Bachelor of Science

Applied Biology Bachelor

to the study programmes

Hands-on biology

In this degree programme, we combine current biological issues with their fields of application in industry and research. From biotechnology to water protection - the Applied Biology (ANB) degree is versatile and offers you many career opportunities after graduation!

  • ECTS: 210 ECTS
  • Programme duration: 7 semesters
  • Campus: Schwenningen
  • Faculty: Medical and Life Sciences
  • Programme begins: winter semester (October), summer semester (March)
  • Application deadline: 15 July (winter semester), 15 January (summer semester)
  • Entry requirements: University entrance qualification
  • Teaching language: German
  • Accreditation: yes
  • Overview of content We provide you with in-depth knowledge of the life sciences, as well as the scientific and technical knowledge you need for practical implementation. With us, you'll gain project management skills and perfect your English - the language of modern science!
  • Real-life tasks Practice-oriented means that you apply your knowledge to real issues right from the start – from the molecular basis of life to processes on an industrial scale. What's more, you'll become famililar with everyday life in companies, for example during your internship semester.
  • Out into the world You'd like to do an internship semester abroad or work on your bachelor's thesis at an international location? This is easily possible through cooperation with our external partners – worldwide.
  • For a sustainable future Whether environmental protection or recycling management - biology and biotechnology are future-oriented sciences, with which we can develop many solutions for current problems. They will play a key role in an increasing number of areas of application and professional fields. Help shape the future!

Details of the programme

Programme content and structure

Programme content and structure

We provide you with interdisciplinary training in the technical, industrial and pharmaceutical applications of this knowl-how based on the life sciences. Together we work on questions such as, "Can enzymes help break down plastic waste?" or "How can biotechnology be used to produce food and medicines in a more resource-efficient way?"
Get your career off to a flying start with this broad specialist knowledge.

Foundation studies

In the first two semesters, we build a solid foundation in biology and other natural sciences – especially mathematics, chemistry and physics. You will need all of this to understand biotechnical applications and the life sciences themselves. In all of this, we focus on practical application. You'll already learn about important lab techniques that you'll use later in your career. And the best thing is – ou can get started right away in our labs.

Advanced studies

Besides studying at the university, you'll also complete your advanced level courses in industry or at external research institutions. You'll deepen your specialist knowledge of subjects such as cell culture/3D tissue or food biotechnology and specialise in elective subjects such as human biology, biotechnology or sustainability. The practical relevance remains – in an interdisciplinary internship, you'll produce a product using genetically modified microorganisms, which you will then purify yourself.

Exams & Thesis

In your seventh and final semester, you will take the final examination for your Bachelor of Science degree. Now you can show what you've learned during your studies! You write your thesis on a topic of your choice. You can do this not only at HFU, but also outside the university in a company or a research institution - so you can make further contacts with potential employers right away.

  • 39% Practical work
  • 37% Biology
  • 19% Technology
  • 13% Maths/Physics
  • 11.5% Chemistry
  • 11.5% Electives
  • 8% Languages / Management

Entry requirements

More is more

We recommend our Applied Biology course to anyone who is interested in biology in all its various areas of application. Microbiology, cell and molecular biology, biomedicine and biotechnology are extremely relevant for the future, and we would love to get you even more excited about them.

In contrast to a generalist degree in biology at a university, we teach focused biological and technical courses that are important for industrial applications - for example in the fields of biochemistry or process engineering. At ANB, you combine the content of a biology degree programme with the content of a biotechnology degree programme. 

So ANB is interdisciplinary. By learning about the different application areas of biology and biotechnology, you'll develop a high level of problem-solving skills. And this specialist knowledge opens up a wide range of career opportunities for you!

What's covered

Special features

International experience as a career plus

International experience is particularly advantageous in the research-oriented life sciences. At HFU there are many opportunities to spend part of your studies abroad. We maintain partnerships with universities all over the world. You can also easily complete your practical semester or thesis at a company or institute abroad. The best time to spend six to twelve months abroad is generally after completing your foundation studies, preferably in the 6th semester. In any case, the study abroad period should be planned well ahead of time. We will be happy to advise you on this decision!

Key contact person for the semester abroad: Prof. Dr. Ulrike Fasol, Phone +49 7720 307-4754, Email application is started:ulrike.fasol(at)hs-furtwangen.de
Key contact person for the internship semester: Prof. Dr. Simon Hellstern, Phone +49 7720 307-4382, Email application is started:simon.hellstern(at)hs-furtwangen.de

Cutting-edge labs - equipped for every eventuality

HFU has a large number of very well-equipped laboratories that enable optimal interdisciplinary teaching and research. For your basic scientific training on the Applied Biology degree programme, you'll be working in the labs for chemistry, measurement technology and analytics. Internships in biological subjects such as microbiology, molecular biology and biochemistry take place in our own labs. As a rule, two students form a practical team, which is supervised by two lecturers for a total group size of approx. 20 students.

In special laboratories such as cell culture technology or the technical center you get the opportunity to work with state-of-the-art equipment integrated into current research projects during your bachelor's degree.

One very special lab is our in-house distillery, which of course focuses on beverages and we often find out together – biotechnology can be pretty tasty!

Your career prospects

The sky's the limit

Applied biology and biotechnology play an increasingly important role in the economy, opening up new fields of activity for qualified graduates. There's an urgent need for their specialist know-how in the pharmaceutical and food industries, in biomedical and biotechnical research and in environmental protection, for example. 

The specialisations in Pharmaceutical and Industrial Biotechnology and Applied Environmental Protection give you just what potential employers in these areas need.

The Synthetic Biology elective is another specialist area that already plays an important role in drug production and biomedicine and will continue to grow in the future. The legal, business and management-related knowledge acquired during your studies will of course also contribute to your excellent career prospects after graduation.

Possible fields of work for our graduates include: Industrial research and development, production, quality management, product management, marketing, sales, safety management, metrology and analytics, clinical/chemical diagnostics, applied environmental protection and environmental engineering.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Biology, you can also continue your academic career: You will have the perfect foundation for a subsequent master's degree in Biological Sciences or a related subject. At HFU, we offer you many opportunities - right up to a doctorate!

Labs & equipment

ANB - all aspects of Biology (I2987)
ANB - all aspects of Biology (I2988)
ANB - all aspects of Biology (I2989)
ANB - all aspects of Biology (I2990)
ANB - all aspects of Biology (I2991)
ANB - all aspects of Biology (I2992)
ANB - all aspects of Biology (I2993)

Faculty of Medical and Life Sciences

At the Faculty of Medical and Life Sciences, everything revolves around the life sciences. Those who study with us contribute to improving people's health and quality of life. Our society is aging – which is why specialist knowledge in areas such as process engineering and (molecular) medicine, medical technology and biosciences is becoming increasingly important. Our degree programmes train you to become sought-after experts in biotechnology, the environment, diagnostics or therapy and prevention.

Internal link opens in the same window:Find out more about the Faculty of Medical and Life Sciences

The MLS faculty is one of the strongest in research at HFU. You will gain many insights into current research issues during your studies and will be able to participate in specific tasks. Click here for Internal link opens in the same window:current HFU research projects.

Interested, but still got questions? We're happy to advise you!

Your key contacts

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