Chemical biology, B.Sc.
Chemical biology is an interdisciplinary science, which emphasizes specifically questions from the boundary between biology and chemistry. Biological or medical questions such as "How does a protein work?" Are investigated using physical-chemical methods. The goal is the molecular understanding of biological processes. Other areas include the chemical synthesis and modification of biologically active substances, their technical exploitation and the optimization of biological processes.
Programme facts
| Degree | Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) |
|---|---|
| Duration | 6 semesters, 180 ECTS |
| Language of instruction | German |
| Required German | C1 |
| Study mode | Full-Time |
| Start | Winter semester |
| Application | winter semester until 15.07 |
| Admission | Admission restriction (NC): a competition of school grades |
| Tuition fee | €1,500 per semester for international students |
| Semester contribution | €184 per semester |
What the tuition fee consists of
Will I get in
The programme has an admission restriction: the average grade of your certificate, converted to the German scale, decides. The cut-off changes every year — last year's value shows the order of magnitude, not a promise.
How the selection works and how strong the competition is — we go through it against your certificate when we select programmes for you.
Programme selection →About the programme
The special feature of chemical biology lies in its interdisciplinary orientation, which is reflected in a wide range of qualifications. As a result, students are consistently prepared for later work beyond individual scientific boundaries. Topics of the study include molecular evolution, enzymatic specificity and catalysis, medical mechanisms, molecular communication and biosynthetic processes. The method training is predominantly based on the fields of biochemistry, molecular biology, and biophysics. While the six-semester bachelor's program teaches the basics of chemistry, biology, physics and mathematics as well as computer applications, the four-semester master's program provides the opportunity for knowledge enhancement and specialization. Three different study variants can be chosen: biochemistry, organic chemistry or biology.
What you study
The Bachelor's degree course has a modular structure. He teaches basic knowledge u.a. in the areas
The full curriculum and the programme's parameters are part of programme selection: we compare them with your profile.
Pick programmesCareer
Due to ever-increasing diversity within the life sciences, industry is increasingly asking graduates who are familiar with biology as well as chemistry, physics and information technology. Graduates of Chemical Biology can work in the fields of diagnostics, analytics, production, sales, quality assurance, project management, licensing, patenting, etc. Possible fields of activity are:
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- White biotechnology, which implements naturally occurring biological processes in such a way that they can be used ecologically or economically. Examples are the use of enzymes in detergents or as dyes, the biotechnological production of specialty and fine chemicals, food or food additives, agricultural and pharmaceutical precursors, or the production of energy through biological processes.
- The Chemical Industry and Pharmaceutical Industry.
- The agribusiness, for example when it comes to improving crops or developing plant enzymes and their principles of action for new applications.
- Areas of ecology / environment dealing with biotechnological processes for drinking water treatment, wastewater treatment, remediation of contaminated soils, waste recycling or exhaust air purification.
Finally, good Masters graduates have the option to take up a doctorate and pursue their academic career with the aim of becoming involved in scientific research. Following the approximately three to five-year doctoral phase, the title Dr. Ing. rer. nat. awarded. Since the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology is not only the university of the country but also the national research center of the Helmholtz Association, doctoral students have exceptionally good and diverse research opportunities.
Cost of study
| Tuition fee of the federal state (Baden-Württemberg), international students | €1,500 |
|---|---|
| Semester contribution | €184 |
Requirements and application
| Previous education | A school certificate that gives access to university in Germany — directly or after a Studienkolleg. |
|---|---|
| Language | German C1 — confirmed by a certificate when you apply |
| Application | winter semester until 15.07 |
The procedure and the set of documents depend on your certificate. We check the university's requirements against your documents and give you a list: what to submit, how to certify and translate it, where and when to apply.
Check the requirementsHow to get into this programme
- 1Check your certificate and its recognitionDirect admission, a year at a university at home, or Studienkolleg first — this decides the whole plan.
- 2German up to C1 and a certificateDSH or TestDaF has to be passed before you apply.
- 3Documents and translationsCertified translations of the certificate and transcript, an APS if required. 3–4 weeks.
- 4Application until 15.07Send the documents well before the deadline — an incomplete application cannot be completed after it.
- 5Admission, visa, movingPlan 2–3 months for the visa and the blocked account in parallel.
How to apply
You can submit the application yourself or with our help — the university decides on admission in both cases.
Applications go through the university's portal or uni-assist. Typical mistakes:
- ×incorrectly made certified copies and translations
- ×a wrong set of documents
- ×the application submitted the wrong way
- ×errors or gaps in the application form
- ×the application submitted at the wrong time — too early or too late
An incomplete or incorrectly prepared application is excluded from the selection — it can no longer be corrected after the deadline.
StudyInFocus does not represent the university and does not influence the admission decision. We do not sell study places and do not guarantee admission — this is a service for preparing and submitting documents on the applicant's side.
If your level is not enough yet
The two most common stoppers are a language level below the requirement and a certificate without direct admission. Both can be solved, but they take months — plan them now, not after a rejection.
Questions about this programme
How much does the programme cost?
What language level do I need?
When do I need to apply?
Don't postpone the application
The deadline is 15.07.2027 (274 days left). Language, translations and the document check take months, not weeks. In 30 minutes we will build a plan backwards from the deadline and tell you honestly whether you can make it.