Biology

(Minor 30)

Degree program: Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences
(RVO 19)

General description

The pioneering discoveries and developments in biology over the past decades have changed our perception of the world. The dynamic progress of biological research is unbroken. This is why biology is one of the most exciting university degree programs you can study. The BSc in biology offers a general education in natural sciences, knowledge of all branches of research in biology and the ability to think and work methodically and scientifically. The institutes of our division of Biology, together with the medical-biological institutes of the Faculty of Medicine, offer an extremely wide range of biological specializations. Further, study structures in specialized studies of biology (as of the 5th semester) between the University and ETHZ are fully compatible. This renders Zurich one of the world's top locations for studying biology.

Admission requirements

The provisions laid out in the framework ordinance for Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs and the provisions defined in the program regulations at the Faculty of Science of the University of Zurich, apply.

Educational goals

Graduates from the minor study program in Biology (30 ECTS credits) are able to

  • use their understanding of current research in Biology as well as their

fundamental knowledge of a selection of foundational subjects such as Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biochemistry to understand questions in Biology.

  • recognize, describe and explain particular biological concepts and phenomena.

ECTS credits

30 ECTS Credits

Program structure

A minor study program in Biology (30 ECTS credits) provides students with basics in Natural Sciences, knowledge in several research areas of Biology and the ability to understand and tackle the most important biological questions.

Examination and assessment regulations

The student's achievement is assessed at the end of each module.
Achievements are graded on a scale from 1 to 6, whereby 6 denotes the highest grade of achievement and 1 the lowest. A grade below 4 is insufficient.
Achievements can also be graded with 'passed' or 'failed'.

Language of instruction

German, English