What you can expect in our master's program

The master's degree program in Chemical Biology at KIT is particularly interdisciplinary and combines chemistry, biology and biophysics. You will learn to understand biological processes at the molecular level and to influence them using chemical methods. This prepares you optimally for working across disciplinary boundaries.

At the beginning, you will take the advanced module in chemical biology. Here you will deepen your knowledge of the central concepts, methods and applications of the subject. For example, you will study the bioconjugation and microanalysis of proteins and nucleic acids, learn how to use bioorthogonal reactions and apply high-throughput methods for automated screening in cells and model organisms. In addition, you will acquire skills in the structural elucidation of biomacromolecules such as proteins, DNA or RNA using simulations, protein crystallization and NMR spectroscopy.

Building on this, there is the specialization module in chemical biology, which deepens and further specializes your knowledge in a practical way. Here you can choose between the following specialization subjects:

• Chemical Biology
  
• Biophysics / Biochemistry
  
• Organic Chemistry
  
• Biology

In your chosen specialization subject, you will complete a six-week lab course in a working group, take part in a working group seminar and attend two lectures of your choice in your subject.

This is supplemented by a compulsory elective subject, which you can choose from the following areas:

• Biophysical Chemistry
  
• Organic Chemistry
  
• Biology

Here, too, you will attend two lectures of your choice in your subject. In addition, there is an advanced lab course - or, if you choose biology, two research modules and a project module. Each research module combines a lecture with an approximately four-week block practical in a working group. Instead of a large lab course, as is the case in the chemistry specializations, in biology you will gain practical experience in several shorter modules covering different areas.

You can choose from a wide range of lectures, working groups and practicals for both the specializations and the electives - according to your interests: from cell and molecular biology to peptide synthesis and molecular modelling.

You can find a complete list of all selectable modules in the module handbook.

The degree program is rounded off by Interdisciplinary Qualifications - freely selectable courses such as scientific methodology, key skills, business administration / management or ethics / bioethics - which prepare you for the demands of a scientific or industrial career, as well as the master's thesis. If you would also like to broaden your professional horizons or prepare yourself specifically for a career start, you can earn up to 30 ECTS credit points (CP) as part of additional coursework.

Program structure

Internship

The study program does not include a compulsory internship. You can complete a voluntary internship during your studies. If it serves the objectives of your studies and covers at least half of the lecture period, you can apply for a semester off (leave of absence). Such an internship offers you valuable experience outside the university and can make it easier for you to start your career later on.

Make your studies international

You have various options for integrating a stay abroad into your master's degree course. For example, you can study at a foreign university of your choice for one or two semesters via Erasmus+ or as a freemover. You can also do an internship abroad. In addition, selective mobility is possible via Eucor - The European Campus: KIT students can flexibly attend individual courses in addition to courses at KIT or study full-time for an entire semester or year at an Eucor partner university.

Further information can be obtained from the contact persons responsible for stays abroad at the KIT Department or at the International Students Office.

Master's thesis

At the end of your studies, you will complete your master's thesis (30 CP), an academic paper that allows you to apply and deepen the knowledge and skills you have acquired. It deals with a specific topic from your field of study and requires independent research, analysis and the preparation of a written thesis. The master's thesis takes 6 months to complete. You can start it as soon as you have achieved 80 LP. Upon request, the master's thesis can also be completed in a company or at another KIT Department.

After completing a master's degree in chemical biology, students often pursue a doctorate. After completing a degree in 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 M.Sc. at KIT

• unique opportunity to combine university education with research at large-scale research facilities
  
• broad range of courses, numerous specialization options
  
• integration into the EUCOR university network and the European University EPICUR. Participation in courses at the universities of Freiburg, Basel, Strasbourg, Colmar and Mulhouse as well as Amsterdam, Poznan, Vienna and Thessaloniki
  

What KIT has to offer

• central campus close to the city forest and right next to the city center
  
• 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
  
• internationally oriented degree programs and diverse exchange programs
  
• modern laboratories and practical teaching methods
  
• Lernraum app
  
• diverse student initiatives, clubs and opportunities to actively participate in campus life
  
• stay in touch after graduation via the alumni network
  

Admission requirements

The requirements for admission to the master's degree program in Chemical Biology are based on the current admission regulations:

• bachelor's degree
  a bachelor's degree (or at least an equivalent degree) in Biology, Chemistry, Physics (or a degree program with essentially the same content) from a university, university of applied sciences, university of cooperative education or a foreign university. The program must have been completed within a standard period of study of at least three years and with a minimum number of 180 ECTS credits.
  
• minimum achievements
  achievements in laboratory courses totaling 50 ECTS credits (CP) in the fields of chemistry, biology and physics
  

Note on the application documents

Enclose proof of all (laboratory) courses completed during your studies with details of the CP awarded for each. Proof of internships must include a description of the content.

Language requirements and certificates

For the master's degree program in Chemical Biology, you need sufficient knowledge of the German language. 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

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.

There are 29 study places available each year. These are allocated on the basis of a ranking list among those applicants who meet the admission requirements. The ranking list is based on a maximum of 298 achievable assessment points.

You can achieve in detail

• max. 198 points for academic achievements
• max. 100 points for other academic and professional achievements (completed, relevant vocational training or professional activity, special training, practical activities, academic achievements such as publications, outstanding academic work, research activities, research stays)

• KIT-Fakultät für Chemie und Biowissenschaften
• Studiengangswebseiten Chemische Biologie
• 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