Biophysics
Degree
Mono-bachelor, Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
Please see the ‘Bachelor’s and Master’s courses at HU’ FAQ.
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: 125 CP incl. Bachelor’s thesis
Mandatory elective modules: 35 CP
General elective modules: 20 CP
*One credit point (CP) equals a workload of 25 - 30 hours for preparation, follow-up and attendance at classes.
Course objectives
The Biophysics bachelor’s course provides students with the subject-related knowledge, skills and methods they will require to be capable of scientific work, scientifically-based judgement, critical reflection on scientific results and responsible action in the working world. This applies to qualification for a master’s course o the one hand, and to professional qualification in relevant occupations.
Why study Biophysics at HU?
Successful modern biology requires the ability to recognise and present complex relationships and networks, and the ability to use the laws of physics to explain processes on a molecular, cellular and organismic level as well. This requires interdisciplinary training that includes working with highly sensitive experimental methods to gather quantitative data and using them to construct meaningful theoretical models. The Biophysics course is therefore designed for people with a broad interest in the natural sciences. During the course, students will first acquire broad basic training in a wide range of natural sciences disciplines (mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics, computer science), and attend the relevant lectures at the corresponding departments. Building on this solid basic knowledge, the advanced phase of the course offers specialised biophysical programmes oriented towards current international biophysical research and offered in conjunction with research institutes from Berlin and Brandenburg. A particular focus is the close relationship between experimental and theoretical biophysics, e.g. the development of experimentally viable molecular and systems biology models. Graduates of the bachelor’s course have the prerequisites and skills required to apply for interdisciplinary life science master’s courses in Germany and abroad, including the Humboldt-Universität Biophysics master’s course.
Course content
The best way to find detailed information about the exact course content is by using the annotated university calendar and current timetables, which can be found at u.hu-berlin.de/vorlesungsverzeichnis and the department’s website: www2.hu-berlin.de/biologie/bpi/. The Study Counselling Service is also available to help you (see important 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. 8/2021, 1. amendment no. 41/2022, 2. amendment no. 29/2023.
Mono-bachelor's course Biophysics with 180 CP
Mandatory modules (125 CP)
| Module | Description | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Bio1 | Introduction to Biology | 10 CP |
| Bioph1 | Mathematics 1 | 6 CP |
| Bioph2 | Mathematics 2 | 8 CP |
| Bioph3 | General and Anorganic Chemistry | 7 CP |
| Bioph4 | Organic Chemistry | 6 CP |
| Bioph5 | Physical Chemistry | 8 CP |
| Bioph6 | Physics 1 | 8 CP |
| Bioph7 | Physics 2 | 9 CP |
| Bioph8 | Physics 3 | 5 CP |
| Bioph9 | Physical Internship | 5 CP |
| Bioph10 | Fundamentals of Biophysics | 10 CP |
| Bioph11 | Biochemistry | 8 CP |
| Bioph12 | Theoretical Biophysics | 5 CP |
| Bioph14 | In-depth module: Theoretical Biophysics | 10 CP |
| Bioph15 | In-depth module: Experimental Biophysics | 10 CP |
| BiophBA | Bachelor's Thesis | 10 CP |
Mandatory elective modules (35 CP)
| Module | Description | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Bio7 | Animal Physiology and Neurophysiology | 5/10 CP |
| Bio8 | Genetics and Molecular Cell Biology | 5/10 CP |
| Bio11 | Plant Physiology | 5/10 CP |
| Bioph13 | Microbiology | 5/10 CP |
| BiophSP | Study Project | 20 CP |
In addition to module BiophSP students must choose two of the following modules: Bio7, Bio8, Bio11 und BiophSP, one with 10 CP and one with 5 CP.
General elective modules (20 CP)
In addition to specialised study, Students acquire subject-specific, non-specialist and interdisciplinary key qualifications of 10 CP. The general elective modules can be chosen from the module catalogues of other subjects or central institutions (see: http://agnes.hu-berlin.de/). Other 10 CP must be completed with modules chosen from the course catalogue of the biology department.
General elective course offerings for students coming from other courses of studies
| Module | Description | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Bio13 | Biology Research Areas - Organismic Biology and Evolution | 5 CP |
| Bio14 | Biology Research Areas - Molecular Life Sciences | 5 CP |
Master’s courses
You can apply for the following consecutive master’s courses at Humboldt-Universität:
- Biophysics
- Molecular Life Science
- Organismic Biology and Evolution
You’ll find other programmes in the current ‘Post-graduate degree courses’ course catalogue, available athttp://studium.hu-berlin.de/beratung/sa.
Important addresses
Department of Biology: Invalidenstraße 42, 10115 Berlin, www.biologie.hu-berlin.de
Course Advisory Service: Dr. Müller, Tel. +49 30/2093 98463, peter.mueller.3@rz.hu-berlin.de
Approval/classification (Examinations Office): Tina Rhode, Tel. +49 30/2093 46789, bachelor.biologie@hu-berlin.de
Applications: http://studium.hu-berlin.de/bewerbung, see also ‘Course catalogue’
Links to job market: careers information centre (http://www.arbeitsagentur.de/web/content/DE/BuergerinnenUndBuerger/ArbeitundBeruf/Berufswahl/Berufsinformationszentren/index.htm) , employment market reports (http://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de/Navigation/Statistik/Arbeitsmarktberichte/Akademiker/Akademiker-Nav.html), Federal Employment Office Berufenet (http://berufenet.arbeitsagentur.de/berufe/), Hochschulteam calenddar of events
Version: Juni 2024
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Contact for questions or feedback regarding this page: studienberatung@uv.hu-berlin.de