What is it all about?

The degree program in Food Chemistry at KIT immerses you in the world of chemistry with a focus on food safety and food quality. You will learn the chemical basics that are important for the production, analysis and safety of food. You will deal with the composition of food, the interactions of ingredients and their changes through processing or storage. You will understand how chemical processes influence the quality and shelf life of food and how you can optimize them. The program provides you with in-depth knowledge of inorganic, organic and analytical chemistry and emphasizes practical work in the laboratory.

The program has its roots in the field of consumer protection to ensure the quality and safety of food. Since the 1970s, food chemistry has played a central role in testing food for contaminants and pollutants and developing innovative solutions for food safety. Although the focus is on food, the chemical principles and analytical methods learned are also applicable to other areas such as cosmetics, pharmaceutical products and animal feed .

In contrast to a nutritional science degree, the focus in food chemistry is less on the health aspects of nutrition and more on the chemical processes during food production and processing. Food chemists concentrate on the molecular composition of food and its analysis in order to ensure its quality and safety.

If you are interested in the natural sciences and would like to contribute to the safety and sustainability of food, this degree program is the ideal way to get started.

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 have these subjects on the Food Chemistry degree program:

• fundamentals of chemistry and biology: in this subject, you will lay the foundation for your food chemistry studies. You will learn the basics of general and inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry and biology, with a focus on crop botany and microscopy.
  
• fundamentals of mathematics and physics: you will acquire mathematical fundamentals such as linear algebra and analysis, which are important in chemistry and physics. In physics, you will deal with mechanics, vibrations, waves, thermodynamics as well as electricity, magnetism and optics.
  
• fundamentals of chemistry, analysis and food technology: in this subject, you will learn about the chemistry and analysis of food ingredients such as water, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, minerals, flavorings and additives. You will apply basic analytical methods such as gravimetry or spectroscopy and work with processes such as chromatography. You will also learn about process engineering and product development in the food industry.
  
• advanced studies of chemistry, analysis and food technology: you will deepen your knowledge of the composition of foods from various product groups such as cereals, fruit, vegetables, meat and baked goods. You will learn how ingredients change during processing and storage. You will be trained in the qualitative and quantitative analysis of food using chromatographic methods and sensory analysis methods. You will also gain insights into food production and quality assurance.
  
• fundamentals of complementary disciplines: this subject includes toxicology, legal studies, microbiology and quality management. You will gain basic knowledge of food law, toxicology and the structure and metabolism of microorganisms. You will also be introduced to methods of food hygiene and quality assurance.
  
• interdisciplinary qualifications: you choose courses from the House of Competence, Forum or the Sprachenzentrum. Math II or a subject-specific language skills course are also possible.
  

In the bachelor's degree program in Food Chemistry at KIT, you start with a broad scientific foundation course that provides you with a solid basis for the following study sections. This not only covers the classic chemical disciplines, but also physical and mathematical principles that help you to understand and apply chemical processes and reactions. Later on in the program, you will increasingly focus on specific food chemistry content. A special feature of the program is the high proportion of laboratory practicals, which provide you with valuable practical experience.

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, a scientific paper that allows you to apply and deepen the knowledge and skills you have acquired. You can write a theoretical or experimental thesis. It is also possible to carry out the work at another department or in a company, provided the institution is involved in the education of food chemistry. 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 serves as the basis for the subsequent master's degree program. After completing the master's degree, students have the opportunity to complete a one-year training course to become a "state-certified food chemist" and/or pursue a doctorate. In food chemistry, you examine and evaluate the composition of and changes to food, consumer goods, cosmetics, drinking and process water and animal feed. This involves analysing reactions during processing and supporting the development and optimization of manufacturing processes.

A degree in food chemistry opens up a wide range of career opportunities and activities in consumer protection, official food monitoring, in the food and cosmetics industry (e.g. product development, quality assurance), in private laboratories, research institutions or at universities, as well as in advisory roles.

Characteristic features of Food Chemistry B.Sc. at KIT

• start of studies accompanied by ExpertMentoring program
  
• sound basic training in natural sciences
  
• focus on food analysis
  
• elective options in the master's program (biochemistry / toxicology, food analysis)
  
• insight into research work and methods
  

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 Food Chemistry, 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.

• 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
• Studiengangswebseiten Lebensmittelchemie
• Fachstudienberatung
• Vorsitzender des Prüfungsausschusses
• Informationen zum Auslandsstudium
• Fachschaft ChemBio

Teaching calendar

Course catalog

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