FAQ Students of the Biotechnology B.Sc. Degree Programme
- For successful studies, you should definitely read your Examination Regulations carefully. The Annexes to the Examination Regulations in particular contain important information.
- Initial information on signing up for practical trainings, the practical semester and the final thesis can be found on the page All About Studies.
- The study plan provides an overview of the courses taking place in the individual semesters.
- You will find the dates of the courses in the course catalogue.
- The module handbooks describe the individual courses. You can use these to get preliminary information; they are often needed when changing universities.
- Would you like to see what it's like here? Then please take the virtual tour of Campus Jülich.
Answers to Many Questions
Below, you will find a collection of the most frequently asked questions about the course of studies. These are sorted by topic. All statements refer to the current Examination Regulations 07.2023. If you are still studying under older Examination Regulations, please refer to the requirements of these Examination Regulations. If you have any questions, please contact Subject-Specific Academic Counselling (Fachstudienberatung).
We do not assume any liability for the information provided. The content of your Examination Regulations is always binding.
Examinations in the Biotechnology B.Sc. Degree Programme
Welche Voraussetzungen müssen für eine Prüfungsanmeldung erfüllt sein (Prüfungsordnung 2024)?
- For modules with practical training in addition to the lecture, proof of participation in the practical training must be provided in order to be admitted to the examination.
- For admission to examinations in the 3rd semester, at least 35 credit points from the 1st and 2nd semester must be presented.
- For examinations in the 4th semester (modules 4.1 - 4.5), at least 45 credit points from core studies must have been achieved in advance and the examinations of the modules "1.1 Mathematics 1" and "1.2 Physics 1" must have been successfully passed.
- For examinations in the 5th semester (modules 5.1 - 5.4), at least 60 credit points from core studies must have been achieved in advance and the examinations of the modules "1.1 Mathematics 1", "2.1 Mathematics 2", "1.2 Physics 1" and "2.2 Physics 2" must have been passed successfully.
- Before registering for the third attempt of an examination that has not been passed so far, proof of participation in an individual consultation by the examiner must be provided.
Which Requirements Must Be Fulfilled for an Examination Registration?
- For modules with practical training in addition to the lecture, proof of participation in the practical training must be provided in order to be admitted to the examination.
- For admission to examinations in the 3rd semester, at least 35 credit points from the 1st and 2nd semester must be presented.
- For examinations in the 4th semester (modules 4.1 - 4.5), at least 45 credit points from core studies must have been achieved in advance and the examinations of the modules "1.1 Mathematics 1" and "1.2 Physics 1" must have been successfully passed.
- For examinations in the 5th semester (modules 5.1 - 5.4), at least 60 credit points from core studies must have been achieved in advance and the examinations of the modules "1.1 Mathematics 1", "2.1 Mathematics 2", "1.2 Physics 1" and "2.2 Physics 2" must have been passed successfully.
- Before registering for the third attempt of an examination that has not been passed so far, proof of participation in an individual consultation by the examiner must be provided.
How Many Times May Examinations Be Repeated?
An examination can be taken once and repeated twice. In total, the same examination can therefore be written 3 times. Before the third attempt, a consultation appointment with the examiner must take place and be certified by the examiner.
If the third attempt has also not been passed, a supplementary oral examination can be applied for at the Faculty's Examination Board within four weeks.
Can I Try to Improve My Exam Grade?
If the examination is passed, one attempt at improvement is possible. Improvement attempts can be made a total of three times, but only once per examination. Furthermore, the improvement attempt must be made within three examination periods.
If an improvement attempt has been made, the better of the two exam grades will always be taken into account.
Practical Trainings in the Biotechnology B.Sc. Degree Programme
Welche Voraussetzungen müssen erfüllt sein (Prüfungsordnung 2024)?
1. und 2. Semester
- You must be registered no later than 1 week before the regular start of lectures.
- In the module "Chemistry for Biotechnologists", a written performance record (safety test) has to be provided.
- In the subject "Organic Chemistry 2", a written safety test has to be passed.
- In the module "Study Competences", a performance record must be provided.
4. Semester
For the participation in the
- Practical Course Instrumental Analytics
the following requirements must be fulfilled
- Proof of at least 45 credit points from the core studies by the deadline(*).
For participation in the modules
- 4.1 Environmental Biotechnology
- 4.2 Bioinformatics and Molecular Cell Biology
- 4.3 Cell Culture Technology
- 4.4 Genetic Engineering
- 4.5 Microbial Fermentation
the following prerequisites must be fulfilled
- Proof of at least 45 credit points from core studies by the deadline(*).
- Proof of the successful completion of the examinations of the modules "1.1 Mathematics 1" and "1.2 Physics 1" must be provided by the deadline(*).
(*) The deadline for practical trainings in the summer semester is 30.11. of the previous year, for practical trainings in the winter semester 31.05. of the current year.
5. Semester
For participation in the modules
- 5.1 Enzyme Technology
- 5.2 Special Microbiology
- 5.3 Downstream Processing
- 5.4 Immunology and Virology
the following prerequisites must be fulfilled
- Proof of at least 60 credit points from core studies by the deadline(*).
- Proof of successful completion of the examinations of the modules "1.1 Mathematics 1", "2.1 Mathematics 2", "1.2 Physics 1" and "2.2 Physics 2" must be submitted by the deadline(*).
(*) The deadline for practical trainings in the summer semester is 30.11. of the previous year, and for practical trainings in the winter semester 31.05. of the current year.
Welche Voraussetzungen müssen erfüllt sein (Prüfungsordnung 2023)?
1st and 2nd Semester
- You must be registered no later than 1 week before the regular start of lectures.
- In the module "Chemistry for Biotechnologists", a written performance record (safety test) has to be provided.
- In the subject "Organic Chemistry 2", a written safety test has to be passed.
- In the module "Study Competences", a performance record must be provided.
4th Semester
For the participation in the
- Practical Course Instrumental Analytics
the following requirements must be fulfilled
- Proof of at least 45 credit points from the core studies by the deadline(*).
For participation in the modules
- 4.1 Environmental Biotechnology
- 4.2 Bioinformatics and Molecular Cell Biology
- 4.3 Cell Culture Technology
- 4.4 Genetic Engineering
- 4.5 Microbial Fermentation
the following prerequisites must be fulfilled
- Proof of at least 45 credit points from core studies by the deadline(*).
- Proof of the successful completion of the examinations of the modules "1.1 Mathematics 1" and "1.2 Physics 1" must be provided by the deadline(*).
(*) The deadline for practical trainings in the summer semester is 30.11. of the previous year, for practical trainings in the winter semester 31.05. of the current year.
5th Semester
For participation in the modules
- 5.1 Enzyme Technology
- 5.2 Special Microbiology
- 5.3 Downstream Processing
- 5.4 Immunology and Virology
the following prerequisites must be fulfilled
- Proof of at least 60 credit points from core studies by the deadline(*).
- Proof of successful completion of the examinations of the modules "1.1 Mathematics 1", "2.1 Mathematics 2", "1.2 Physics 1" and "2.2 Physics 2" must be submitted by the deadline(*).
(*) The deadline for practical trainings in the summer semester is 30.11. of the previous year, and for practical trainings in the winter semester 31.05. of the current year.
Practical Semester and Final Thesis
How Will the Final Semester of the Bachelor’s Degree Proceed?
The last semester comprises the practical project, the Bachelor's thesis and the colloquium. The practical project is assessed with 15 credit points and usually lasts 10-12 weeks. This is followed by the written elaboration, usually referred to as the Bachelor's thesis. This must be submitted to the Examination Office within a minimum of 6, and a maximum of 9, weeks after registration of the Bachelor's thesis. The thesis is assessed by the supervisor and is included in the assessment with 12 credit points. After submission of the thesis, the colloquium takes place, usually in the form of a lecture on the Bachelor's thesis followed by a scientific discussion of the topic. The colloquium is assessed with 3 credit points.
How Do I Get a Research Project for My Practical Semester or Practical Project?
It is the students' responsibility to look for a practical semester or a practical project. You should apply early, the process can take a long time and, often, there is no feedback. The work can be done both in industry and at university. In both cases, you will need to contact a supervising professor who will monitor and assess the work. It therefore makes sense to think about your subject orientation early on and contact the relevant teachers.
The working groups at our faculty also always offer interesting work. In-House Jobs for Students.
Which Requirements Must Be Met in Order to Register for a Practical Semester?
- You must be studying in a degree programme with practical semester.
- Application for admission to the practical semester must be made to the Examination Board. Only those can be admitted who can present successfully completed examinations totalling at least 120 credit points, and have successfully completed all examinations of core studies as well as all practical trainings of the degree programme.
Which Requirements Must Be Met in Order to Register for the Practical Project and the Bachelor's Thesis?
- Admission to the practical project must be applied for to the Examination Board. Only those can be admitted who have achieved 120 examination credit points from the first five regular semesters. In addition, all examinations of core studies as well as all practical trainings of the degree programme must have been successfully completed. In the Bachelor's degree programme with practical semester or semester abroad, proof of the successful completion of the practical semester or mobility semester must also be provided.
- Admission to the Bachelor's thesis must be applied for to the Examination Board. Only those can be admitted who have passed all examinations except for one examination of specialisation studies and can provide proof of a total of 15 credit points for General Competences.
- Those who have achieved all examination credits of the degree programme and have successfully completed the practical project and the Bachelor's thesis as well as, in the degree programme with a practical semester or semester abroad, the practical semester or mobility semester, shall be admitted to the colloquium upon application. Further details are regulated in § 31 RPO. The colloquium should take place within two months after submission of the Bachelor's thesis.