The bachelor’s program is divided into a basic and orientation phase of two semesters and a bachelor’s phase of four semesters. The program consists of so-called compulsory modules, compulsory elective modules, elective modules and the bachelor thesis.

Foundation and orientation phase: 1st -2nd semester

In the first two semesters, students acquire competencies in basic subjects such as mathematics, chemistry and physics. At the end of the second semester, a Fundamentals and Orientation Examination (GOP) must be completed. The GOP comprises the following six modules worth 40 ECTS credits:

• Mathematics 1
• General and Inorganic Chemistry
• Experimental physics
• Microbiology
• Bioanalytics
• Bioprocess technology with advanced seminar

The GOP is passed if 30 ECTS points of it have been acquired.

Bachelor phase: 3rd – 6th semester

In the subsequent bachelor phase, the diverse aspects of life science engineering are taught in particular in the modules Biotechnology 1-4, Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer, Mechanical Process Engineering, Thermofluid Dynamics of Biotechnology and Bioseparation. The bachelor phase consists of further compulsory modules, two elective modules, one elective module and the bachelor thesis with presentation.

The elective modules can be chosen from a catalog (e.g. genetic engineering, immunology, organ function and technology, reaction engineering, bioprocess automation, and many more).

Graduates receive the basic knowledge required to manage process engineering with a medical-biotechnological background.

Brief overview: Course structure

1st -2nd semester: Basic and orientation phase with scientific and engineering fundamentals

3rd-5th semester: subject-specific basics, university internships, elective subjects, elective subject

6th semester: Bachelor thesis with presentation, degree: Bachelor of Science

• Interest in learning about the world and its mathematical and physical relationships
• Interest in biology and chemistry
• Interest in solving engineering problems
• Interest in working in a team
• Ability to work independently (self-organization)
• Enjoyment of scientific experimentation

Potential professional activities are the design of production processes and of products that serve human health. This includes, among other things, the development of functional foods, new drugs, manufacturing processes and bioreactors, as well as aspects of environmental protection (including the design of novel analytical techniques).

Possible fields of application

• Process design in laboratory, pilot plant and industrial scale
• development, production planning, etc. of biotechnological products
• efficient use of raw materials/energy through process optimization
• development of (small) medical devices and processes
• Planning and design of plants and apparatus

• The Life Science Engineering program is an engineering program that should not be confused with a purely scientific or medical program.
• Examination periods are at the beginning and end of the semester break, so that the semester break should be planned as a time to study and prepare for exams.
• An independent and structured way of working or careful preparation and follow-up is absolutely necessary in order to complete the studies within the prescribed times.
• Already in the first semesters, so-called basic and orientation examinations (GOP) have to be taken and passed in due time in order to prove the suitability for studies at an early stage.