The Faculty of Biology currently offers three bachelor’s degree programs: the Bachelor of Science in Biology, the Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology, and the Bachelor of Education in Biology.
At the master’s degree level, you can choose from six degree programs: the Master of Science in Biology*, the Master of Science in Molecular Biotechnology, the Master of Science in Neuroscience, the Master of Education in Biology, the International Master of Science in Microbiology (M.Sc.), a double degree program with the Université Bourgogne Europe in Dijon (France), and the Master of Science in Evolutionary Biology, newly added in the winter semester 2024/2025.
(*) While the Master of Science in Biology does offer required elective modules in English, you can only complete the degree program with sufficient German language skills.
The Faculty of Biology currently offers three bachelor’s degree programs. For information on the individual degree programs, take a look at the respective degree descriptions on the “Studying at JGU” page. Further subject-specific details can be found on our faculty’s website.
Still not sure which bachelor’s degree program is right for you? Then register for one of our taster days! Each semester, one taster day is offered online and one is offered on campus.
Our academic advisors will also advise you in a personal meeting. Make an appointment today!
At the master’s degree level, you can choose between six degree programs, four of which are exclusively taught in English. For information on the individual degree programs, take a look at the respective degree descriptions on the “Studying at JGU” page. Further subject-specific details can be found on our faculty’s website.
In cooperation with the scientific publisher Springer, the Faculty of Biology at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz has been offering interested and qualified biology laboratory technicians an extra-occupational advanced training in the form of a four-year distance learning program since 1997. The distance learning program consists of a certificate program, classroom modules, and the project work and bachelor’s thesis. Relevant professional activity before and during the distance learning program is a prerequisite for participation.
Graduates of the certificate program can obtain a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology degree at JGU by completing two subsequent 10-day classroom modules, which are offered by the Faculty of Biology as part of academic continuing education at JGU, as well as project work and a bachelor’s thesis, both carried out and written at their place of work. For the bachelor’s thesis, the participants will enroll at JGU via lateral entry and join the 6th academic semester of the regular bachelor’s degree program “Molecular Biology“.
The close involvement of the pharmaceutical industry guarantees the direct professional relevance of this distance learning program. The program is aimed at laboratory technicians and technical assistants from the fields of biology, chemistry, medicine, pharmacy, or related professions with at least two years of professional experience (with a general university entrance qualification, direct entry is possible after vocational training).
In addition to the highly practical training, participants should acquire sound theoretical knowledge to be able to plan and act independently, autonomously, and self-reliantly in their daily project work.
The distance learning program lasts four years. The curriculum is very much based on the curriculum for a Bachelor’s Degree Program in Biology (biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics). In addition, students acquire knowledge of animal and human physiology, medical microbiology, Pharmacology and Toxicology.
The distance learning program “Biology for Biology Laboratory Assistance” has been licensed by the “Staatliche Zentralstelle für Fernunterricht” (State Office for Distance Learning) in Cologne under number 656098.
All JGU subjects are included in the pre-university program. However, in subjects with selective admission – which include all biology subjects – you can only attend courses where sufficient free slots are available – usually lectures.
Are you an upper-level secondary school (Gymnasium) pupil in the Mainz area and interested in a pre-university program? You can find all relevant information on the opportunities and requirements under Studying at JGU!
Various resources at JGU are at your disposal to answer whatever questions you may have about the application process and the basic structure of a program of study.
Who to contact
Follow these steps to get started:
First-year students are always advised to find out about the requirements for the degree program, possible professions, any preliminary courses, etc. before beginning a program of study.
All subjects offer introductory events. We strongly recommend participating in the introductory events!
Please check the brochure “Beginning your Studies” or the course catalog to figure out when preliminary courses and introductory events take place. You will receive the brochure “Beginning your Studies” along with your enrollment documents.
Information for first-year students is provided regularly by the student advising office and is currently provided online. A corresponding announcement is sent by email to students enrolled in their first semester.
Instructions for the JOGU-StINe study information network can be found in the download area below.
If you have any further questions on the degree programs, please contact your academic advisor.
Who to contact
Figuring out how to organize your course of studies is associated with subject-specific questions and decisions, such as: What does the course sequence look like? Which modules can be combined? How many credit points can you earn with the modules and which achievements are recognized? Special subject-specific information for students is published on the webpage of each degree program on our faculty’s website.
If you are looking for more basic information about the program, you can find it in the degree description via the “Studying at JGU” page.
Do you need personalized advice? Our academic advisors are at your disposal.
In cooperation with the scientific publisher Springer, the Faculty of Biology at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz has been offering interested and qualified biology laboratory technicians an advanced training in the form of a four-year distance learning program since 1997. The distance learning program consists of a certificate program, classroom modules and the project and bachelor’s thesis. A relevant professional activity before and during the distance learning program is a prerequisite for participation.
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Graduates of the certificate program can obtain a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology at JGU by completing two subsequent 10-day attendance modules, which are carried out by the Faculty of Biology as part of continuing education at JGU, and a project and bachelor’s thesis carried out at their employer. For the bachelor’s thesis, lateral entry into the 6th academic term of the regular Bachelor’s Degree Program in “Molecular Biology” with corresponding enrollment at JGU is possible.
The close involvement of the pharmaceutical industry guarantees the direct professional relevance of this distance learning program. The program is aimed at laboratory technicians and technical assistants from the fields of biology, chemistry, medicine, pharmacy, or related professions with at least two years of professional experience (with a general university entrance qualification, direct entry is possible after vocational training).
In addition to the highly practical training, participants should acquire sound theoretical knowledge to be able to plan and act independently, autonomously, and self-reliantly in their daily project work.
The distance learning program lasts four years. The curriculum is very much based on the curriculum for a bachelor’s degree program in Biology (biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics). In addition, students gain knowledge in animal and human physiology, medical microbiology, pharmacology, and toxicology.
The distance learning program “Biology for Biology Laboratory Assistance” has been licensed by the State Office for Distance Learning in Cologne (Zentralstelle für Fernunterricht) with the number 656098.
All JGU subjects are included in the pre-university program. However, in subjects with selective admission – which include all biology subjects – you can only attend courses where sufficient free slots are available – usually lectures.
Are you an upper-level secondary school (Gymnasium) pupil in the Mainz area and interested in a pre-university program? You can find all relevant information on the opportunities and requirements under Studying at JGU!
Are you enrolled in a degree program that is being phased out? This section provides information about these degree programs in the Faculty of Biology. New applications for these degree programs are no longer possible.
Are you a first-year biology student and have little to no experience in the lab? With our online tutorials, you can independently prepare for scientific work in the lab – from home.
JGU students can complete online tutorials on a variety of topics. The tutorials are primarily aimed at first-year students who have little to no laboratory experience. They are only available in German.
The tutorials are organized into modules that you can work through independently and review as often as you like. The topics are usually split into chapters so you can stop working at the end of a chapter and continue later.
The tutorials are optimized for a computer screen or tablet. They also work on mobile phones, but the small screen size makes working through the topics very difficult.
Would you like to give us some feedback? Suggestions of all kinds and bug reports are very welcome!
After completing your program of study in the life sciences, you have the opportunity to continue specializing in a particular field of research by pursuing a doctorate, which opens up opportunities for an academic career in biology. Once you complete your doctorate, you are also able to pursue a teaching qualification in your field. The following gives an overview of the options open to you.
Did you know? Whether or not you pursue an academic career, the Gutenberg Network invites you to network and stay in touch.
Have you completed your degree program in the life sciences? Would you like to further specialize your research or even pursue a scientific career in the life science biology? Then a doctorate at the Faculty of Biology is an option for you! Do you prefer individual supervision at the faculty or would you like to benefit from a structured program?
A constantly growing scientific field: Since 1973, a total of 2619* doctoral students have successfully obtained a doctorate at the Faculty of Biology. More than 420* PhD students are currently enrolled, with 31* candidates currently in middle of the doctoral degree assessment procedure (*as of April 2025, the numbers are constantly changing).
It is possible to obtain the following degrees at the Faculty of Biology:
The doctoral regulations have changed on April 1, 2018. Should you wish to change from the old to the new regulations, simply submit your request in written form.
I have a Ph.D. in life sciences and want to pursue a career in science? The postdoctoral teaching qualification (Habilitation) is a way to provide the necessary evidence for the appointment of professors with respect to an excellent academic performance and a pedagogical (didactical) qualification (teaching qualification). It allows candidates to teach independently in a certain field of expertise at the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (venia legendi).
Did you study, teach, research, or work at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz? Or are you currently a student or employee here? Johannes Gutenberg University operates the Gutenberg Alumni Network with a wide range of services for everyone. Stay in touch, network with other experienced persons, and contribute your own expertise!
Our Student Advising Office is your contact for all questions concerning your studies at the Faculty of Biology. Do you have questions about how to plan your studies and structure your modules? Do you want to register for modules and in JOGUStINe? Are you considering changing your course? We are here to support you!
Appointments at the Dean’s Office, Student Advising Office, and Examination Office can be made during office hours by telephone or email. Appointments can only be made for matters that cannot be solved by telephone, mail, or email. Appointments by prior arrangement only.
Subject-Specific Academic Advice and Studies Manager
Studies Manager
Would you like to have certificates and courses recognized? Do you have subject-specific questions about your bachelor’s program at FB10? Our academic advisors can advise you in the following matters:
Academic Advisors
Responsible Person | Recognitions
Bachelor of Education in Biology (B.Ed.)
Bachelor of Science in Biology (B.Sc.)
Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology (B.Sc.)
Examination Office | Course Manager
Do you have subject-specific questions about your master’s degree program at the Faculty of Biology? Our academic advisors can advise you in the following matters:
Subject-specific Academic Advice
Examination Office | Course Manager
Course Representative | Recognitions
Master of Education in Biology (M.Ed.)
Master of Science in Biology (M.Sc.)
Master of Science in Evolutionary Biology (M.Sc.)
Course Representative | Recognitions
Master of Science in Microbiology (M.Sc.)
Master of Science in Molecular Biotechnology (M.Sc.)
Master of Science in Neuroscience (M.Sc.)
The course representative for your bachelor’s or master’s program at the Faculty of Biology is responsible for the recognition of coursework. He or she makes a recommendation which the Examination Office usually follows and then formally recognizes and records in your JOGU-StINe account.
If you would like to have coursework recognized, please note the instructions on the following page. You can also download the ‘Äquivalenzbescheinigung’ (certificate of equivalence) form here.
Do you have subject-specific questions about your distance learning program or pre-university program at the Faculty of Biology? Our academic advisors provide advice on the following topics:
“Distance Learning” Biology
“Pre-university Program” Biology
Appointments at the Dean’s Office, Student Advising Office, and Examination Office can be made during office hours by telephone or email. Appointments can only be made for matters that cannot solved by telephone, mail, or email. Appointments upon prior arrangement only.
Head
Course manager
You will find all important contacts regarding our international activities in the following overview:
JGU International | Erasmus+
You can find all relevant information on the Erasmus+ program on the JGU International webpage.
Erasmus+ coordinator
There is an annual online information event via MS Teams. The dial-in code for the event and the date (usually early/mid-January) will be sent via a system message in JOGUStine. If you would like to attend, please register for the event in JOGUStine. A checklist and deadlines, e.g. application deadline for the respective academic year, will be announced in mid-February via the relevant Moodle ‘Erasmus+ Infoveranstaltung Fachbereich Biologie*’.
Ombudsperson for foreign students
JGU International | FORTHEM
Look here for information on FORTHEM JGU International webpage.
Partner Cities Representatives
Dijon
Palermo
Valencia
Zagreb
Haifa
Are you enrolled in a degree program at the Faculty of Biologiy that is expiring? Below, you will find all relevant information. Please note that new applications for these degree programs are no longer possible!
“Diplom Biologie”
Anthropology (M.Sc.)
The Student Council Biology represents your interests during your studies, provides you with information and advice, and invites you to events. Curious about getting involved or would you like more information?
Student Council Biology at
Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
The library of the faculty is part of the Mathematics, Computer Science, Natural Sciences and Technology Library (MIN).
Mathematics, Computer Science, Natural Sciences, and Technology Library
Student Services is your first contact point for advising you on general questions relating to applications and the program of study at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU). Please visit the program of study portal for further information during service hours.
There are many questions related to a program of study. The Student Advisory Center (ZSB) is the first point of contact at JGU for all questions relating to the program of study. You can find all information on office hours and advisory services on the ZSB website on the “Studying at JGU” website.
On the Studying at JGU portal, you can find information on funding options for your studies and the various scholarship options, including a Deutschlandstipendium, a scholarship for gifted students, target group-oriented or earmarked scholarships.
