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chemistry_and_biotechnology

Chemistry and Biotechnology

Chemistry and Biotechnology
Bachelor of Science - Undergraduate program
Program

Chemistry and Biotechnology (CBT) is a transdisciplinary field that combines the scientific principles of chemistry and biology to solve real-world problems. The program focuses on the composition, structure, behavior, and transformations of elements, compounds, molecules, and ions and how they can be applied in biotechnology. The biotechnology component of the program teaches students how to use biocatalysts and biomolecules to create a more sustainable future, along with the principles of biorefining and the circular economy.

The study program includes organic, inorganic, analytical, and physical chemistry modules, as well as relevant mathematics, engineering, and industrial practice. By completing this program, students will gain a strong understanding of the molecular approach and the commercial importance of chemistry and biotechnology.

Graduates of the Chemistry and Biotechnology degree program will be equipped with the knowledge, research skills, and problem-solving abilities necessary for a successful career in chemistry and/or biotechnology and for pursuing advanced studies at the Master's or Ph.D. level.

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Interested in the program?
Why study at Constructor University
International experience
Train your intercultural skills by studying with talents from more than 100 countries and excellent study abroad options.
Top rankings
Benefit from highest standards in teaching, interdisciplinary learning, early research involvement, and hands-on education.
Global career
Connect with Alumni to broaden your professional network & start your career with our individual career service support.
Key facts
Place:
Constructor University, Bremen, Germany
Tuition:
€ 20,000 per academic year (two semesters) + € 8,000 on-campus room and board (double room, shared bathroom, full meal plan)
Fall intake 2024:
Apply by June 1st 2024 (visa) or July 15th 2024 (no visa)​
Check-in days August 26th – 29th (orientation week), start first week of September (classes)
Duration:
3 years full-time
Financing options:
Each admitted candidate will receive an individual financial package.
Scholarships:
All students are considered for an academic achievement scholarship based on their school grade point average (GPA).
EU students are eligible for a minimum guaranteed scholarship of € 4.000.
Ready for your future?
4C Model

The undergraduate program at Constructor University is a three-year, 180-credit-point program designed to prepare students for a wide range of career paths.

The “4C Model” is the program's backbone, with disciplinary content grouped into three themes according to study years: CHOICE-CORE-CAREER. Additionally, the “CONSTRUCTOR Track”, an integral part of the program, runs parallel throughout the program. It provides students with multidisciplinary content and essential skills such as argumentation, data visualization, societal engagement, and communication.

The curriculum allows students to tailor their education to their goals and to explore different fields of study, with the flexibility to change their major within the first year. Moreover, the programs include a mandatory internship and a study-abroad opportunity in the fifth semester to provide students with hands-on experience and a global perspective.

 

4C Curriculum
Study program structure

The first year of the CBT study program is dedicated to building on and expanding students' previous qualifications through disciplinary education. Students have the opportunity to select introductory modules totaling 45 credit points (CP) from the CHOICE area of various study programs, with 15-30 CP being from their chosen major. If they wish to change their major, they can do so at the start of the second year of studies if they have completed the corresponding modules of their intended study program in the first year.

In the first year of study, CBT students are required to take the following discipline-specific CHOICE modules:

  • CHOICE Module: General Biochemistry (7.5 CP)
    Students gain a comprehensive understanding of biochemistry and learn how to apply and analyze basic biochemistry concepts through hands-on laboratory work.
  • CHOICE Module: General and Inorganic Chemistry (7.5 CP)
    Students are introduced to general and inorganic chemistry, covering topics such as chemical foundations, types of chemical reactions, bonding, acid-base equilibria, and laboratory techniques.
  • CHOICE Module: Introduction to Biotechnology (7.5 CP)
    Students learn about the fundamentals of microbiology, focusing on cell structure, genetics, molecular biology, and genetic engineering. The module also includes an introduction to metabolism, enzymes, and metabolic engineering.
  • CHOICE Module: General Organic Chemistry (7.5 CP)
    Students are introduced to organic chemistry, including general reactivity patterns, resonance, conjugation, and aromaticity. The module covers topics such as carbonyl additions, conformational analysis, stereochemistry, substitution, elimination, and addition reactions.

In their second year, students enrolled in the CBT program must take 45 credit points for in-depth, discipline-specific CORE modules. These modules aim to deepen the student's understanding of the current state of knowledge and best practices in their major and help them critically evaluate key theories, principles, and methods.

The following 45 credit points of CORE modules must be completed by CBT students:

  • CORE Module: Physical Chemistry (5 CP)
  • CORE Module: Industrial Biotechnology (5 CP)
  • CORE Module: Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (5 CP)
  • CORE Module: Scientific Software and Databanks (5 CP)
  • CORE Module: Advanced Organic/Analytical Chemistry Lab (5 CP)
  • CORE Module: Advanced Organic Chemistry (5 CP)
  • CORE Module: Bioprocess Engineering (5 CP)
  • CORE Module: Advanced Biotechnology Lab (5 CP)
  • CORE Module: Inorganic/Physical Chemistry Lab (5 CP)

Minor Option

In addition to the required CORE modules, CBT students have the opportunity to pursue a minor in another field of study by taking mandatory CHOICE modules (15 CP) in the first year and replacing the mandatory elective CBT CORE modules "Scientific Software and Databases" and “Advanced Biotechnology Lab” and the mandatory elective METHODS module “Plant Metabolism and Natural Products” in the second year (15 CP in total) with the CORE or Specialization modules from the desired minor program.

The “Advanced Biotechnology Lab” must be completed in the third year for students pursuing the minor option. This minor will be highlighted in their transcripts and provide them with a broader knowledge base and interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving, as well as help them develop an individual academic and professional profile that aligns with their strengths and interests.

As they enter their third year, CBT students embark on a crucial stage in their academic journey, where they begin to prepare for their post-graduation careers. Students participate in a mandatory summer internship program to broaden their horizons and gain valuable hands-on experience. The third year also offers students the opportunity to deepen their knowledge in their chosen field by selecting specialized modules while encouraging them to consider the larger responsibilities they will assume beyond their specific discipline.

The fifth semester provides CBT students with a window of opportunity to broaden their cultural and academic perspectives through diverse study-abroad options. Finally, in the sixth semester, students can further develop their research skills by completing a comprehensive Bachelor thesis project.

In order to further their expertise, CBT students are able to choose from four of the following specialized modules:

  • Specialization: Advanced Organic Synthesis (from MCCB) (5 CP)
  • Specialization: Organometallic Chemistry (5 CP)
  • Specialization: Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology (5 CP)
  • Specialization: Chemical and Pharmaceutical Technology (5 CP)
  • CORE MCCB: Medicinal Chemistry (5 CP)
  • CORE EES: Environmental Science (7.5 CP)*

*Please note that due to the size of the Environmental Science module, students who choose to take this module may exceed the typical workload of 30 CP per semester.

The CONSTRUCTOR Track is another important feature of Constructor University’s educational model. The Constructor Track runs orthogonal to the disciplinary CHOICE, CORE, and CAREER modules across all study years and is an integral part of all undergraduate study programs. It provides an intellectual tool kit for lifelong learning and encourages the use of diverse methodologies to approach cross-disciplinary problems. The CONSTRUCTOR track contains Methods, New Skills and German Language and Humanities modules.

Methods
Methods and skills such as mathematics, statistics, programming, data handling, presentation skills, academic writing, and scientific and experimental skills are offered to all students as part of the Methods area in their curriculum. The modules that are specifically assigned to each study programs equip students with transferable academic skills. They convey and practice specific methods that are indispensable for each students’ chosen study program. Students are required to take 20 CP in the Methods area. The size of all Methods modules is 5 CP.

To pursue CBT as a major, the following Methods modules (20 CP) need to be taken as mandatory modules:

  • Methods Module: Mathematical Concepts for the Sciences (m, 5 CP)
  • Methods Module: Physics for the Natural Sciences (m, 5 CP)
  • Methods Module: Analytical Methods (m, 5 CP)
  • Methods Module: Plant Metabolites and Natural Products (m, 5 CP)

New Skills Modules
This part of the curriculum constitutes an intellectual and conceptual tool kit that cultivates the capacity for a particular set of intellectual dispositions including curiosity, imagination, critical thought, and transferability. It nurtures a range of individual and societal capacities, such as self-reflection, argumentation, and communication. Finally, it introduces students to the normative aspects of inquiry and research, including the norms governing sourcing, sharing, withholding materials and research results as well as others governing the responsibilities of expertise as well as the professional point of view. Students in this study program are required to take the following modules in their second and third year:

  • New Skills Module: Logic (m, 2.5 CP)
  • New Skills Module: Causation and Correlation (m, 2.5 CP)
  • New Skills Module: Argumentation, Data Visualization and Communication (m, 5 CP)

Furthermore, they must choose either

  • New Skills Module: Linear Model/Matrices (me, 5 CP) or
  • New Skills Module: Complex Problem Solving (me, 5 CP)

as well one of the following modules:

  • New Skills Module: Agency, Leadership and Accountability (me, 5 CP) or
  • New Skills Module: Community Impact Project (me, 5 CP).

German Language and Humanities Modules
German language abilities foster students’ intercultural awareness and enhance their employability in their host country. They are also beneficial for securing mandatory internships (between the 2nd and 3rd year) in German companies and academic institutions. Constructor University supports its students in acquiring basic as well as advanced German skills in the first year of the Constructor Track. Non-native speakers of German are encouraged to take 2 German modules (2.5 CP each), but are not obliged to do so. Native speakers and other students not taking advantage of this offering take alternative modules in Humanities in each of the first two semesters.

The curriculum of the study program is outlined in the schematic study plan:

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CBT study scheme fall 2023
Study program handbook Fall 2023 - Chemistry and Biotechnology
Study program handbook Fall 2022 - Chemistry and Biotechnology
Study program handbook Fall 2021 - Chemistry and Biotechnology
Students
Career perspectives

Graduates of the CBT program have a wide range of career opportunities. The unique blend of chemistry and biotechnology knowledge that they possess makes them highly employable in a variety of industries. In particular, the growing importance of biotechnological applications in the chemical sector provides ample employment prospects for CBT graduates. With their well-rounded skill set and practical experience, they are poised to make a significant impact in the field.

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Do you have any questions or need consultation?

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Call us or write us – we are happy to help you with your inquiry.

Phone: 0421 200 4200
Email: study@constructor.university

Undergraduate FAQ

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Chemistry student society

The Constructor Chemistry Student Society is a dynamic community established by current and former Chemistry undergraduate students at Constructor University. This society aims to bring together individuals who share a passion for Chemistry and create a unified platform for them to connect and engage with each other.

Some of the key objectives of this society include:

  • Fostering communication and collaboration between students and faculty members
  • Building strong bonds between all Chemistry students, from Bachelor's to Ph.D. levels
  • Enhancing the undergraduate Chemistry program for future generations of students
  • Providing a supportive network for students of Chemistry and related majors
  • Encouraging a sense of community by organizing collective events in collaboration with other campus societies.

Through its efforts, the Constructor Chemistry Student Society plays a crucial role in promoting the advancement of Chemistry at Constructor University and fostering a thriving community of learners.

Students
Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker (GDCh)

As students of a German university, Constructor students have the unique privilege of being able to join Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker (GDCh), the German Society of Chemists. Membership in GDCh offers numerous benefits, including access to internships, scholarships, events, and other opportunities to further their academic and professional development.

Additionally, as members of GDCh, Constructor students are encouraged to participate in the monthly meetings of the society, held at the University of Bremen. These meetings provide a forum for members to connect with other individuals in their field, exchange ideas, and collaborate on projects.

Joining GDCh is a valuable opportunity for Constructor students who are looking to expand their network, enhance their education and career prospects, and stay connected with the latest developments in the field of Chemistry.

Students & alumni
Megi Mustafai
The professors are knowledgeable and eager to help, and the practical work made all the science tangible.
Megi Mustafai
Lisa Tichagwa
"The scholarship shows me that I made the right decision."
As an exceptionally gifted student, Lisa received the August Wilhelm von Hofmann scholarship from the German Chemical Society (GDCh).
Lisa Tichagwa
School of Science

This study program is part of the School of Science.

The School of Science focuses on multidisciplinary research and teaching to enhance the quality of life, health, and longevity through science and technology. Different approaches are used to study novel bioactive substances and functional materials at the molecular and nanoscale as well as to advance quantum technologies and exploit resources and energy in a sustainable manner.

Key disciplines in the school include Mathematics, Physics, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Cell Biology, Chemistry, and Earth Sciences.

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Global Community
Life on campus

Become part of a global community

Constructor University Students come from all over the world to live and learn at Constructor University. Our student body represents 110 nations. They form an ambitious campus community whose internationality is unprecedented in Europe. Constructor University’s green and tree-shaded 80-acre campus provides much more than buildings for teaching and research.

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