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Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy

Food Chemistry

Bachelor (180 ECTS)

Programme Duration: 6 Semesters
Start: Winter Semester
Admission: Restricted
Accepted Applicants per Year: 30
Programme Language: German

Master (120 ECTS)

Programme Duration: 4 Semesters
Start: Summer or Winter Semester
Admission: Aptitude Screening
Accepted Applicants per Year: Unlimited
Programme Language: German

Description

Programme Overview

  • The interdisciplinary degree programme in food chemistry combines (food) chemistry with other life science disciplines such as biochemistry, toxicology, microbiology, and food technology.
  • The objectives of the programme are regulated in accordance with the Ordinance on the Training and Examination of State-Certified Food Chemists (APOLmCh [Available only in German]).
  • Parts of the degree programme, especially the research-oriented master's programme, can be completed abroad.
  • The master's degree entitles the holder access to the third examination stage of the certification programme to become a state-certified food chemist.

Job Prospects

  • Graduates of the bachelor's programme assess the identity and quality of food, tobacco products, cosmetics, consumer goods and animal feed.
  • Graduates of the master's programme (titel "food chemist") have numerous job opportunities in the food, animal feed, cosmetics and consumer goods sectors, as well as in research and teaching. Learn more on the website Study Chemistry of the GDCh.
  • The qualification as a state-certified food chemist enables you to work in official food monitoring.

Admission

  • The prerequisite for admission to the bachelor's programme is the general or relevant subject-linked university entrance qualification (allgemeine oder einschlägige fachgebundene Hochschulreife) in conjunction with your final grade according to the selection limits of local admission thresholds for restricted admission degree programmes.
  • Successful applicants to the master's programme must demonstrate specific competencies in the various fields relevant to the master's degree programme. More information can be found in the subject-specific regulations (Note: this information is only available in German). 
  • Applications for both the bachelor's and master's programmes must be submitted online via the UNI-Portal. The deadline for a programme start in summer semester is January, 15th, for start in the winter semester, July, 15th. 
  • For general information related to enroling in and pursuing a degree programme, please contact the Student's Affairs Office.

Structure, Objectives and Content

  • The degree programme of food chemistry is composed of varied practical and theoretical courses in both the 6-semester bachelor's programme and the subsequent 4-semester master's programme.
  • The practically-oriented bachelor's programme first teaches basic knowledge in the scientific subjects of chemistry, biology, physics and mathematics. Building on this, focus is put on the instrumental and molecular biological analysis of food ingredients. The programme culminates with the bachelor thesis and the evaluation of an food analysis scientific problem.
  • In the master's programme, students deepen their understanding of food chemistry and food analysis and aquire expertise in the fields of food law, biochemistry, toxicology, environmental analysis as well as research method development and validation. These practical and research skills are then put to use for the final master's thesis in order to solve a complex, food chemistry scientific problem.

Doctoral Studies

  • A doctorate demonstrates the ability to conduct in-depth, independent scientific work.
  • The interdisciplinary and research-oriented master's program can easily be followed by a doctorate, which can also be completed abroad.
  • The doctoral thesis usually takes three to four years to complete.
  • Further information on the path to a PhD at our faculty can be found here.

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