Biological Diversity and Ecology (B.Sc.)

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Ecology – occupation or calling?

If you are interested in the evolutionary origin of plants and animals and are familiar with the issues of conservational biology and ecology, then at Göttingen, you can learn about methods and skills to understand and make use of modern research into biodiversity. Research in the field, molecular techniques and computer-aided ecosystem research can all be found in this degree programme. The Bachelor's degree qualifies students to take part in our English-language Master's degree programmes with a biological or ecological focus.

Name:: Biological Diversity and Ecology
Degree:: Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
Teaching language:: German
Standard period of study:: 6 semesters
Start of studies:: Winter semester
Admission:: restricted admission (application to the University)
Pre-course:: A pre-course is offered
Orientation events:: Orientation events are offered

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Course description: What is it about?

How did life and thus species diversity, biodiversity, come into being on Earth? How much and how fast has biodiversity changed in the history of our planet and what are the driving forces of this evolution of life? What role does biodiversity play in ecosystems and biomes? Are all animal and plant species equally important in ecosystems or are their functions of different importance for the existence of ecosystems?

Biodiversity research attempts to scientifically record species diversity and to understand its diverse functions. The focus is on the different spatial distribution of species on earth, from the tropics to the poles, as well as their evolutionary history, and on research into the functions of biodiversity in habitats, i.e. the question: "how do ecosystems function"? These scientific findings form the basis for the development of strategies and practical measures to preserve biodiversity in the landscape.

The German-language, modularly structured study programme offers basic training in biology with a focus on evolution, ecology and biodiversity and in general natural science subjects in the first study stage (first to fourth semester).

In the second study section (fifth and sixth semesters), individual profile formation takes place through in-depth studies in ecology and biodiversity research as well as systematics and phylogeny, including modern methods of biological-systematic and biological-ecological research.

Most modules therefore include many practical exercises, which take place in the laboratory, in the course room or in the field, depending on the subject focus.

What should I bring with me?

Besides an interest in biology, especially ecology and evolution, including the acquisition of species knowledge, general scientific basics, especially in chemistry, as well as mathematics and statistics are required. Especially in ecology, a high level of statistics is indispensable.

In addition, a good knowledge of English is advantageous at the beginning of the study programme, because an intermediate level II knowledge of English is required for the compulsory module Scientific English I. If these are not yet (completely) available, the missing knowledge can also be made up for during the degree programme.

And what will I do with it later?

Possible career fields can be, for example, in nature conservation authorities, national parks or state offices, or in nature conservation and environmental organisations, but also in the media education sector such as publishing houses, science journalism or in environmental education as well as in environmental consulting & environmental technology and much more.

Even though the three-year "Bachelor" is formally the first academic degree qualifying for a profession, a subsequent two-year Master's degree is often indispensable in the life sciences. Furthermore, for a path into science, the doctorate is the third step of academic education.

Therefore, the University of Göttingen offers the unique opportunity to study biological diversity and ecology from the Bachelor's, through the Master's to the Doctorate of Natural Sciences.

Related and consecutive/graduate programmes

Related programmes

Consecutive/graduate programmes

Features

Structure

As an introductory lecture, the Biology Lecture Series provides an overview of the broad subject range of biology and lays the common foundation for more advanced modules. This part of the lecture series is divided into two modules (Part A and B).

Total: 10 C

In this practical course, light microscopic preparations of plant cells, tissues and organs are made, thereby learning about and interpreting the structure and evolution of plants and fungi.

Total: 6 C

In this practical course with accompanying lecture, knowledge about biodiversity, phylogeny and evolution of animals is taught. By dissecting different animal species, students learn about their morphology and evolution.

Total: 6 C

Since all biological processes are ultimately based on chemical reactions, chemistry is essential for a deeper understanding of biology. In this module, basic chemistry is taught in a lecture with exercises.

Total: 6 C

As an introductory lecture, the Biology II lecture series provides an overview of the broad subject range of biology, with an emphasis on the molecular biology subjects, and lays the common ground for more advanced modules.

Module description

Total: 8 C

In the module, the origin, systematics and diversity of animals will be taught theoretically and by means of morphological and molecular methods, and the identification of the most important European animal families will be practised in field practicals.

Total: 10 C

In the module, the origin, systematics and diversity of plants will be taught theoretically and using morphological and molecular methods, and the identification of the most important European plant families will be practised in field practicals.

Total: 10 C

In addition to the basics of occupational safety, the chemistry practical course teaches the work processes in chemical laboratories, such as calculating concentrations and yields, preparing solutions and the basics of analytics.

Total: 4 C

Here the basic evolutionary mechanisms are taught and examples of evolutionary change are given. Particular importance is given to phylogenetic systematics as well as biogeography for the understanding of evolution.

Total: 10 C

In lectures, the basics of animal and plant ecology are taught in this module, and the ecological relationships are illustrated with examples in the practical course and seminar.

Total: 10 C

In this area, two supplementary modules are to be chosen from a range of biological and general science modules, with which the study can be individually designed.

Total: 20 C

This module teaches technical language skills in English, for example to understand English-language scientific publications and to be able to give simple technical presentations in English.

Total: 6 C

In order to strengthen one's own profile, modules from the university's permitted range can be freely selected in this area, for example special biological modules, but also modules from other subjects or language courses.

Total: 6 C

In a six- to eight-week professional internship at a non-university institution of the student's choice (with a recognisable connection to the educational direction of the degree programme), practical experience from the professional world is gained.

Total: 8 C

Six modules are chosen from a wide range of in-depth compulsory elective modules from the core disciplines of the degree programme. This means that students can specialise here according to their individual inclination.

Total: 36 C

Total: 6 C

The module serves the conceptual preparation of the Bachelor's thesis and the teaching of "good scientific practice". It is usually taken directly before the start of the Bachelor's thesis.

Total: 6 C

In the Bachelor's thesis, which is usually experimental, a scientific problem from the subject area selected in the specialisation is worked on independently under guidance.

Total: 12 C

Regulations and module directory

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Details

Application

Admission

Start:: Winter semester only

1st subject semester:: restricted admission (application to the University)
2nd to 6th subject semester:: restricted admission (application to the University)

EU
Citizen from an EU country (including Germany and EEA) or holding a German university entrance qualification

Selection procedure results
Eligibility

Non-German citizens without a German educational qualification

German language skills

Non-EU
Citizen from a non-EU country (or stateless person)

Structure

Impressions

"You have a wide range of career opportunities with this degree."

Tom studied Biological Diversity and Ecology in his Bachelor's degree. He then stayed in Göttingen and has been studying for a Master's degree in Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution (BEE) since the winter semester of 2022.

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"The block courses allow you to familiarize yourself intensively with individual topics"

Vivien started her Bachelor's degree in Biological Diversity and Ecology in Göttingen in the winter semester 2021/22. She previously completed a Bachelor's degree in Political and Administrative Sciences in the Netherlands.

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"An FÖJ is a good opportunity for orientation"

After an FÖJ, Joshua studied for a Bachelor's degree in Biological Diversity and Ecology. Since the winter semester 2023, he has been studying for a Master's degree in Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution (BEE) in Göttingen.

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"Before my studies, I couldn't even tell a beech from an alder"

Lina studied Biological Biodiversity and Ecology for her Bachelor's degree. After graduating, she stayed in Göttingen and is studying for a Master's degree in Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution (BEE).

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