Bachelor's Programme Biology

Post it: Recognition of Prior Learning

Bachelor's Programme Biology

As of winter semester 2019/2020 this programme is no longer open to new entrants. For information on the succeeding bachelor’s programme please consult this page »

Faculty	Faculty of Biology
Duration / ECTS-Credits	6 semesters / 180 ECTS-Credits
Academic Degree	Bachelor of Science (BSc)
Qualification Level	Bachelor (First Cycle) ISCED-11: Level 6, EQF/NQF: Level 6
ISCED-F	0511 Biology
Mode of Study	Full-Time
Study Code	UC 033 630
Curriculum	Information on the Curriculum (2008W) *
Admission Requirements	Secondary school completion certificate or equivalent
Supplemental Examination	Supplemental examination in biology and environmental sciences is required before admission to the study programme if this subject was not completed satisfactorily with at least 6 credit hours at a higher-level secondary school ("Oberstufe").
PODCAST	http://streaming.uibk.ac.at/medien/c102/c1021067/Podcasts/Studienpodcasts /Biologie.mp3

* Information on the Curriculum (2008W)

The complete version of the curriculum reflects the currently valid version of the curriculum. It is for informational purposes only and is not legally binding. The legally binding version of the curriculum, including any amendments, may be found in the University of Innsbruck Bulletins.

In order to determine which version of the curriculum is applicable in your case, see the Catalogue of Studies,
available at: https://lfuonline.uibk.ac.at/public/lfuonline_meinestudien.studienblatt
Section: Current Curriculum version.

University of Innsbruck Bulletins » (Click to open all University of Innsbruck Bulletins)

University of Innsbruck Bulletin December 19^th 2018, Issue 10, No. 147 (Modification Regulation of Admission Procedure)
University of Innsbruck Bulletin December 05^th 2018, Issue 8, No. 113 (Modification Regulation Admission Procedure)
University of Innsbruck Bulletin May 16^th 2018, Issue 39, No. 358 (Admission Period for the winter semester 2018/2019)
University of Innsbruck Bulletin May 17^th 2017, Issue 37, No. 538 (Admission Period for the winter semester 2017/2018)
English Version of the Curriculum (from October 1^st 2016)
University of Innsbruck Bulletin June 1^st 2016, Issue 35, No. 420 (Admission Period for the winter semester 2016/2017)
University of Innsbruck Bulletin March 31^st 2016, Issue 17, No. 291 (modification of the curriculum)
University of Innsbruck Bulletin March 24^th 2016, Issue 16, No. 288 (modification Regulation Admission Procedure)
University of Innsbruck Bulletin May 6^th 2015, Issue 23, No. 351 (Admission Period for the winter semester 2015/2016)
English Version of the Curriculum (from October 1^st 2014)
University of Innsbruck Bulletin May 7^th 2014, Issue 19, No. 377 (Admission Period for the winter semester 2014/2015)
University of Innsbruck Bulletin February 19^th 2014, Issue 12, No. 209 und 214 (Amendment Admission Procedure and Payment)
English Version of the Curriculum (from October 1^st 2011)
University of Innsbruck Bulletin June 8^th 2011, Issue 26, No. 457 (modification of the curriculum)
University of Innsbruck Bulletin September 29^th 2010, Issue 54, No. 475 (amendment of the curriculum)
University of Innsbruck Bulletin June 23^th 2010, Issue 42, No. 327 (modification of the curriculum)
University of Innsbruck Bulletin April 29^th 2008, Issue 36, No. 265

Studies Induction and Orientation Stage (STEOP)

Studies Induction and Orientation Stage (STEOP) starting winter term 2016 »

(1) Within the scope of the Studies and Orientation Period, which takes place in the first semester, the following course examinations must be passed:

VO Basic Botany: Functional Anatomy of Plants (CM 2 lit. a/2 hrs./3 ECTS-Credits);
VO Basic Microbiology: Significance of Microorganisms (CM 2 lit. b/2 hrs./3 ECTS-Credits);
VO Basic Zoology: Organisation and Diversity of Animals I (CM 2 lit. c/2 hrs. /3 ECTS-Credits).

(2) Successful passing of all exams of the Studies Induction and Orientation Period entitles to passing all further courses and examinations and for writing the Bachelor’s Thesis.

(3) Before successful completion of the Studies Induction and Orientation Period courses amounting to 21 ECTS-Credits may be passed. The registration requirements listed in the curriculum must be adhered to.

Studies Induction and Orientation Stage (STEOP) winter term 2014 until december 2015 »

The Studies Induction and Orientation Stage (STEOP) requirements cease to be effective as of academic year 2014/2015 and no longer apply for students of this study programme.

Students who enrolled for this programme before 1 October 2014 (academic year 2014/2015) can repeat not successful completed courses which were designated in the curriculum as “STEOP courses” four times (= five examination attempts). As per Universities Act § 77 (2), previous attempts are to be counted among the number of total examination attempts permitted.

Studies Induction and Orientation Stage (STEOP) starting summer term 2014 »

(1) The Studies Induction and Orientation Stage (STEOP), with a duration of one ts), provides an overview of the study programme and its structure in order to give students an objective basis to assess their decision to pursue their chosen subject(s).

(2) During the Studies Induction and Orientation Stage, the following course examinations, which may be repeated twice, must be completed satisfactorily:

1. VO Basic Botany: Functional Anatomy of Plants (CM 2 lit. a/2 h/3 ECTS-Credits);
2. VO Basic Microbiology: Significance of Microorganisms (CM 2 lit. b/2 h/3 ECTS-Credits);
3. VO Basic Zoology: Organisation and diversity of animals I (CM 2 lit. c/2 h/3 ECTS-Credits).

(3) A positive result (passing grade) on the examinations specified in Paragraph 2 permits students to attend all courses and take all examinations following the Studies Induction and Orientation Stage (STEOP) and to write a bachelor's thesis as described in the curriculum. The registration requirements specified by the curriculum must be met.

General Information

Recommended Course Sequence

The exemplary course sequence given below is recommended for full-time students beginning their study programme in the winter semester. The table shows one possible course sequence for the bachelor's programme and is not compulsory. Delays resulting from repeated examinations are not taken into account.

The standard duration of the study programme is 6 semesters or 180 ECTS-Credits, whereby according to the Universities Act of 2002, a workload of 1,500 (real) hours per academic year must be fulfilled, corresponding to 60 ECTS-Credits (one ECTS-Credit is equivalent to a workload of 25 hours).

First Semester »

10.0 ECTS-Credits: Basics 1
10.0 ECTS-Credits: Basics 2
10.0 ECTS-Credits: Basics 3

Second Semester »

7.5 ECTS-Credits: Botany 1
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Zoology 1
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Microbiology 1
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Molecular Biology 1

Third Semester »

7.5 ECTS-Credits: General Education 1
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Zoology 2
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Ecology 1
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Molecular Biology 2

Fourth Semester »

7.5 ECTS-Credits: General Education 2
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Botany 2
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Microbiology 2
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Ecology 2

Fifth Semester »

7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module

Sixth Semester »

7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module
15.0 ECTS-Credits: Bachelor’s Thesis

Graphic chart »

Recommended course sequence for Bachelor Programme Biology

Qualification Profile and Skills

The Bachelor's Programme Biology, incorporating the fundamentals of the natural sciences (chemistry, biochemistry, physics) and general abilities (multidisciplinary skills, laboratory methods, field methods, experimental design, statistics), offers wide-ranging instruction in the individual branches of biology (botany, zoology, microbiology, ecology and molecular biology). The modules convey both theoretical knowledge, based on extensive laboratory and field experience, and necessary practical skills. Students are made familiar with scientific writing and research and are able to develop problem-solving skills. Individual specialization may be pursued through the selection of specific elective modules from the branches of biology, allowing students to adapt their programme to meet individual occupational goals.

Expected Learning Outcomes

Graduates are able to elaborate, evaluate, assess and implement scientific developments in the fields of biology and to apply them in interdisciplinary contexts. They possess theoretical and methodological problem-solving skills as well as multidisciplinary skills, such as learning strategies, literature research and information retrieval, and scientific communication.

Future Prospects: Occupational Profiles and Career Opportunities

The Bachelor's Programme Biology specifically prepares students for activities in private and public institutions in the fields of agriculture and forestry, environment and nature conservation, landscape planning and management, pharmaceutics, medicine, public administration, museums and libraries, botanical and zoological gardens, and nature reserves.

Postgraduate and further Studies at the University of Innsbruck

Supplementary Programme

Within the scope of the Study Programme, a Supplementary Programme corresponding to 60 ECTS-Credits may be passed. Admission to the Supplementary Programme requires the admission to or the having passed of one of the selected Study Programmes. Detailed information: https://www.uibk.ac.at/studium/angebot/es-informatik/

Information about examination regulations, assessment and grading

Examination regulations

The examination regulation is an integral part of the curriculum, detailed information can be found under the paragraph examination regulations.

Description of the applied grading system (including the grade distribution table) »

The grade distribution table is a statistical representation of the distribution of all successfully completed examinations in a given programme of study or subject (based on all registered students for the programme or subject). The grade distribution table is updated in regular intervals.

Austrian grading scheme	Definition	%-age
1	EXCELLENT: Outstanding performance	21.4	= 100%
2	GOOD: Generally good, but with some errors	28.5
3	SATISFACTORY: Generally sound work with a number of substantial errors	28.8
4	SUFFICIENT: Performance meets the minimum criteria	21.3
5	INSUFFICIENT: Substantial improvement necessary; requirement of further work

December 2021

Overall classification of the qualification

Not applicable
Explanation: An overall classification (mit Auszeichnung bestanden/pass with distinction, bestanden/pass, nicht bestanden/fail) – is awarded only for examinations that conclude a programme of study and consist of more than one subject (an examination of this type is not specified in the curriculum of this programme of study).