical methods in order to understand complex biological processes at a molecular level. You will gain a deep understanding of the structure and function of biomolecules and learn how you can specifically investigate and influence them. In contrast to biochemistry, which primarily investigates biochemical metabolic processes, the focus of chemical biology is on the targeted chemical modification and analysis of biological systems. You will develop tools and methods that provide new insights into biology and drive forward applications in medicine, environmental research and biotechnology. If you love interdisciplinary thinking and want to combine natural sciences, this is the right place for you.

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 these subjects on the Chemical Biology degree program:

• fundamentals of inorganic, organic and physical chemistry: in these basic subjects, you will learn the fundamentals of the chemical sciences. You will deal with the structure and reactivity of molecules, the laws of chemical reactions and physical-chemical phenomena such as thermodynamics and kinetics.
  
• fundamentals of physics and mathematics: you will learn about mathematical tools such as linear algebra and analysis, which are essential in chemistry and physics. In physics, you will deal with mechanics, vibrations, waves, thermodynamics as well as electricity, magnetism and optics.
  
• fundamentals of biology: this subject teaches you about the chemical and biological foundations of life, including DNA, RNA, proteins, cell biology, genetics and evolution. You will learn how plants and animals function as systems and how biological phenomena are explained. Microbiology teaches you the molecular basics and the influence on genes and their expression.
  
• advanced organic chemistry: you will deepen your knowledge of modern synthetic chemistry with a focus on carbonyl chemistry, organometallic chemistry and stereoselective syntheses. Topics such as synthesis planning, selective reagents, oxidation-reduction methods, Baldwin rules, peptide chemistry and analytical methods for molecular structure supplement the content.
  
• biology specialization: here you will learn basic techniques of modern biology such as fluorescence microscopy, Westerblot and PCR to examine cells, proteins and DNA, as well as how to use gene databases
  
• fundamentals of biochemistry, bioanalytics and chemical biology: here you will learn to examine biological molecules using methods such as protein analysis and nucleic acid determination. You will also acquire knowledge of cell culture, enzyme kinetics, the synthesis of biologically active molecules and the manipulation of biological processes using chemical methods. You will also learn how to carry out and evaluate scientific experiments correctly.
  
• chemical-biological research: in this module, you will prepare for your bachelor's thesis. You will choose a topic that you will work on during a five-week practical course. You will deepen your knowledge of chemical-biological methods, practise experimental design and problem-oriented thinking.
  
• interdisciplinary qualifications: in the modules Legal Studies, Toxicology, Information Technology and Scientific Writing, you will learn to use information technology specifically for scientific work, acquire legal knowledge on safe laboratory operation and handling hazardous substances, gain insight into toxicological effects and learn the basics of scientific writing, including correct citation and creating illustrations.
  

In the bachelor's degree program in Chemical Biology at KIT, you will start with a broad scientific foundation. This solid foundation prepares you for the following stages of your studies. At the beginning, the focus is on basic laboratory work, where you will learn important techniques for scientific work.

In the further course of your studies, you will build on these foundations by increasingly dealing with the combination of different disciplines. You will learn to apply modern methods of chemical biology and deepen your knowledge in the individual subject areas. Towards the end of your studies, the focus will be on applying these methods in research projects. You will be prepared to carry out scientific work independently and to conduct further research.

A special feature of the degree program is the high proportion of laboratory courses, which provide you with valuable practical experience. In addition, you will acquire interdisciplinary qualifications that will optimally prepare you for your future career in research, industry or other scientific fields.

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 in your field of study and requires independent research, analysis and writing. The maximum duration of the bachelor's thesis is three months. The bachelor's thesis also includes a presentation of your results.

The bachelor's degree program in Chemical Biology forms the basis for a master's degree in Chemical Biology and closely related disciplines. After completing the master's program, students usually aim to go on to do a doctorate.

After studying chemical biology, you will have a wide range of career opportunities, for example at universities and research institutes, in companies in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries and in the biotechnology sector. The fields of activity there range from research and development, diagnostics, analytics, production and sales to marketing or consulting.

Characteristic features of Chemical Biology B.Sc. at KIT

• preparation and support courses in the MINT-Kolleg
  
• ExperiMentoring program at the start of studies
  
• interdisciplinary orientation
  
• small degree program (30 study places)
  
• unique opportunity to combine university education with research at large-scale research facilities
  
• international programs such as EPICUR and EUCOR as well as overseas programs
  

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 Chemical 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).

Important: you must provide proof of the required language skills regardless of your citizenship and by the end of the enrollment period at the latest, but preferably at the time of application.

In what form do I have to provide the language certificates? Please read the following chapters on this website carefully. If you have any further questions, please contact

• Students Office if you are applying as a German, German national or a person with German equivalent status
• the International Students Office if you are a non-EU national

Proof of sufficient German language skills

As proof of your German language skills, your higher education or master's entrance qualification (e.g. Abitur, university degree or a professional qualification that entitles you to study) is sufficient if you have acquired it at a German-speaking institution with German as the language of instruction.

In concrete terms, this means that you do not have to submit additional proof of German if you

• have obtained your Abitur at a German-speaking school in Germany or abroad,
• 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
• you graduated from a foreign school, but there is another official agreement with the respective country regarding 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 Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Laender (KMK) in the Federal Republic of Germany.

If you have already completed a German-language degree at a German university, this can also count as proof of German language proficiency - but only if the diploma supplement, transcript of records or degree certificate clearly states that German was the sole language of instruction and examination.

If, on the other hand, you did not obtain your higher education or master's entrance qualification at a German-speaking institution with German as the language of instruction, you must provide proof of German language proficiency at least at DSH-2 level. This corresponds to CEFR level C1.

Only the following certificates are accepted in accordance with the KIT admission and enrollment regulations:

• passed German section of the Feststellungspruefung (assessment test)
• passed German language test for university admission (DSH) with overall result DSH-2
• passed Test of German as a Foreign Language (TestDaF) with level 4 in all four parts of the exam
• German Language Diploma of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs - second level (DSD II)
• Goethe certificate C1 or higher
• passed telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule exam
• Austrian Language Diploma C1 or higher

Note: The above-mentioned tests are accepted as proof of language proficiency for an unlimited period of time, even if the provider specifies an expiration date.

What if I cannot provide suitable C1 proof of German at the time of application?

If you are unable to provide any of the C1 certificates listed above demonstrating your German language skills by the application deadline, you may still be admitted if you can provisionally demonstrate at least B1 language proficiency. Proof of B1 level is provided by a recognized language certificate or other certification from a language or other educational institution that clearly shows that B1 level has been achieved.

But please don't forget: you still have to submit the C1 certificate by the end of your enrollment period at the latest, which is stated in your admission letter.

Therefore, check early on whether you can provide the necessary language certificates by the deadline and, if necessary, plan to take a recognized language test.

In justified cases, you can apply for an extension of the enrollment deadline to provide proof of your language skills, but this extensvion can only be granted up to the day before the start of the lecture period. Please contact the Student Office or the International Students Office - depending on who is named as your point of contact in your letter of admission.

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 30 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:
   • mathematics
   • German
   • top-graded, continued (modern) foreign language
   • top-graded natural science from the fields of biology, chemistry or physics
   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 2 + value 3 = max. 60 points in total

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
• Studieninformationstag: 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
• Studiengangswebseiten Chemische Biologie
• Fachstudienberatung
• Vorsitzender des Prüfungsausschusses
• Informationen zum Auslandsstudium
• Fachschaft ChemBio

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