Biology

Biology

Were you always good at science subjects like math, chemistry, physics, and biology in school and are you considering pursuing a biology degree? Below, we'll give you a brief overview of the program, its scope, and the content covered to help you make your decision.

Study Structure

Biology, broadly speaking, deals with all existing life on Earth — plants, animals, and humans. It is the most popular and, arguably, the most diverse field of study in the natural sciences.

The aim of the course is to convey the topics, principles, theories, and methods of biology. The sub-areas of biology include:

Human Biology

Biochemistry

Ecology

Zoology

and Botany

with its different facets.

During your studies, you will primarily focus on the various subfields of biology, but you will also explore related scientific disciplines such as mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Therefore, you should not focus solely on biology, as it is inextricably linked to many other fields. This factor should definitely be considered when planning your studies.

The basic disciplines are usually part of the first semesters, as they provide an essential foundation for the subsequent modules. After that, you will also take courses in the individual biological disciplines mentioned above.

After completing your bachelor's degree, which has a standard period of study of six semesters (= three years), you also have the opportunity to specialize in a particular discipline. Examples of subsequent master's degree programs include:

Genetic Engineering

Ökologie

Bioinformatics

Cell biology

Evolutionary Biology

Marine Biology

Differences with Teacher Training

In the undergraduate program, the same content is usually taught as in the biology teacher training program. Later, the scope increases, because, of course, prospective teachers are not expected to have the same level of knowledge as fully qualified biologists. Full-fledged biologists therefore delve deeper into the subject matter, which makes the entire program somewhat more complex in terms of subject matter.

Often, internships are not required for student teachers, which are mandatory for full-time biologists. Depending on the study regulations, some biology content may be omitted for student teachers, which is generally not the case for full-time biologists.

In addition, the 'teaching students' include additional modules, such as pedagogy , which are of particular importance later on when dealing with students.

If you decide to study to become a teacher, you'll not only study one subject—in this case, biology—but also a second or even third . Many students combine biology with chemistry, mathematics, or physics, for example. Sometimes the university also specifies or suggests different subject combinations. It's always best to inquire and find out more at the relevant faculty or student council.

Another difference between a biology teaching degree and a full-time biology degree is, of course, the degree . While you can earn a bachelor's degree and later a master's degree (usually a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science) in a full-time biology degree program, you will usually have to pass the state examination to become a teacher. However, there are also universities where you can complete a teaching degree with a bachelor's and master's degree.

What awaits you after your studies?

After completing your teacher training program, your likely career path is, of course, clear: you'll go to school and work there as a teacher. During your studies, you can choose to train for either primary school, secondary school, or high school. Training for vocational schools and other types of schools is also possible.

If you choose to study biology without a teaching qualification, the subsequent job opportunities are diverse. After graduation, you can either stay at the university and work in research and development, or, of course, in teaching. Students who want to continue in teaching or research usually pursue their doctorate after completing their studies.

If that's not for you, you can of course also work in the private sector, i.e., in the services or management sectors of various companies, or even in science journalism. Your options are therefore very diverse.

Application Process

If you decide to study biology as a teacher, you should first check whether you meet the admission requirements. These are usually a general higher education entrance qualification, such as the Abitur (university entrance qualification) or another equivalent recognized qualification. However, this can vary depending on the university, so you should definitely check with the respective university.

Also pay attention to when the application period ends at each university. Universities usually have a central application portal where you can upload your application, along with all your certificates and other important documents, online. This not only saves you a lot of effort, but also saves paper and costs.

Full-time biology students generally begin their studies in the winter semester. Admission requirements include a general higher education entrance qualification (Abitur), a university of applied sciences entrance qualification, a master craftsman's certificate, or similar qualifications. Some universities require proof of a pre-study internship. It's best to check with the respective universities for more information.

The university's website usually has a page for each degree program that provides comprehensive information. This page lists all the necessary admission requirements and details, as is the case here at Freien Universität Berlin.

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