Life Sciences Biology (Bachelor of Science)

Type of study: full time

Standard period of study, credits : 6 semesters, 180 ECTS

Start of degree program: winter semester

Admission category: aptitude recommendation

Language of instruction:  German

Main location: Freising-Weihenstephan (Greater Munich area)

Tuition fees: none (information about the semester fee)

Biological aspects permeate every facet of everyday life and are of enormous importance to the future of humanity – climate change and viral infections are only two particularly relevant areas. Biology deals with the totality of life processes and is therefore at the center of the life sciences. The Bachelor's program in Life Science Biology at the TUM offers a foundational scientific education, in which you will learn to analyze and abstract complex biological systems and interrelationships, formulate questions and develop solutions.

You will deal with all areas of biology – from the biochemistry of living cells to organs, organisms and ecosystems. During the numerous research internships, you will learn to work independently as well as in the laboratory or in the field. The broad approach allows you to get involved in a wide variety of projects and to have a consistent and comprehensive understanding from the molecular perspective to the overall system.

The Bachelor's program in Life Science Biology opens up a wide range of career opportunities. The majority of students continue their studies with a consecutive master's degree in order to take on managerial positions later or to continue their academic career with a doctorate. Due to your broad education in the Bachelor's program, you can choose from a variety of different master's programs such as Molecular Biotechnology, Nutrition and Biomedicine, Neuroengineering, Sustainable Resource Management, Biochemistry, Agricultural Biosciences and of course Biology.

In addition, it is possible to work on research projects in the industry or at public research institutions, to work for technical authorities, to provide scientific input for expert evaluation in the environmental sector or to work in patent offices. The booming biotech industry also has an increasing demand for skilled workers.

However, the breadth of the study program enables biologists to apply their personal interests in order to become application specialists for research techniques or to work in science journalism.

In the first two semesters, the focus is on scientific fundamentals such as chemistry, mathematics and physics, naturally paired with the first biological modules. From the third semester onwards, the life sciences will dominate with modules such as microbiology, bioinformatics, genomics, plant and animal physiology or developmental biology.

From the fifth semester onwards, you can form your own profile through elective courses. You must choose and successfully complete three of the five specializations offered (genetics and biochemistry, microbiology, ecology, plant sciences, animal sciences). Extra-curricular and general education modules such as languages and soft skills complement your profile.

Throughout your studies, theoretical lectures are accompanied by practical units and prepare you for your Bachelor's thesis, which is written in the sixth semester.

Interested? Take a look at the curriculum.

After completing your studies in Life Science Biology, you will have a deep knowledge of the scientific fundamentals of chemistry, mathematics and physics. You will be able to combine this knowledge with life science content and identify complex relationships.

You will have practical skills in the fields of biochemistry/bioanalytics, zoology, botany, microbiology and genetics and be able to apply a wide range of scientific methods to analyze biological problems. Accordingly, you will be able to formulate technical questions, evaluate experimental approaches and implement them in the laboratory or in the field.

You will be familiar with laboratory work and know all the regular requirements. You will be able to scientifically evaluate and interpret the results of the experiments and communicate them to the public. You will think and work in a networked and analytical manner and apply your methodological skills in a goal-oriented manner. Due to the freedom of choice in the later semesters, you will also have individual expertise. Furthermore, you can take a stand on social and ethical issues in the life sciences.

• Degree Program Documentation
  
  • Documentation 2018 - B.Sc. Life Sciences Biology
    
  • Documentation 2017 - B.Sc. Biology (expiring)

• Module Catalog
  
  • Module catalog 20211
  • Module catalog 20191
  • Module catalog 20121 - B.Sc. Biology (expiring)

• Curriculum:
  The degree chart gives you an overview and recommendation, which modules you should take in which semester according to academic and examination regulations (FPSO).

• Timetable (TUM ID required for login):
  This timetable is intended to give you an overview of the planned compulsory and elective modules of a semester. It is for orientation purposes only and will not be updated during the semester!
  
  Via TUMonline you can have a timetable created for each semester according to FSPO.
  
  Selectable specialisation modules B.Sc. Biology 2020 (expiring course)
  Selectable specialisation modules B.Sc. Biology 2019 (expiring course)
  
  You can also create your own individual timetable, which can contain not only the dates of the selected courses but also your personal appointments.
  
  In case of a regular course of studies, the curricula are required for the registration of the Scientific Project Planning and the Master's Thesis. In individual cases, it may also be necessary to discuss individual study progress. If you are unsure whether you have planned your studies in accordance with the statutes, you can of course always make an appointment to discuss the study plan. If you are unsure about anything, please contact the student advisory service. A final study plan is required at the latest when the certificate is issued. You have to fill out the study plan elective modules independently according to the FPSO. You can use TUMonline as database. You make the appointment with the student advisory service by phone. Before this date you have to send your study plan by mail to the student advisory service.
  
  First steps with TUMonline

• General Academic and Examination Regulations at TUM (APSO)
• Academic and Examination Regulations (FPSO)
• Examination dates & registration via TUMonline
  

In TUMonline you can register for the module examinations that accompany your studies. 

Important: You can only take most of the exams if you have actively registered yourself via TUMonline within the registration period. The registration and deregistration period will be displayed at the exam date.

Please note! In the basic and orientation exams (GOP) in the 1st and 2nd bachelor semester you will automatically be registered for all examinations during the respective semester, i.e. independent registration is not necessary in the 1st academic year.

• Further examination matters
• Academic progress check
• Examinations
• Recognitions
• Theses

Scientific Project Presentation (WPV) - WZ0207

The Scientific Project Presentation (WPV) is a mandatory exam for bachelor students of Life Science Biology and is worth 5 credits. It must be successfully taken before starting the bachelor thesis. It should be registered at thesis.co@ls.tum.de at the same time as the thesis registration (be sure to use the portal for this). Please allow 4-6 weeks for the approval process by the examination board.

The exam itself will then be created by one of the examiners in TUMonline in your Curriculum Support and the grade of the WPV will then also be entered there.

• Form for the notification of scientific project presentation (WPV)

Important information on the submission of theses

•  Board of Examination

The board of examination is a committee consisting of university professors and lecturers of the degree program. The chairperson of the board of examination of your degree program is Prof. Dr. Aurélien Tellier. Applications to the board of examination are received by the secretary and submitted to the board of examination for decision. You can reach the secretary by sending an email to recognition.wzw[at]tum.de.

Detailed, degree program - specific information about graduation can be found in the
Wiki Life Sciences – Study and Teaching - Graduation (TUM ID required for login)