What is it all about?

How does a cell work? Why do plants breathe? And what do microorganisms have to do with our everyday lives? In the Biology major subject for Secondary School Teaching Degree at KIT, you will deal with the basics and diversity of life - and learn how to convey this knowledge later in the classroom.

The degree program combines sound scientific content with practical subject-specific didactics. You will deal with key topics such as botany, zoology, physiology, genetics, microbiology and molecular biology. You will learn how organisms are structured, how they function and interact - from molecules to ecosystems.

You will work practically right from the start: you will carry out microscopic examinations, apply identification techniques, work in the laboratory and take part in excursions. Through this, you will acquire methodological basics and work step by step towards modern research methods.

A particular focus is on the didactics of biology: you will learn how to teach biological content in an age-appropriate, clear and up-to-date way - e.g. on topics such as climate, health or biodiversity. You will develop teaching concepts, practise presentation techniques and explore the role of biology in education.

Program structure

The study program is made up of a total of 180 credit points (CP) according to ECTS. These are planned in a standard period of study of 6 semesters, but the actual duration of study can also be longer - the maximum duration of study is 11 semesters.

• two major academic subjects with 78 CP each (subject-specific sciences 70 CP + subject-specific didactics 8 CP)
• Pedagogical Additional Subject including orientation internship (12 CP)
• bachelor's thesis (12 CP)

If you choose Art or Music as one of your major subjects, the duration of your studies will be longer. In this case, you will usually start a year earlier at the respective partner university (Art: Karlsruhe Academy of Fine Arts - AdBK; Music: University of Music Karlsruhe - HfM)

At KIT, you always apply for two major subjects. You will only be admitted to the Bachelor of Education if you are accepted in both major subjects. If you are admitted in both majors, you will automatically be enrolled in the accompanying Pedagogical Additional Subject studies.

At KIT, you can combine almost all majors. The possible subjects are

• Biology
• Chemistry
• German Literarure
• Geography
• Informatics
• Mathematics
• Natural Sciences and Technology (NwT)¹
• Philosophy / Ethics
• Physics
• Sports
• Art (AdBK)
• Music (HfM)

Exceptions:

• ¹ NwT can only be combined with Biology, Chemistry, Geography or Physics.
• for Informatics and Physics , a combination with Mathematics is recommended. Students who do not follow this recommendation should take supplementary courses in mathematics, as these form an important basis for understanding the two majors.

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.

In the Biology major, your modules are: 

Sample study plan Biology major

You can find more information on the individual modules and courses in the module handbook.

Pedagogical Additional Subject 

In addition to your two main academic subjects, the Pedagogical Additional Subject will teach you the fundamentals of educational science, pedagogy, and psychology, and show you why modern education is so important. You will reflect on pedagogical practices, prepare for practical school placements, and review your own career and study choices. You will be supported in this by the KAiAC-T program (Karlsruhe individual Aptitude Check for Teachers): you will complete online self-assessments, develop a portfolio, take part in workshops, and reflect on your experiences in feedback discussions. 

Sample study plan Pedagogical Additional Subject:

Orientation internship

The orientation internship is the first practical phase of the study program to become a teacher. It helps you to reflect on your choice of studies and career and to check whether teaching is a good fit for you.

You complete the three-week internship at a grammar school or vocational school in Baden-Württemberg (except the school where you obtained your Abitur). It is supervised by a training teacher and accompanied by preparatory and follow-up workshops at the Center for Teacher Education (ZLB).

It is recommended to complete the orientation internship in the second or third semester during the lecture-free period. The ZLB offers information events twice a year.

Make your studies international

During your teacher training studies, you can gain experience abroad and intercultural encounters and thus acquire valuable skills for your future teaching career. You can spend a semester abroad through ERASMUS or other international partnerships, do an internship at a German school abroad or work as a foreign language assistant. International networks such as EUCOR or EPICUR also offer special programs for student teachers. Especially if you are interested in a longer stay abroad, it is advisable to obtain information from the Center for Teacher Education or the International Students Office at an early stage.

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 is written in one of your two main academic subjects and deals with a specific topic that requires independent research, analysis and the preparation of a written thesis. The maximum duration of the bachelor's thesis is six months.

If you combine your studies with art or music, the bachelor's thesis is always written in the artistic subject.

After completing the university teaching degree (Bachelor of Education and Master of Education) and the subsequent preparatory service, you can teach at general secondary schools, community schools and vocational schools. As a prerequisite for the preparatory service, a 4-week social, company or association internship must be completed, depending on the subject studied, which should preferably be completed during the course of study. There are various opportunities outside of school, for example in foundations and associations, in adult education, at universities, publishing houses and advice centers. A doctorate is also possible.

Characteristic features of Secondary School Teaching Degree B.Ed. at KIT

• wide range of subject combinations
  

• additional practical relevance through student and teaching-learning labs
  

• preparation and support courses in the MINT-Kolleg
  

• Center for Teacher Education (ZLB) as a central point of contact and advice for student teachers on all interdisciplinary topics such as school practice phases, educational science accompanying studies, traineeships, stays abroad, examination law aspects and other concerns
  

• orientation phase and Mentoring@Lehramt program by the ZLB to facilitate the start of studies
  

• program for reflecting on career choices (KAiAC-T)
  

• research-oriented teaching
  

• Center for Teacher Education (ZLB) as an interface to internal and external institutions involved in teacher training
  

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

You need sufficient knowledge of German for the bachelor's degree program in Secondary School Teaching. Your German language skills must correspond 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

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

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

In addition, regardless of your nationality, you must take the teacher orientation test ("Career Counselling for Teachers" (CCT)) in accordance with §60 of the Landeshochschulgesetz (State Higher Education Act) in order to enroll.

Selection procedure for German and German-equivalent applicants

There are 10 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
   • best graded, continued foreign language
   • Biology (if Biology was not taken as a continuation course, then best 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 ( only available in German) 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
• Zentrum für Lehrerbildung
• Fachstudienberatung
• Vorsitzender des Prüfungsausschusses Lehramt - Fachvertreter für Biologie
• Informationen zum Auslandsstudium
• Fachschaft ChemBio

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