Biochemistry University of Bonn

All courses are held in English.

Modern life sciences bring new and unexpected insight into highly complex processes in cells, organs and organisms. But whatever the process is, it will have a molecular basis that will be revealed using biochemical methods. On the one hand, biochemistry is the basis of life sciences and linking chemistry, biology, physiology and biophysics. With a strong education in biochemistry, all fields of life sciences are open to you. On the other hand, as it is the study of the molecules of life, biochemistry is a fascinating subject on its own. Biochemistry covers both the analysis of biochemical systems and the reconstruction of biological systems by synthetic biochemistry with close relation to chemistry in a field that we call chemical biology.

In addition, modern biochemistry is inspired by technological breakthroughs:

• High resolution light microscopy allows tracing of single proteins and molecules in general.
• Latest high resolution mass spectrometers separate, identify and quantify minute amounts of biomolecules with extreme precision.
• New chemical methods allow labelling and tracing of biomolecules in single cells.
• Robotics enables handling large sample sets with unprecedented speed and precision.

Biochemistry is the basis of life sciences and a fascinating subject linking chemistry, biology, physiology and biophysics.

Building on a century of state-of-the-art biochemical research in Germany, our Master's course of study in Biochemistry offers theoretical and practical education in the major fields of biochemistry in lecture series, a method-oriented course and lab rotations at LIMES and related laboratories in Bonn. You can learn in depth about chemical biology of nucleic acids, about lipids, lipidomics and metabolomics, about membrane protein biophysics and about the biochemical basis of neurophysiology. You will use state-of-the-art instrumentation and methods and will be supervised by experienced and internationally renowned scientists. And last but not least, the course offers bridges to the strong research environment both at the LIMES itself with its strong focus on immunology and metabolism and to the other science institutions in Bonn.

30 April for non-EU applicants
30 June for EU applicants

The Master's programme comprises lectures, practical courses, workshops, excursions and independent research projects. It is an interdisciplinary hands-on training programme that prepares students to solve scientific problems independently.

Lectures

• Cellular biochemistry
• Biophysics
• Chemical biology
• Physiology
• Methods in life sciences and statistics
• Introduction in experimental animals and bioethics
• Good scientific practice

Additionally, the Master's programme starts with two elective lectures. These lectures provide a detailed overview of a particular field and are intended to give the students the opportunity to overcome a lack of basic knowledge in that field. Elective lectures are not graded. Students should attend at least two of the following lectures:

• Biochemistry and organic chemistry
• Cell biology and immunology
• Genetics and molecular biology
• Inorganic chemistry and physical chemistry

Method Courses

All students participate in two introductory methods courses. In these practical courses, students are able to learn and become familiarised with fundamental techniques applied in current research. The methods courses comprise a few weeks of experimental work in total.

Lab Rotations

Every student conducts two individual research projects (lab rotations), which each involve seven weeks of experimental work, followed by one week of data analysis and a written lab report in the format of a scientific research publication. Lab rotations can be performed in the LIMES Institute, in partner institutions (German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Center of Advanced European Studies and Research or Bayer Pharma) or in any another university in Germany or abroad.

Biochemistry Oral Examination

This oral examination will cover all topics from the lectures in cellular biochemistry, biophysics, chemical biology and physiology. Such an examination gives the students the opportunity to demonstrate a broad understanding of the different subjects and the ability to recognise interdisciplinary correlations between different topics.

Master's Thesis

The Master's programme is completed by a six-month Master's thesis, which is to be carried out in the research groups of the LIMES institute, in partner institutions (German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Center of Advanced European Studies and Research or Bayer Pharma) or at another university in Germany or abroad. The thesis project involves experimental work under the supervision of a faculty member of the Master's programme.

Students can perform lab rotations or complete the Master's thesis at other universities in Germany or abroad.

No tuition fees

The University of Bonn is a public university, meaning that it does not charge tuition fees. However, all students must pay the so-called social contribution (= semester fee) of about 330 EUR per semester. It includes among other things a student transit pass for public transport and a statutory accident insurance.

The cost of living for students in Bonn is around 870 EUR to 1,100 EUR, with rent accounting for the largest share.

Admission requirements
1. Bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 2.5 (German grading system) in

• Molecular Biomedicine
• Chemistry
• Biology
• Biotechnology
• Molecular life sciences
• Pharmacy
• or related fields

2. Additionally, applicants must have conducted an experimental Bachelor's thesis.

3. In their previous Bachelor’s studies, applicants should have passed a minimum of three modules (equivalent to at least 30 ECTS credit points in total) in the following areas:

• Chemical Biology
• Developmental Biology
• Immunology
• Genetics
• Biochemistry

4. All courses are held in English. Applicants who are not native speakers of English should demonstrate adequate competence of the English language by acceptable results on an internationally recognised test. See the "Language requirements" section for more information on accepted certificates.

Applicants who are not native speakers of English should demonstrate adequate competence of the English language by acceptable results on an internationally recognised test. Minimum language requirements are met by achieving the following test scores:

• TOEFL paper-based test: 550
• TOEFL computer-based test: 213
• TOEFL Internet-based test: 87-109
• IELTS: 6.0

In addition, the certificates APIEL and CPE meet the requirements of English proficiency. Applicants who took English courses at a German "Gymnasium" until their final examinations ("Abitur") or who wrote a Bachelor's thesis in English do not need the above-mentioned tests.

30 April for non-EU applicants
30 June for EU applicants

No

Students of the University of Bonn can apply for a room in a dormitory of the "Studierendenwerk Bonn" (further information: https://www.studierendenwerk-bonn.de/en/accommodation/). 

For further information on housing in Bonn, please visit our website: www.uni-bonn.de/en/university/university-life/living-in-bonn.

The University of Bonn has a central Career Service, which provides advice and support about choosing a career and applying for jobs. Moreover, international students can join the iStart career programme, which teaches participants tangible knowledge and valuable skills that will enable them to write successful applications for jobs in Germany. The programme is geared toward giving students a successful career path both during and after their studies, thus making it easier for them to enter the job market.