Biology
Degree
Mono-bachelor, Bachelor of Science (B. Sc.) - Please also see the Biology combined bachelor’s course, the Biophysics mono-bachelor’s course and the ‘Bachelor’s and master’s courses’ FAQ as required.
Standard time for completing course
6 semesters
Start of study
Cf. course catalogue
Course structure
In total 180 credit points (CP*) are required
Mandatory Modules: 135 CP (including bachelor’s thesis)
Mandatory Elective Modules: 20 CP
General Elective Modules: 25 CP
*One credit point (CP) equals a workload of 25 - 30 hours for preparation, follow-up and attendance at classes.
Why study Biology at HU?
The Biology bachelor’s course offers wide-ranging basic training in organismic biology (botany, zoology), physiology, microbiology, molecular cell biology and ecology. This is combined with a knowledge of mathematics and the natural sciences disciplines of chemistry and physics, which you will require for an understanding of the issues of modern biology. Particularly noteworthy features are the close link with the Biophysics course and a focus on the basic knowledge of immunology. In addition, students may select courses from the fields of parasitology, developmental biology and theoretical biology during the advanced phase. The study programme also includes participation in a current research project. The course is an ideal preparation for the department’s consecutive master’s courses with a focus on organismic or molecular biology.
Course content
To find detailed information about the exact course content, use the annotated lecture catalogue and current timetables. You will find them online at hu-berlin/vorlesungsverzeichnis. The Study Counselling Service is also available to help you (see below addresses). You’ll find module descriptions, the course curriculum and other details in the course and examination regulations, available online at www.amb.hu-berlin.de, no. 7/2021, 1st revision no. 27/2022.
Mono-bachelor's course Biology with 180 CP
Mandatory modules (135 CP)
| Module | Description | Size |
|---|---|---|
| MB 1 | Molecular Cell Biology | 10 CP |
| MB 2 | From Cells to Organisms | 5 CP |
| MB 3 | Mathematical Foundations in Biology 1 | 5 CP |
| MB 4 | General and Inorganic Chemistry | 5 CP |
| MB 5 | Organismic Biology | 10 CP |
| MB 6 | Mathematical Foundations in Biology 2 | 5 CP |
| MB 7 | Organic Chemistry | 5 CP |
| MB 8 | Technical Practical in Chemistry | 5 CP |
| MB 9 | Physics 1 | 5 CP |
| MB 10 | Evolution and Biosystematics | 5 CP |
| MB 11 | Biochemistry and Microbiology | 5 CP |
| MB 12 | Biophysics and Biochemistry | 5 CP |
| MB 13 | Animal Physiology and Neurobiology | 5 CP |
| MB 14 | Physics 2 | 5 CP |
| MB 15 | Microbiology and Parasitology | 5 CP |
| MB 16 | Plant Physiology and Developmental Biology | 5 CP |
| MB 17 | Molecular Genetics | 5 CP |
| MB 18 | Ecology and Biodiversity | 5 CP |
| MB 19 | Theory, Tools and Methods in Biology | 5 CP |
| MB 20 | Study-project Mono | 20 CP |
| MB 21 | Final module / Bachelor's thesis | 10 CP |
Mandatory elective modules (20 CP)
Students must choose 2 modules.
| Module | Description | Size |
|---|---|---|
| MB 22 | Molecular Microbiology and Parasitology | 10 CP |
| MB 23 | Foundations of Plant Molecular Biology | 10 CP |
| MB 24 | Molecular Biology of the Cell | 10 CP |
| MB 25 | Neurobiology | 10 CP |
| MB 26 | Communities and Taxa in Space and Time | 10 CP |
| MB 27 | The Neuronal Basis of Behaviour | 10 CP |
| MB 28 | Molecules of Life | 10 CP |
| MB 29 | Foundations of Laboratory Animal Science | 10 CP |
| MB 30 | Special topics in biology 1 | 10 CP |
| MB 31 | Special topics in biology 2 | 10 CP |
General elective modules (25 CP)
In addition to specialised study, Students acquire subject-specific, non-specialist and interdisciplinary key qualifications of 25 CP. The general elective modules can be chosen freely from the module catalogues of other subjects or central institutions (see "Überfachlicher Wahlpflichtbereich" and/or Career Center, Language Center: http://agnes.hu-berlin.de/).
General elective course offerings for students coming from other courses of studies
| Module | Description | Size |
|---|---|---|
| MB ÜWP 1 | Cells and Organisms | 10 CP |
| MB ÜWP 2 | Organisms in their environment | 5 CP |
Students of the Bachelor's degree programme Biophysics can also choose the modules MB 10, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 within the framework of the ÜWP.
Master’s courses
You can apply for the following master’s courses at Humboldt-Universität:
- M.Sc. Quantitative Molecular Biology
- M.Sc. Organismal Biology, Biodiversity and Evolution
- M.Sc. Biophysics
You’ll find other programmes in the current ‘Post-graduate degree courses’ course catalogue, available at hu.berlin/master-en.
Addresses
Department of Biology: Invalidenstraße 42, 10115 Berlin, www.biologie.hu-berlin.de
Course Advisory Service: Prof. Eitinger, Tel. +49 30/2093 49684, monobachelor.biologie@hu-berlin.de
Approval/classification (Examinations Office): Tina Rohde, Tel. +49 30/2093 46789, bachelor.biologie@hu-berlin.de
Applications: hu.berlin/wo-bewerben, hu.berlin/apply
Links to job market: careers information centre, Hochschulteam calendar of events, Federal Employment Office Berufenet
Version: June 2024
Back to course catalogue
Contact for questions or feedback regarding this page: studienberatung@uv.hu-berlin.de