General Information
Biology at the University of Konstanz
The University of Konstanz offers Bachelor/Master degrees in Biological Sciences and Life Sciences and biology majors for high school teaching degrees. In total, 180 credits must be compiled for the Bachelor degree, 120 for the Master degree and 86 contact hours for a biology major as part of a teaching degree.
The following other majors can be combined with biology for the teaching degree: Chemistry, German, English, French, History, Latin, Mathematics, Physics, Sport, Greek, and Politics.
The study of biology at the University of Konstanz necessitates a remarkably high number of written exams.
Students in the first semester are welcomed in a general introductory event and are offered special support in mentoring groups. The Department of Physics offers a preparatory mathematics course, which takes place before the start of the first semester. Tutorials in chemistry, mathematics and cell biology are offered by advanced students to those in lower semesters. Tutorials in ecology and evolution/ethology are provided by doctoral students. The relatively low numbers of students foster a constructive, familiar atmosphere between students and teachers. Practical work can often be done in small groups. Students can view their marked exams and discuss contentions.
The research foci of the Department are in the areas of molecular biological approaches to cell biology, basic biomedical research and ecology.
The University of Konstanz is situated on a campus outside the city of Konstanz, but is easily accessible from town by bicycle and public transport. The standard of the university library is very high; computers with internet access are provided. Books and media are sorted by subject and are freely accessible day and night on weekdays. Every student has access to the computer centre and computer work stations (CIP-pools) of each department. The Department of Biology has active exchange programs with universities in Stony Brook (NY, USA), Guelph and York (Ontario, Canada), Tel Aviv, Milan and Santiago de Chile.
Biological Sciences - Bachelor/Master
In the winter semester 2002/2003 the Department of Biology initiated new study courses leading to the degrees Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Biological Sciences. The Bachelor of Science course can only be commenced in a winter semester. The Master of Science course can be commenced either in a winter or in a summer semester. Applications must be sent to the University of Konstanz. The study plan is composed of obligatory and elected courses. Some courses are also offered in English in both the Bachelor and Master degree.
The study courses prepare students for functions in research institutions, commercial enterprise, especially biomedical, biotechnological, chemical and pharmaceutical industry, and in ecological practice. The Master degree additionally prepares the student for education and research activities at universities and comparable institutions.
The academic degree Bachelor of Science is a professional qualification. It is a prerequisite for entry into the Master of Biological Sciences course. The Master course is an independent course with an independent admission procedure. The internationally comparable degree Bachelor of Science enables the exchange of students with other German or international universities.
The academic degree Master of Science is a prerequisite for admission into a doctoral program. With the internationally comparable degree Master of Science, graduates can easily move to other international universities for their doctoral studies.
