You should enjoy scientific thinking and reasoning.

Biology is based on the laws of nature. Therefore, any fundamental aversion to physics or chemistry will not be of help to you. These fields make up 1/6 of this program of study, and mathematics and statistics make up another 7%.

Scientific curiosity can lead you into the world of molecules in a cell, genes in a genome, or microorganisms in a habitat. Your curiosity can also lead you into a world of vast relationships, such as the relation between species and their environment, between neurons and brain functions, or between individual organisms and their societal structures.

The starting points for the different subfields of biology can be very diverse.

• A passion for the systematic observation of nature might lead you toward modern ecology and biodiversity research
• An affinity for programming could lead you to the subfield of bioinformatics.

Entry phase:

• Study of the chemical and physical foundations of biology
• Courses on biodiversity, evolution, and the structures of animals and plants
• Course in mathematics and statistics

3rd–4th semester:

You will take courses in the following areas:

• The subfields of genetics and molecular genetics, cell biology, and microbiology
• Biodiversity, evolution (with field trips), and anthropology
• The physiology of plants and animals
• Bioinformatics and biostatistics

In the fifth semester, you can choose two subfields of biology for an in-depth study of their theory and practice (requires a multiple-day field trip in one subfield). In the sixth semester, you will complete a project and bachelor’s thesis in your chosen subfield of biology.

A compulsory elective option is available for the entire 5th and 6th semester:
Choice of biological sub-disciplines for the two research-related modules.

Stays abroad

Would you like to live abroad for a semester or a year? Do you want to learn another language and get to know a new culture? Or gain a different perspective on your particular subject? A stay abroad provides you with the perfect opportunity to achieve this and is possible with every degree program – either self-organized or by taking advantage of one of the popular exchange programs. This is made possible by various cooperation agreements and partnerships with foreign universities.

For more information on this topic, please visit our websites on studying abroad. Visit our student exchange platform for an overview of cooperating universities in your field.

This program of study does not require you to spend time abroad, but you nevertheless have the opportunity to do so.

We recommend a stay abroad in the 5th semester.

Internships and lab courses

During your course of studies, you will complete a number of lab courses at the university.

Even voluntary internships are a good way to learn about a career field.

Company-based, non-university internships in a variety of fields can help you determine which careers or industries are of interest to you. This will help you shape your career path, but also mold your course sequence – in particular by selecting specializations that suit your practical experience.

You can find further information and relevant internships on the Career Service website.

The Bachelor of Science in Biology is itself a professional degree. Students often specialize further by taking advantage of one of the many consecutive master’s degree programs in the life sciences.

Aside from the subject-specific knowledge in the subfields of biology, this program of study will teach you:

• How to think and draw conclusions in the natural sciences
• Academic writing
• Hands-on work in the molecular laboratory with cell cultures and microorganisms
• How to understand -omics approaches, e.g. in the fields of genomics, proteomics, or metabolomics
• Quantitative behavioral observation, modern techniques of light microscopy
• Species diversity and species identification
• How to understand ecological relationships

Typical employers for Biology graduates are:

• NGOs (e.g. the Society for Nature Conservation and Ornithology [Gesellschaft für Naturschutz und Ornithologie, BUND])
• The pharmaceutical industry
• The agricultural industry (intermediate management)
• Publishing companies
• Governmental agencies

You also have good chances of being hired in the following areas:

• Corporate consultation
• Services (e.g. clinical monitoring)
• Journalism

A continuing master’s degree program will allow you to enter industrial or academic research areas.

Not sure what to do after graduation? Don’t worry!

A university degree generally does not prepare you for a single profession but qualifies you for a wide range of career paths – for example, in research, in a typical profession related to your field of study, or in one of many other academic fields.

This is why career orientation is also part of your studies. Gaining practical experience is key, and you can do so through internships, working student positions, part-time jobs or voluntary work, for example.

JGU’s Career Service will support you throughout the entire process with information, advice, workshops and numerous events – from career orientation and working on your profile and skills to finding your dream job and successfully applying for it.