Chemistry and Biotechnology

The first year of the CBT study program is dedicated to building on and expanding students' previous qualifications through disciplinary education. Students have the opportunity to select introductory modules totaling 45 credit points (CP) from the CHOICE area of various study programs, with 15-30 CP being from their chosen major. If they wish to change their major, they can do so at the start of the second year of studies if they have completed the corresponding modules of their intended study program in the first year.

In the first year of study, CBT students are required to take the following discipline-specific CHOICE modules:

• CHOICE Module: General Biochemistry (7.5 CP)
  Students gain a comprehensive understanding of biochemistry and learn how to apply and analyze basic biochemistry concepts through hands-on laboratory work.
• CHOICE Module: General and Inorganic Chemistry (7.5 CP)
  Students are introduced to general and inorganic chemistry, covering topics such as chemical foundations, types of chemical reactions, bonding, acid-base equilibria, and laboratory techniques.
• CHOICE Module: Introduction to Biotechnology (7.5 CP)
  Students learn about the fundamentals of microbiology, focusing on cell structure, genetics, molecular biology, and genetic engineering. The module also includes an introduction to metabolism, enzymes, and metabolic engineering.
• CHOICE Module: General Organic Chemistry (7.5 CP)
  Students are introduced to organic chemistry, including general reactivity patterns, resonance, conjugation, and aromaticity. The module covers topics such as carbonyl additions, conformational analysis, stereochemistry, substitution, elimination, and addition reactions.

In their second year, students enrolled in the CBT program must take 45 credit points for in-depth, discipline-specific CORE modules. These modules aim to deepen the student's understanding of the current state of knowledge and best practices in their major and help them critically evaluate key theories, principles, and methods.

The following 45 credit points of CORE modules must be completed by CBT students:

• CORE Module: Physical Chemistry (5 CP)
• CORE Module: Industrial Biotechnology (5 CP)
• CORE Module: Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (5 CP)
• CORE Module: Scientific Software and Databanks (5 CP)
• CORE Module: Advanced Organic/Analytical Chemistry Lab (5 CP)
• CORE Module: Advanced Organic Chemistry (5 CP)
• CORE Module: Bioprocess Engineering (5 CP)
• CORE Module: Advanced Biotechnology Lab (5 CP)
• CORE Module: Inorganic/Physical Chemistry Lab (5 CP)

Minor Option

In addition to the required CORE modules, CBT students have the opportunity to pursue a minor in another field of study by taking mandatory CHOICE modules (15 CP) in the first year and replacing the mandatory elective CBT CORE modules "Scientific Software and Databases" and “Advanced Biotechnology Lab” and the mandatory elective METHODS module “Plant Metabolism and Natural Products” in the second year (15 CP in total) with the CORE or Specialization modules from the desired minor program.

The “Advanced Biotechnology Lab” must be completed in the third year for students pursuing the minor option. This minor will be highlighted in their transcripts and provide them with a broader knowledge base and interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving, as well as help them develop an individual academic and professional profile that aligns with their strengths and interests.

As they enter their third year, CBT students embark on a crucial stage in their academic journey, where they begin to prepare for their post-graduation careers. Students participate in a mandatory summer internship program to broaden their horizons and gain valuable hands-on experience. The third year also offers students the opportunity to deepen their knowledge in their chosen field by selecting specialized modules while encouraging them to consider the larger responsibilities they will assume beyond their specific discipline.

The fifth semester provides CBT students with a window of opportunity to broaden their cultural and academic perspectives through diverse study-abroad options. Finally, in the sixth semester, students can further develop their research skills by completing a comprehensive Bachelor thesis project.

In order to further their expertise, CBT students are able to choose from four of the following specialized modules:

• Specialization: Advanced Organic Synthesis (from MCCB) (5 CP)
• Specialization: Organometallic Chemistry (5 CP)
• Specialization: Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology (5 CP)
• Specialization: Chemical and Pharmaceutical Technology (5 CP)
• CORE MCCB: Medicinal Chemistry (5 CP)
• CORE EES: Environmental Science (7.5 CP)*

*Please note that due to the size of the Environmental Science module, students who choose to take this module may exceed the typical workload of 30 CP per semester.

The Jacobs Track, an important feature of Constructor University’s educational concept, runs parallel to the disciplinary modules across all study years and is an integral part of the study program. It reflects a university-wide commitment to in-depth training in scientific methods, fosters an interdisciplinary approach, raises awareness of global challenges and societal responsibility, enhances employability, and equips students with extra skills desirable in the general field of study. Additionally, it integrates (German) language and culture modules.

Methods and Skills modules
Methods and skills such as mathematics, statistics, programming, data handling, presentation skills, academic writing, and scientific and experimental skills are offered to all students as part of the Methods and Skills area modules. Students are required to take 20 CP in the Methods/Skills area.

CBT students take the following Methods modules:

• Methods Module: Mathematical Concepts for the Sciences (5 CP)
• Methods Module: Physics for the Natural Sciences (5 CP)
• Methods Module: Analytical Methods (5 CP)
• Methods Module: Plant Metabolites and Natural Products (5 CP)

The module Plant Metabolites and Natural Products can be replaced with a CORE module from another study program in order to pursue a minor.

Big Questions modules
The modules of the Big Questions area intend to broaden the students’ horizon with applied problem-solving between and beyond the disciplines. The offerings comprise problem-solving oriented modules that tackle global challenges from the perspectives of different disciplinary backgrounds and that allow, in particular, a reflection of the acquired disciplinary knowledge in economic, societal, technological, and/or ecological contexts.

CBT students take BQ Module Ethics in the Sciences and Technology (5 CP) as a mandatory Big Questions module and select 1-2 modules (5 CP) from a broad portfolio of Big Questions modules.

Community Impact Project
In their 5th semester, students must take a 5 CP Community Impact Project (CIP) module. Students engage in on-campus or off-campus activities that challenge their social responsibility, i.e., they typically work on major-related projects that make a difference in the community life on campus, in its neighborhood, in Bremen, or on a cross-regional level.

Language modules
Constructor University supports its students in acquiring and improving these skills by offering a variety of language modules at all proficiency levels. Emphasis is put on fostering the German language skills of international students as they are an essential prerequisite for non-native-speaking students to learn about, explore, and eventually integrate into their host country and its professional environment.

All students take four language courses in the first and second years.

Study Abroad Option
Students can study abroad for a semester to extend their knowledge and abilities, broaden their horizons and reflect on their values and behavior in a different context and their role in a global society. For a semester abroad (usually the fifth semester), modules related to the major with a workload equivalent to 22.5 CP must be completed. Modules recognized as study abroad CP must be pre-approved according to Constructor University study abroad procedures. Several exchange programs allow students to enroll at prestigious partner institutions worldwide directly. Constructor University’s participation in Erasmus+, the European Union’s exchange program, provides an exchange semester at some European universities that include Erasmus study-abroad funding.

The curriculum of the study program is outlined in the schematic study plan:

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