Life Sciences Biology

Biology remains at the center of the life sciences, which are considered the leading sciences of the 21st century. Biology is the study of living systems and integrates physical and chemical processes into a highly complex dynamic system that incorporates everything from the biochemistry of living cells to organs and organisms through to ecosystems.  

The degree program provides broad and fundamental orientation in the life sciences without becoming prematurely limited to specific aspects of their application. Building on the mathematical, physical and chemical fundamentals learned thus far, it provides an introduction to all relevant biological disciplines, as well as the methodological approaches and technological accomplishments in this field. In subsequent semesters an integrative approach is encouraged and, at the same time, students are able to develop their personal strengths in elective courses. You acquire the ability to analyze and abstract complex biological systems and relationships, as well as develop questions and approaches to finding solutions.

The degree program is intended to counteract premature specialization, so as to generate the all-rounder graduates of the future: They will be qualified to work on the widest range of research projects and, in the process, always incorporate the perspective of system analysis.  

The degree program in Biology, the core science concerning the molecular and systemic understanding of biological processes, trains specialists from both a research-oriented and applied perspective in the life sciences, where the discipline is the central driver of progress. With its wide-ranging approach to the observation of biological systems, the discipline constitutes the generative center of all essentially bioscientific lines of research, out of which new specialist fields and areas of application are continuously developed.

• Attendance times are equally split between theory and the corresponding practice.
• Semesters 1 and 2 convey the scientific fundamentals (mathematics, physics, chemistry) complemented by organismic biology, cell biology, and a module dealing with social aspects.
• Beginning in Semester 3, the biosciences dominate with microbiology and bioinformatics. Modules in the Semester 4 convey the systemic character of the life sciences, as well as advancing students’ knowledge of molecules and preparing them for independent scientific work.
• Beginning in Semesters 5 and 6, a broad range of electives enables students to create their individual profiles. At least 3 out of the 5 areas of specialization (genetics and biochemistry, microbiology, ecology, plant sciences, animal sciences) must be successfully completed. Semester 5 also serves as an optional mobility “window.”
• In Semester 6, the scientific presentation of a project constitutes the preparation for the bachelor’s thesis, with which the degree program concludes.

• Overview degree program structure
• Program Structure: Overview of modules
• Module Catalog

Required language skills for admission:

You need sufficient German language skills if you wish to apply for this program. Evidence of your language proficiency has to be submitted before the end of the application deadline. Learn more about recognized certificates and other ways to prove your German language skills.

This evidence of your language proficiency confirms that you comply with the minimum language requirements for admission to the program. Depending on the program and your individual background, it may be necessary for you to keep working on your language skills during your studies. Be sure to take a look at the services of our Language Center.

Language of instruction:

The language of instruction for this program is German. Some courses may, however, be taught in English. (German in semesters 1–4, German and currently English in the elective modules of semesters 5 and 6.)

As a graduate of the bachelor's degree program in Life Sciences Biology, you possess more specialized knowledge of the scientific fundamentals of chemistry (inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry), physics and mathematics. You are able to link this knowledge to bioscientific content and questions and analyze relationships on a broad range of scales. You can formulate concrete discipline-specific questions, assess a given experimental and methodological approach and apply it in the laboratory or outdoors, evaluate matters scientifically, and interpret the results. You think and operate in an interconnected and analytical manner, work with a view to finding solutions and purposefully apply your knowledge of methodologies. Thanks to the broad spectrum of electives, you possess  individual and interdisciplinary specialist knowledge. You will have learned to take a position on social and ethical questions in the life sciences.

Furthermore, the expertise you gain in theoretical modules allows you to solve concrete discipline-specific questions in practice in the laboratory. In this respect, your broad understanding of methodology and your advanced knowledge of cell biology, genetics, biochemistry and bioinformatics provides you with a sound basis. You can draw upon this when it comes to more complex questions concerning e.g. the physiology of plants, humans or animals; or to the systematic approach of ecology.

Graduates...

• have practical abilities in the field of biochemistry/bioanalytics, zoology, botanics, microbiology, and genetics.
• can apply the full range of scientific methods so as to abstract and analyze biological problems with reference to basic structures.
• are familiar with and understand determinative processes and feedback effects, from the genetic through the molecular and physiological to the organismic level.
• are familiar with the arsenal of practical methods in the biological sciences and can develop appropriate experimental approaches to the investigation of biological phenomena.

Employment in research projects in industry and in public research institutes, qualification resulting from traineeship, administrative role at specialist authorities, science journalism. Generally, however, the aim is to further one’s scientific career in the form of a master’s degree program and, at a later stage, often a doctoral degree at a domestic or foreign university. This then opens up a very broad spectrum and corresponding opportunities in managerial roles.

Admission requirements and the application procedure vary depending on the type of higher education entrance qualification you hold.

During the application period, you must apply through the TUMonline application portal and upload your application documents.

If you receive an offer of admission, you will additionally have to submit individual documents as notarized hardcopies by post to be enrolled.

Generally, applicants with an international higher education entrance qualification must have their documents reviewed in advance through uni-assist.

In detail:

• What are the steps of the application process?
• What admissions requirements do I need to fulfill? 
• Important information about your application from the TUM school or department

• Higher Education Entrance Qualification
• Proof of German Language Proficiency
• Letter of Motivation
• Complete and Current Résumé
• Passport
• if applicable: Proof of Internships or Professional Experience (optional)
• Preliminary Documentation (VPD) by uni-assist - for international applicants only

We may require additional documents depending on your educational background and your country of origin. Complete the online application to receive a comprehensive list of the required documents. 

• Application for Enrollment (signed)
• Higher Education Entrance Qualification (certified copy)
• Most Current Photo (as for ID)
• Student Health Insurance Certificate

We may require additional documents depending on the type of educational background you earned and your country of origin. After accepting an offer of admission in TUMonline, you will receive a list of documents you must submit to TUM in hardcopy for enrollment.

Application period for winter semester: 15.05. – 15.07.

Information about applying for a higher subject semester

During the application period, you must apply through the TUMonline application portal and upload your application documents. Please be aware that we can only process your application if you upload all required documents within the application period.

We will review your application as soon as it is complete. Please check your TUMonline account regularly, to see if we have any queries to your documents or if you have to amend one or more documents.

After receiving admission, you will see in TUMonline which documents you have to submit for enrollment, and in which form. Please note that you always have to send the signed application for enrollment and all notarized hardcopies by post.

We recommend that you submit the documents for enrollment as soon as possible after receiving admission. If individual documents are not available by then, you can submit them up to 5 weeks after the start of the lecture period. You will, however, only be enrolled once we have received all documents.

You can check the status of your application at any time in your TUMonline account.

• Aptitude Recommendation (SOV)
• Description of the Aptitude Recommendation (German) (PDF 199 KB)

The online application process takes place through our application portal TUMonline.