BSc in Chemistry and Biotechnology
Constructor University Undergraduate Programs
Key Information
Campus location
Bremen, Germany
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
3 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
EUR 20,000 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
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* additional fees apply
Introduction
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.
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 the 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.
Career Opportunities
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.
Study with best employability and career perspectives in industry, research or to proceed further master and Ph.D. studies:
Career opportunities for CBT students are diverse and abundant. In general, the combination of chemistry and biotechnology increases employability, since biotechnological applications in the chemical industry are increasingly important. Sustainability and environmental protection are topics of ever-increasing importance in society and industry. In research and development, career opportunities cover the areas of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, fuels, nanotechnology, materials, and energy to environmental monitoring and forensic science.
The educational concept of Constructor University aims at fostering employability which refers to skills, capacities, and competencies that transcend disciplinary knowledge and allow graduates to quickly adapt to professional contexts. Constructor University defines employability as encompassing; i.e. it focuses not only on technical skills and understanding but also on personal attributes, competencies, and qualities that enable students to become responsible members of their professional and academic fields as well as of the societies they live in.
Career services center
Today’s business world requires disciplinary knowledge from graduates as well as the ability to apply this knowledge. Career-related services at Constructor University provide information, counseling and training, networks, and events. Constructor University’s students participate in training on project management, business communication, job interview skills, and more. Digital job and internship portfolios help students to prepare for their careers.
Alumni association
Studying at Constructor University gives you connections – often for your whole life.
The Alumni Association E.V. was founded in 2004 by the first generation of graduates. Since then, around 4,500 students have obtained their degrees from this University.
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Curriculum
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.
Throughout this 3-year full-time program taught in English, students will learn how to analyze and interpret large data sets, design, and develop software applications, and solve complex problems using data-driven approaches. Students will also gain a strong foundation in computer science, programming, and related disciplines such as mathematics and statistics.
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.
Study program structure
Year 1
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 from the CHOICE area of various study programs, with 15-30 credit points 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 credit points)
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 credit points)
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 credit points)
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 credit points)
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.
Year 2
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 credit points)
- CORE Module: Industrial Biotechnology (5 credit points)
- CORE Module: Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (5 credit points)
- CORE Module: Scientific Software and Databanks (5 credit points)
- CORE Module: Advanced Organic/Analytical Chemistry Lab (5 credit points)
- CORE Module: Advanced Organic Chemistry (5 credit points)
- CORE Module: Bioprocess Engineering (5 credit points)
- CORE Module: Advanced Biotechnology Lab (5 credit points)
- CORE Module: Inorganic/Physical Chemistry Lab (5 credit points)
Year 3
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 credit points)
- Specialization: Organometallic Chemistry (5 credit points)
- Specialization: Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology (5 credit points)
- Specialization: Chemical and Pharmaceutical Technology (5 credit points)
- CORE MCCB: Medicinal Chemistry (5 credit points)
- CORE EES: Environmental Science (7.5 credit points)*
*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 credit points per semester.
Constructor University Track
The Constructor University Track, an important feature of Constructor University’s educational concept, runs parallel to the disciplinary modules across all study years and is an integral part of the study program. It reflects a university-wide commitment to in-depth training in scientific methods, fosters an interdisciplinary approach, raises awareness of global challenges and societal responsibility, enhances employability, and equips students with extra skills desirable in the general field of study. Additionally, it integrates (German) language and culture modules.
Methods and Skills modules
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 and Skills area modules. Students are required to take 20 credit points in the Methods/Skills area.
CBT students take the following Methods modules:
- Methods Module: Mathematical Concepts for the Sciences (5 credit points)
- Methods Module: Physics for the Natural Sciences (5 credit points)
- Methods Module: Analytical Methods (5 credit points)
- Methods Module: Plant Metabolites and Natural Products (5 credit points)
The module Plant Metabolites and Natural Products can be replaced with a CORE module from another study program in order to pursue a minor.
Big Questions modules
The modules of the Big Questions area intend to broaden the students’ horizons with applied problem-solving between and beyond the disciplines. The offerings comprise problem-solving-oriented modules that tackle global challenges from the perspectives of different disciplinary backgrounds and that allow, in particular, a reflection of the acquired disciplinary knowledge in economic, societal, technological, and/or ecological contexts.
CBT students take BQ Module Ethics in the Sciences and Technology (5 credit points) as a mandatory Big Questions module and select 1-2 modules (5 credit points) from a broad portfolio of Big Questions modules.
Community Impact Project
In their 5th semester, students must take a 5 credit points Community Impact Project (CIP) module. Students engage in on-campus or off-campus activities that challenge their social responsibility, i.e., they typically work on major-related projects that make a difference in the community life on campus, in its neighborhood, in Bremen, or on a cross-regional level.
Language modules
Constructor University supports its students in acquiring and improving these skills by offering a variety of language modules at all proficiency levels. Emphasis is put on fostering the German language skills of international students as they are an essential prerequisite for non-native-speaking students to learn about, explore, and eventually integrate into their host country and its professional environment.
All students take four language courses in the first and second years.
Study Abroad Option
Students can study abroad for a semester to extend their knowledge and abilities, broaden their horizons and reflect on their values and behavior in a different context and their role in a global society. For a semester abroad (usually the fifth semester), modules related to the major with a workload equivalent to 22.5 credit points must be completed. Modules recognized as study abroad credit points must be pre-approved according to Constructor University study abroad procedures. Several exchange programs allow students to enroll at prestigious partner institutions worldwide directly. Constructor University’s participation in Erasmus+, the European Union’s exchange program, provides an exchange semester at some European universities that include Erasmus study-abroad funding.
Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Scholarships and Funding
Education is a substantial investment in your future, at Constructor University we strive to make it an affordable reality for students from across the world. Therefore, we offer students personalized financing offers to help cover their tuition fees. They consist of one or more types of financial support in the form of scholarships and/or grants and tuition deferrals. You only start repaying the deferred tuition fees once you successfully entered the job market. That way you can focus completely on your studies. We are convinced that a Constructor University education will form the perfect foundation for your future career – that is why we are happy to invest in you.
Scholarships
- All students are considered for an academic achievement scholarship based on their school grade point average (GPA). EU and EFTA students are eligible for a minimum guaranteed scholarship of € 4.000.
Academic Achievement Scholarships (per academic year)
€ 4.000 (Minimum guaranteed amount for EU and EFTA students)
€ 6.000
€ 8.000 (Maximum scholarship amount irrespective of nationality) - The number of these scholarships is not limited and no separate application is required.
- Students are informed about their scholarship amount immediately following admission.
Tuition Deferral Program
In cooperation with our partner Brain Capital
- Deferral of tuition fees is calculated automatically and available to you shortly after admission.
- You decide whether you want to take advantage of this personalized financing option.
- Granted independently of your financial situation.
- Flexible repayment plan based on your future income and personal circumstances.
Apply for need-based aid
In addition to our academic achievement scholarships and our tuition deferral program, students can apply for our personalized, need-based financial aid program.
- The amount of the grant (need-based discount) is determined based on your and your family’s financial situation
- The amount of the grant does not need to be repaid.
Our Student Financial Services team is happy to assist you!
External financing options
These scholarships are not administered by Constructor University Bremen. For further information about the requirements and the application process, please contact the appropriate institution directly.
External Scholarships and Stipends
- We have compiled a list of German foundations that offer scholarships and stipends to national and international students: listing of External Scholarships and Stipends
- DAAD Scholarship Database
- MyStipendium.de: Search engine to help you find the stipend which matches your profile
- Elternkompass: Beratung und Hilfe bei der Suche nach einem geeigneten Stipendium (German students only!)
- MLP Stipendienprogramm – für MINT-Studenten ab dem 3. Fachsemester
Student Loans
- BAföG: Grants and student loans given to German students based on their family’s financial situation.
- KfW-Studienkredit: The student loan of the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) is the most popular student loan among our German students.
- studienkredit.de: Here you will find more information regarding educational loans in Germany.