Study Field Outline
Biology is the science of animate nature (life). It describes and investigates the various life forms of living organisms, their life expressions and how they relate to each other. Biology is divided into four main branches based on the nature of the organisms: botany (study of the plant kingdom), zoology (study of the animal kingdom), microbiology (study of micro- organisms) and anthropology (study of the comparative biology of humans under spa- tial and temporal aspects, and the relation- ship to primates); human biology focuses more on physicochemical aspects. Besides these traditional branches, many subdivi- sions have developed over time which deal with the processes and laws common to all groups of organisms (biosciences/ life sciences). These include cytology (cell biology), which deals with the structure,
characteristics and functions of cells; phys- iology, which studies the biochemical and biophysical functions and capacities (e.g. metabolism, intercellular communica- tion); molecular biology, which treats the molecular structure of organic substances and especially the chemistry and modus operandi of genetic factors (genes) and proteins.
These fields are closely linked to related disciplines like biochemistry, biophysics and medicine. Other branches include ethology (animal behaviour), evolution (development of species), and ecology (interaction and relationships between organisms and the environment). The human impact on the environment is examined particularly by geoecology, where the geosciences and chemistry, plus biology, physics and mathematics, play an important role.
own individual profiles. Complementary modules include technical English, for example.
Some higher education institutions also divide the Bachelor‘s programme into a basic and a main study stage.
5.2 Biology
Programmes in this field
Bayreuth U • Berlin FU • Berlin HU • Bielefeld U • Bochum U • Bonn U • Bremen Jacobs University • Bremen U • Bremerhaven H • Dortmund TU • Dresden TU • Düsseldorf U • Erlangen-Nürnberg U (Erlangen) • Frankfurt am Main U • Freiburg U • Göttingen U • Greifswald U • Halle-Wittenberg U • Hamburg U • Hannover U • Heidelberg U • Jena U • Kiel U • Leipzig U • Lübeck U • Mannheim HS • Marburg U • München TU (Freising, Garching) • München U • Münster U • Nürnberg HS • Regensburg U • Tübingen U • Ulm U • Witten/ Herdecke U (Witten) • Würzburg U
Other biosciences or life sciences have become increasingly important, since their applications-focused approach to problems is contributing decisively to structuring our future conditions of life itself. For example, biotechnology is concerned with researching and developing the technolog- ical measures that will make it possible to use living cells and is producing industrial applications for these. Genetic engineer- ing assists here by means of the controlled and specific modification of genetic mate- rial (mainly in micro-organisms). In numerous other degree programmes, too, biology is found as a basic science, e.g. in medicine, pharmacy, agricultural science or dietetics (nutrition science). Increasingly, the field of computer science and information systems is also address- ing biological problem fields, hence,
several higher education institutions intro- duced degree programmes in biological information systems (biocomputing or bioinformatics). The biosciences (also life sciences) are mainly experimental natural sciences and their mode of thinking and working has been shaped by the neigh- bouring sciences, namely chemistry, phys- ics and mathematics. In their overlapping areas, subjects like biochemistry, biophys- ics and biomathematics have evolved as independent scientific fields.
Studies at Universities and Universities of Applied Sciences
Studies: Basic biological training in mod- ules on topics like cell and molecular biol- ogy, botany and botanic systematology, zoology, biochemical and biophysical prin- ciples, neurobiology, microbiology, cell biology, genetics, biodiversity of the ani- mal and plant kingdom, ecology, evolution and systematology of animals and plants, morphology, developmental biology, phys- iology and biochemistry of plants, behav- ioural biology. Natural sciences training in the neighbouring life sciences subjects of mathematics, physics and chemistry. Depending on the institution in question, opportunities are available for specialising
in fields like molecular biology/cell biol- ogy, biochemistry/biophysics, biological information systems/biocomputing (bio- informatics), biotechnology, biodiversity/ ecology, parasitology/virology, physiology, neurobiology and developmental biology, environmental sciences.
Studies may be divided into a basic and a main study stage.
Study Field Outline
Biotechnology is seen as one of the key technologies of our age. Biotechnological processes have long been in use, for exam- ple in the production of yeast for baking and brewing, in antibiotics and insulin as well as in the use of micro-organisms in sewage treatment plants. Following rapid growth in the number of biotech compa- nies that have been established in recent years, Germany now counts some 480 purely biotech focused companies, thereby leading the way in Europe.
Biotechnology focuses particularly on the study of biological systems, especially micro-organisms, with a view to devel- oping technical processes and methods for the industrial production of cell and tissue cultures (e.g. biomass), cellular
contents (enzymes, etc.), cellular products (alcohol, citric acid, antibiotics, etc.) as well as for the degradation of pollutants (sewage treatment plants). The advent of genetic engineering, in particular, has turned biotechnology into one of the key technologies of the future for farming and agriculture, the food industry, medicine, pharmacy, energy and power manage- ment, and environmental protection. Hence, it is an interdisciplinary work field that has long created a demand for special- ly-qualified biotech all-rounders who unite a range of specialist skills and expertise. This demand is now being met by many relatively new biotechnology or bioengi- neering degree programmes. These unite specialist knowledge from the fields of biology, biochemistry and chemistry with
5.3 Biotechnology, Bioengineering
Programmes in this field
Aachen TH • Bayreuth U • Berlin FU • Berlin HU • Berlin TU • Bielefeld U • Bingen FH • Bochum U • Bonn U • Bonn-Rhein-Sieg FH (Rheinbach) • Braunschweig TU • Bremen HS • Bremen Jabobs University • Bremen U • Bremerhaven H • Darmstadt TU • Dortmund TU • Dresden TU • Duisburg-Essen U • Düsseldorf U • Erlangen-Nürnberg U (Erlangen) • Flensburg U • Frankfurt am Main U • Freiburg U • Gelsenkirchen FH (Recklinghausen) • Gießen U • Göttingen U • Greifswald U • Halle-Wittenberg U • Hamburg U • Hannover MHH • Hannover TiHo • Hannover U • Heidelberg U • Hildesheim U • Hohenheim U (Stuttgart) • Jena U • Kaiserslautern TU • Karlsruhe U • Kassel U • Kiel U • Koblenz-Landau U • Köln U • Konstanz U • Leipzig U • Lübeck U • Magdeburg U • Mainz U (Germersheim, Mainz) • Marburg U • München TU (Freising, München) • München U • Münster U • Oldenburg U • Osnabrück U • Potsdam U • Regensburg U • Rostock U • Saarbrücken U • Stuttgart U • Trier U • Tübingen U • Ulm U • Vechta H • Weihenstephan FH (Freising) • Würzburg U • Zittau/Görlitz HS (Zittau)
the methods and techniques of engineer- ing. On the one hand, courses focus on genetics, molecular biology and microbiol- ogy, and on process engineering, chemical engineering and environmental engineer- ing, on the other. This calls for students to have a broad-based interest in technical and scientific contexts. They learn how to apply their scientific-theoretical knowledge to technical contexts or to implement the findings of pure biotechnological research
on an industrial scale by applying modern processes, methods and techniques, there- by developing practical uses for these find- ings and insights. The interdisciplinarity of these programmes is mirrored by their internationality. Some institutions offer biotechnology degree programmes with an international focus or integrated semesters abroad.
Studies at Universities and Universities of Applied Sciences
Practical experience/internships: Univer- sities require students to complete a basic internship of varying length, although in most cases this does not need to be completed before they start their studies. Depending on their school/vocational qualifications, students at universities of applied sciences generally need to com- plete a pre-study internship of several weeks; practical phases of varying length are completed during the studies.
Studies: In the first (undergraduate) study sections, modules deliver the natural sci- ences, mathematical and subject specific principles in mathematics, chemistry (inorganic, organic, physical chemistry), physics, process engineering, microbi- ology, genetics, molecular cell biology and biotechnology, statistics, biological information systems (biocomputing/ bioinformatics). Students can also acquire cross-disciplinary key qualifications. As studies progress, students consolidate their knowledge in the relevant principles
and take modules from the fields of tech- nical chemistry (chemical engineering), chemical and biological reactors, instru- ment and plant engineering, immune chemistry, bioprocess engineering/reactor engineering, fermentation and process- ing, enzyme technology, environmental biochemistry, bioprocess engineering/ pharmaceuticals, metabolic physiology and ecology of micro-organisms, techni- cal biochemistry and microbiology/bio- chemical engineering and microbiology, microbes and molecular genetics, anatomy and physiology, organ diseases and treat- ment/therapy, clinical testing of drugs, cell culture engineering, legal principles of biotechnology, industrial hygiene, quality assurance; internships and project work. Optional modules enable students to indi- vidually consolidate or specialise in their studies.
Studies may be divided into a basic and a main study stage.
Study Field Outline
Chemistry is the natural science that stud- ies the structure, properties, composition and the nuclear transmutation of sub- stances. In chemical terms, substances are the elements and the compounds made up of these. Qualitative and quantitative anal- ysis provides the knowledge and insights needed for the production (synthesis) of new, not naturally occurring substances. The main branches of chemistry are inor- ganic chemistry, which deals with all the elements and their compounds, except for carbon, and organic chemistry, which studies the carbon (organic) compounds, which are in the numerical majority. Phys- ical chemistry addresses the principles of chemistry, such as bonding theory, ther- modynamics, kinetics and complex forma- tion, and is based on methods originating
from mathematics and physics. This field is closely related to theoretical chemistry, which deals with the theory of chemical bonding, and the explanation and under- standing of chemical processes resulting from the interaction between different substances and the transfer of electrons or processes to reaction surfaces. Analytical chemistry is also an important branch of chemistry. This examines the chemical compounds and compound mixes on the basis of the type and volume of their com- ponents. Growing significance attaches to macromolecular chemistry (polymeric chemistry), which deals with the synthesis of new plastics.
Applied chemistry opens up the use of chemical knowledge for many areas of human life. This involves developing methods for the large-scale production
5.4 Chemistry, Food Chemistry
Programmes in this field
Aachen FH (Jülich) • Aachen TH • Aalen HS • Anhalt HS (Köthen) • Bayreuth U • Berlin TFH • Berlin TU • Biberach HS • Bielefeld FH • Bielefeld U • Bingen FH • Bonn U • Braunschweig TU • Bremen HS • Bremen Jacobs University • Bremen U • Bremerhaven H • Darmstadt HS • Dortmund TU • Dresden TU • Erlangen-Nürnberg U (Erlangen) • Esslingen HS • Flensburg FH • Frankfurt am Main FH • Freiburg U • Furtwangen HS (Villingen-Schwenningen) • Gelsenkirchen FH (Recklinghausen) • Gießen U • Gießen-Friedberg FH (Gießen) • Hamburg HAW • Hamburg U • Hamburg-Harburg TU • Hannover U • Heidelberg U • Hohenheim U (Stuttgart) • Jena FH • Kaiserslautern FH (Pirmasens, Zweibrücken) • Kaiserslautern TU • Karlsruhe U • Lausitz FH (Senftenberg) • Lippe und Höxter FH (Detmold, Lemgo) • Lübeck U • Magdeburg U • Mannheim HS • Mittweida HS • München HS • München TU (Freising) • Münster U • Neubrandenburg HS • Niederrhein HS (Krefeld) • Offenburg HS • Oldenburg / Ostfriesland / Wilhelmshaven FH (Emden) • Rostock U • Rottenburg HS • Stuttgart U • Südwestfalen FH (Iserlohn) • Trier FH (Birkenfeld) • Weihenstephan FH (Freising) • Wiesbaden FH (Rüsselsheim) • Wildau TFH • Würzburg U • Zittau IHI • Zittau/Görlitz HS (Zittau)
of plastics and man-made fibres, mineral fertilisers, or pesticides. Applied chemistry overlaps and intersects with process engi- neering/chemical engineering in many areas. Further branches of chemistry include, for example, biochemistry that provides a bridge from organic chemistry to biology and is being offered in inde- pendent degree programmes at ever more institutions, to geochemistry that concerns itself with the chemistry of the soil, the Earth surface, etc. and thereby has links with the geosciences/Earth sciences, and agricultural chemistry which has points of contact with the agricultural sciences. Pharmaceutical chemistry forms the link to pharmacy. A new branch is to be seen in ecochemistry, which develops methods for detecting and identifying environmen- tal chemicals in ecosystems and provides a basis for evaluating chemical environ- mental risks. Other subject areas include building chemistry, nuclear chemistry, electrical chemistry, textile or detergent chemistry.
Business chemistry serves as an interface between chemistry and business. The degree programme offers a profession- orientated combination of studies in natural sciences and business adminis- tration. These interdisciplinary degree programmes qualify graduates for a wide range of different career fields in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry as well as in consultancy companies. Food chemistry deals with the chemistry of foods and their composition in terms of ingredients, with changes caused by stor- age and processing, and methods of ana- lysing and testing purity and quality and
of detecting and identifying false products (forgeries and fakes); this field also stud- ies numerous additives, tobacco products and cosmetics. Finally, it also covers con- sumer articles like food packaging, cloth- ing items, toys, domestic cleaning agents, household deodorants and insecticides in domestic residences. Food chemistry should not be confused with food technol- ogy, which involves technical procedures for the production and processing of food- stuffs, or with dietetics (nutrition science), which is devoted to the study of human nutrition from physiological, economic and other perspectives. Independent uni- versity degree programmes in food chem- istry end with a state examination and are governed by the education and exami- nation regulations of the federal states (Länder). Besides these options, food chemistry may also be studied as a major within degree programmes in chemistry or pharmacy.
While university studies concentrate primarily on the scientific principles and methods of chemistry and their applica- tions in the chemical industry, the more engineering-focused degree programmes in chemistry offered at universities of applied sciences aim to provide graduates with the qualifications needed for work- ing independently in laboratories as well as in industrial production and operations sectors.
Studies at Universities
Practical experience/internships:
Students of food chemistry not only need to attend special lectures and complete special internships during their studies, but must also complete 12 months of prac- tical training in a chemistry or food chem- istry testing institute after passing the first state examination.
Studies: Modules deliver the mathemati- cal and natural sciences principles of chemistry in subjects like general, organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry, analyti- cal chemistry, biological chemistry, plus mathematics and physics for chemical sci- entists, technical chemistry/engineering chemistry, biochemistry, macromolecular
chemistry and theoretical chemistry, toxi- cology, spectroscopic methods, safety and security, law. Majors and specialisations may be chosen in accordance with the students‘ special interests, e.g. in theo- retical chemistry, biochemistry, quality assurance, radiochemistry, environmental or water chemistry or from the teaching offered by other departments, such as materials research, structural biology, toxi- cology or chemical information. Cross-dis- ciplinary modules cover topics like ethics, foreign languages, business management, patent law.
The food chemistry degree programme has a strong analytical orientation and also considers biological and microbiological methods as well as aspects of food law.
Programmes in this field
Aachen TH • Bayreuth U • Berlin FU • Berlin HU • Berlin TU • Bielefeld U • Bochum U • Bonn U • Braunschweig TU • Bremen Jacobs University • Bremen U • Chemnitz TU • Clausthal TU • Darmstadt TU • Dortmund TU • Dresden TU • Duisburg-Essen U • Düsseldorf U • Erlangen-Nürnberg U (Erlangen) • Flensburg U • Frankfurt am Main U • Freiberg TUBergAk • Freiburg U • Gießen U • Göttingen U • Halle-Wittenberg U • Hamburg U • Hannover U • Heidelberg U • Hildesheim U • Hohenheim U (Stuttgart) • Jena U • Kaiserslautern TU • Karlsruhe U • Kiel U • Koblenz-Landau U • Köln U • Konstanz U • Leipzig U • Lüneburg U • Mainz U • Marburg U • München TU (Garching) • München U • Münster U • Oldenburg U • Osnabrück U • Paderborn U • Potsdam U • Regensburg U • Rostock U • Saarbrücken U • Siegen U • Stuttgart U • Tübingen U • Ulm U • Vechta H • Wuppertal U • Würzburg U
Studies at Universities of Applied Sciences
Practical experience/internships: No pre- study internships usually required. Practi- cal phases of varying length are completed during the studies.
Studies: Modules in the subjects math- ematics/applied mathematics and statis- tics, physics, physical chemistry, general, analytical, organic and inorganic chem- istry, technical chemistry/engineering chemistry, polymer chemistry and bio- chemistry, synthetics, plastics and man-
Study Field Outline
Computer science is the discipline, tech- nology and application of automated/ machine data and information processing, storage and transmission, in particular aided by computers. Computer science is closely related to mathematics and electri- cal engineering/electronics, but is also to be regarded as a basic and cross-sectional discipline that concerns itself with techni- cal, organisational and social problems in the development and application of infor- mation processing systems.
Computer science studies the fundamen- tal procedures of information processing and the general methods of applying such procedures to a wide range of different areas. Through abstraction and model- ling it extends both beyond the field of
concrete technical implementations of information processing systems and also beyond the special features of specific applications to formulate generally appli- cable laws. Building on this, computer science develops standard solutions for various practical uses, such as managing large volumes of data and information and controlling complex production proc- esses.
Computer science has been offered as an academic discipline in Germany since the end of the 1960s. In the university sector, degree courses are usually called Infor- matik (computer science / information systems), in which the content, especially in the early semesters, is taught without consideration of the special orientations. Consolidation in the classical branches made/artificial/synthetic materials, analy-
sis engineering, fluid mechanics/fluidics, instrumental analytics, mechanical and thermal process engineering, process simulation, plant planning, instrumental and control engineering. Students can build their own profiles through numer- ous elective modules or majors/core study areas in fields like environmental chemistry/environmental technology, plant engineering, chemical/biological process engineering and processes, food and consumer protection, nuclear chem- istry. Complementary modules include technical English, presentation and tech-
nical documentation, business manage- ment.
Studies may be divided into a basic and a main study stage.
Programmes in this field
Aachen FH (Jülich) • Aalen HS • Berlin TFH • Bonn-Rhein-Sieg FH (Rheinbach) •
Esslingen HS • Gelsenkirchen FH
(Recklinghausen) • Idstein EFF • Isny NTA • Lippe und Höxter FH (Detmold, Lemgo) • Niederrhein HS (Krefeld) • Nürnberg HS • Reutlingen HS • Zittau/Görlitz HS (Zittau)