A Hallimasch in the juvenile stage growing on special culture

Biosciences

How do living things adapt to changes in their environment? What does the extinction of insects mean for life on earth? And what happens to diseased cells in an organism? If you are interested in these questions, this is the programme for you!
A Hallimasch in the juvenile stage growing on special culture
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)
Key facts
Degree
Bachelor of Arts
Supplement to degree
minor in a multi-subject bachelor’s programme
Admission restriction
without admission restriction (without NC)
Duration
6 Semesters
Credits/ECTS
60
Teaching language
German
Tuition fee
None
Semester contribution
€ 272,65
Start of studies
Winter semester
Part-time possible
Yes
Institution
Faculty of Biological Sciences
Application & Deadlines

Programme content

Have you ever heard of Nanoarchaeum equitans, a tiny archaeon riding a fire sphere? It is a tiny species of bacteria. In fact, it is one of the smallest living organisms on earth. And it pales in comparison to Armillaria ostoyae, a giant mushroom that covers an area of approx. 9 km2 in a national park in Oregon – that’s around 1,200 football pitches. Gigantic, right?

These are just some of the peculiarities covered in biology, which essentially deals with everything that lives on our planet. If you study ‘Biosciences’, you will take a closer look at living things and their interactions with the environment – with a special focus on social relevance. After all, biological aspects are becoming increasingly important in tackling the great issues facing society, which is why more and more specialist knowledge is needed in many non-scientific areas. For example, you have the option of combining Biosciences with subjects such as Educational Science, Philosophy or Sports Science.

If you take ‘Biosciences’ as a minor subject, you will mainly learn the basic theoretical principles taught in various branches of modern life sciences. You will set your own focus in terms of content – and there is a wide range of modules to choose from, including Zoology, Botany, Ecology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, as well as Nutritional Sciences, Human Biology, Pharmacy and Genetics / Bioinformatics.

Structure

Multi-subject bachelor’s programme
Multi-subject bachelor’s programme
Picture: Sophie Bartholome

A bachelor’s degree is the first professional qualification that can be obtained at a university. The standard length of the programme is six semesters, and different types of courses are offered for each module (e.g. seminars, lectures or practical classes).

A multi-subject bachelor’s programme consists of a major subject worth 120 ECTS credits (1 ECTS credit = 30 hours for attendance, preparation and follow-up work, private study, assessed coursework and examinations) and a minor subject worth 60 ECTS credits.

As a minor subject, ‘Biosciences’ can be combined with all major subjects offered at the University of Jena. You will take a total of five modules, which you can choose according to your interests.

How might your degree programme shape up?

All the modules you can choose from in Biosciences are listed below. You can find more detailed information in the module catalogue for the degree programmeExternal link.

  • Zoology
    • General Zoology (lecture)
    • Systematic Zoology (lecture)
    • Zoological Biodiversity (practical training)

    Total: 12 ECTS

  • Botany
    • General Botany (lecture)
    • Systematic Botany (lecture)
    • Botanical Biodiversity (practical training)

    Total: 12 ECTS

  • Ecology
    • General Ecology (lecture)
    • Human Ecology (lecture)
    • Nature Conservation and Environmental Protection (lecture)
    • Basic Practical Training in Ecology

    Total: 12 ECTS

  • Microbiology
    • General Microbiology (lecture)
    • Microbial Physiology (lecture)
    • Diversity of Microbial Life Forms (lecture)

    Total: 12 ECTS

  • Genetics / Bioinformatics
    • Genetics (lecture)
    • Molecular Evolution (lecture)
    • Introduction to Bioinformatics (lecture)
    • Bioinformatics (practical class)

    Total: 12 ECTS

  • Biochemistry
    • Biochemistry (lecture)
    • Biochemistry (practical class)
    • Biochemistry of Hormones (lecture)
    • Fundamentals of Biomolecular Structures (lecture)

    Total: 12 ECTS

  • Pharmacy
    • Toxicology of Excipients and Harmful Substances (lecture)
    • Phytotherapy (lecture)
    • Fundamentals of Drug Development (lecture)
    • History of Pharmacy (lecture)

    Total: 12 ECTS

  • Human Biology
    • Human Biology I – Anatomy and Physiology / Ecology (lecture)
    • Human Biology II – Evolution (lecture)
    • Human Morphology and Evolution (practical class)
    • Human Morphology and Evolution (seminar)

    Total: 12 ECTS

  • Nutritional Sciences
    • Fundamentals of Nutrition (lecture)
    • Food Chemistry / Food Law (lecture)
    • Fundamentals of Nutritional Sciences (lecture)

    Total: 12 ECTS

Why study in Jena?

  • Rare combinations: The University of Jena offers students majoring in non-scientific subjects the rare opportunity to choose Biosciences as a minor subject. This means that a humanities subject or social science can be combined with a natural science subject.
  • Excellent research: The research conducted at the Faculty of Biological Sciences is focused around three main areas in which the University of Jena has made significant contributions over the years: microbial communication; biodiversity and evolution; and the regulation of age-associated processes.
  • Close cooperation: You can benefit from our ties to internationally renowned research institutions based in Jena, such as the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Hans Knöll InstituteExternal link), the Leibniz Institute on Aging (Fritz Lipmann InstituteExternal link), the Max Planck Institute of GeoanthropologyExternal link, the Max Planck Institute for BiogeochemistryExternal link and the Max Planck Institute for Chemical OncologyExternal link.
  • A world of possibilities: Experience our international flair! Our University appeals to students and researchers from all over the world and helps to shape Jena’s character as a cosmopolitan city that is fit for the future – it’s the perfect place for international studentsmp4, 57 mb · de.
  • Adventures abroad: You can easily realize your dream of spending a semester abroad de. We have a global network of partner universities.

A look behind the scenes

Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)
Salamander in Röntgenvideoanlage
Quick as a flashExternal link
The female salamander Lotte was put through her paces at the Institute of Zoology and Evolutionary Research using one of the fastest fluoroscopic systems in the world. The recordings allowed the animal’s movements to be studied in detail.

What can you do after your studies?

Career opportunities:

Your career opportunities will mainly depend on the major subject you choose. Here are some examples:

  • Scientific journalism
  • Public relations / publishing
  • Science and natural history museums
  • Environmental education
  • Government agencies and environmental protection institutions

Downloads and links for the degree programme

What are we looking for in prospective students?

  • An interest in scientific topics
  • Good knowledge of biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics 
  • Basic computer skills
  • Independent learning and organizational skills
  • A good command of English as the academic lingua franca

Admission requirements

  • University entrance qualification

    A university entrance qualification, such as a general secondary school leaving certificate, is required for admission onto the study programme.

    More information on university entrance qualifications can be found here.

  • Language requirements

    The study programme is taught in German. You must therefore have a very good command of German at the start of the study programme.

    • two modern languages (one of them English or French); proof of the second modern foreign language by the time of registration for the Bachelor's thesis at the latest

 Contacts

Sandra Döhler (Academic Advisor)

Room 138 (1st floor)
Bachstr. 18
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Opening hours:
Thursdays (13:00 – 15:00) and by appointment

Prof. Frank Hellwig (Academic Advisor)

Philosophenweg 16
07743 Jena

Academic Office for Student Affairs and Examinations (ASPA)

Carl-Zeiß-Platz 1
07743 Jena

Telephone hours:
Mondays and Fridays (9:00 – 11:00)
Wednesdays (13:00 – 15:00)

The ASPA is primarily responsible for students in the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, and the Faculty of Theology.

Central Student Advisory Service

University Main Building / SSZ
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Office hours:
We offer consultations in person, by telephone, and via Zoom. You can make an appointment by calling us on +49 3641 9-411111 (Mondays to Fridays from 9:00 to 11:00) or outside these office hours on +49 3641 9-411200. You can also use our remote help desk.

Consultation hours:
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays (9:00 to 12:20), Tuesdays (14:00 to 18:00), and Wednesdays and Thursdays (14:00 to 16:00).

Video chat: Zoom – Video chat Videochat ZeitenMondays to Fridays (12:30 to 13:00) Password ZSB2020 Data protection informationpdf, 101 kb

Student Service Centre

University Main Building, Room E065
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Opening hours:
Mondays (10:00 – 12:00)
Tuesdays (13:00 – 15:00)
Wednesdays (10:00 – 12:00)
Thursdays (13:00 – 15:00)
Fridays (10:00 – 12:00)

You can also use our remote help desk at
www.uni-jena.de/service-ssz
or send us your enquiries by post.

Telephone hours:
Mondays to Fridays
(9:00 – 11:00)

Postal address:
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
Studierenden-Service-Zentrum
07737 Jena

International Office - International students

University Main Building
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Additional services