- PLG_CONTENT_COURSEINFO_DEGREE
- Bachelor's degree
- Start of studies
- Summer and winter semesters
- PLG_CONTENT_COURSEINFO_DURATION
- 6 semesters
- Admission mode
- No permit required
- Study location
- Giessen
- PLG_CONTENT_COURSEINFO_LANGUAGE
- DE
Every day, biomedical research laboratories generate incredibly large amounts of data. However, this data cannot yield any insights unless it can be understood and interpreted. This is precisely why programs and software are needed to prepare, evaluate, and analyze the data, enabling researchers worldwide to create new knowledge. The task of bioinformatics is to solve scientific questions through the development and application of these programs.
Contents at a glance:
Studies
Study content
Do you enjoy biology but don't want to work directly in a lab? Are you drawn to the idea of combining biology and computer science in an interdisciplinary career? Are you interested in both computer science and biology? Do you also enjoy mathematics and chemistry? Then bioinformatics is perfect for you!
While at the beginning of your studies you will be taught the basics in mathematics, biology, chemistry, computer science and of course bioinformatics, later on you will have opportunities to specialize in your preferred field.
We always work closely with practical applications to prepare you for professional life. This way, you develop a good understanding of what it means to be a bioinformatician even during your studies.
Study program
The following is a list of the courses offered in this degree program. The numbers indicate the weekly contact hours (SWS) or the credit points you will receive for successful completion of the course. A total of 180 credit points must be earned. This study program reflects the start of studies in the winter semester. For the study program starting in the summer semester, please refer to the current examination regulations.
1
| MODULE | SWS | CrP |
|---|---|---|
| Data Science Programming | 4 | 6 |
| Theoretical Computer Science 1 | 4 | 6 |
| Mathematics 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Chemistry for Bioinformatics | 5 | 6 |
| Data Science Methods 1 | 6 | 6 |
| TOTAL 1ST SEMESTER | 25 | 30 |
2
| MODULE | SWS | CrP |
|---|---|---|
| Programming 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Theoretical Computer Science 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Mathematics 2 | 4 | 6 |
| General Biology | 5 | 6 |
| Introduction to Bioinformatics | 4 | 6 |
| TOTAL 2ND SEMESTER | 25 | 30 |
3
| MODULE | SWS | CrP |
|---|---|---|
| Bioinformatics algorithms | 6 | 6 |
| Molecular biology | 5 | 6 |
| Statistics and data analysis | 4 | 6 |
| Elective module | 4 | 6 |
| Elective module | 2 | 3 |
| Computer science as a science: fundamentals and techniques | 3 | 3 |
| TOTAL 3RD SEMESTER | 24 | 30 |
4
| MODULE | SWS | CrP |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineering: Concepts and Methods | 4 | 6 |
| Computational Biology | 4 | 6 |
| Biodata analysis | 6 | 6 |
| Biochemistry for Bioinformatics | 5 | 6 |
| Elective module | 4 | 6 |
| TOTAL 4TH SEMESTER | 23 | 30 |
5
| MODULE | SWS | CrP |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineering: Implementation | 4 | 9 |
| Current Topics in Bioinformatics | 2 | 3 |
| Elective module | 4 | 6 |
| Elective module | 4 | 6 |
| Computer science as a science: application and reflection | 3 | 6 |
| TOTAL 5TH SEMESTER | 17 | 30 |
6
| MODULE | SWS | CrP |
|---|---|---|
| Practical phase | 2 | 15 |
| Bachelor thesis with colloquium | - | 15 |
| TOTAL 6TH SEMESTER | 2 | 30 |
Elective
| ELECTIVE MODULES | SWS | CrP |
|---|---|---|
| Bioinformatics in drug research | 6 | 4 |
| Genetic algorithms | 6 | 4 |
| Multivariate statistics | 3 | 2 |
| Introduction to Molecular Modelling | 6 | 4 |
| Computer-aided drug design | 3 | 2 |
| Bioinformatics excursion | 3 | 2 |
| Deep learning on biological sequences | 6 | 2 |
| Bioinformatics Algorithms II | 6 | 4 |
| Data Science in Biology | 6 | 4 |
| Ethics in Bioinformatics | 3 | 2 |
| Data Science Methods 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Tools of quantitative research | 3 | 2 |
| Law for computer scientists | 3 | 2 |
| Digital Sciences – A Humanities Perspective | 3 | 2 |
| Bits and Trees: Shaping Digitalization Sustainably | 3 | 2 |
| Methods and Didactics for Tutors | 3 | 2 |
| Study abroad semester+ | 6 | - |
| English for STEM 1 | 3 | 2 |
| English for STEM 2 | 3 | 2 |
| English for STEM 3 | 3 | 2 |
| English for STEM C1 | 3 | 2 |
| Image processing and introduction to pattern recognition | 3 | 4 |
| Introduction to High Performance Computing | 3 | 4 |
| Programming 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Operating systems and computer networks | 6 | 6 |
| Application of systems-level concepts in programming | 3 | 4 |
| Automata, languages and compilers | 3 | 4 |
| Database systems | 3 | 6 |
| Introduction to IT Security: Cryptography, Software and System Security | 6 | 4 |
| Interactive systems | 6 | 4 |
| Fundamentals of Data Science | 6 | 4 |
| Introduction to systematic software testing | 3 | 2 |
| Fundamentals of Computer Graphics | 6 | 4 |
| Functional programming | 6 | 4 |
| Code quality | 6 | 4 |
| Efficient algorithms and their applications | 6 | 4 |
| Machine Learning | 6 | 4 |
| Combinatorial Optimization: Algorithms and Applications | 6 | 4 |
| Introduction to the Julia programming language | 6 | 4 |
| Machine Learning 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Advanced Topics in Deep Learning | 6 | 4 |
| Introduction to Natural Language Processing | 6 | 4 |
| Molecular Biology 2 | 3 | 3 |
The detailed study program can be found in the module handbook.
Career prospects
Perspectives
Graduates in bioinformatics can work in software development and application, for example, in the pharmaceutical industry. They also have the opportunity to work in a scientific capacity at a research institution. Thanks to their comprehensive training in computer science, they will have diverse career prospects in this field as well.
Their advantage: As technology continues to advance, there is a shortage of specialists capable of evaluating relevant information from large research datasets or making it usable for experiments in advance. They will therefore belong to a small and thus highly sought-after professional group.
Application and enrolment
matriculation
- degree
- Bachelor (B.Sc.)
- Standard period of study
- 6 semesters
- Accreditation
- ASIIN Düsseldorf
- Study options
- Full-time studies
- Main language of instruction
- German
- Study location, site
- Giessen
- Cost
- Semester fee
- Admission mode
- The course is open admission. You only need to enroll within the respective deadline and meet the enrollment requirements to secure a place.
- Start of studies
- Winter and summer semesters
- Bridge courses
-
Before the start of lectures, THM one-week bridging courses in subjects including mathematics, physics, programming, and chemistry. First-year students can use these courses to refresh their prior knowledge and fill any gaps.
- Enrollment period
-
June 1st to September 20th (winter semester)
December 1st to March 20th (summer semester) - Application period for international students
-
Applications are accepted via uni-assist from April 1st to July 15th (winter semester) and from October 1st to January 15th (summer semester)
Further information for international applicants is available from the International Office. - Application
