Biological Chemistry is a stand-out, multidisciplinary, and transnational academic degree program offered jointly by the Johannes Kepler University Linz (AT) and the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice (CZ).

Students here focus on a base-knowledge understanding of various types of chemistry in an effort to better understand biological processes. An inherent part of the program includes hands-on laboratory courses as well as a strong focus on chemistry and life sciences. All of the courses in the program are offered in English, giving you an opportunity to hone your language skills and actively take part in a stimulating international environment.

Graduates of the Bachelor's degree program are highly sought-after and in high demand in the job market. Graduates can also opt to pursue a Master's degree in a STEM field.

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The undergraduate degree program in Biological Chemistry focuses on the following:

• Chemistry: General, organic, inorganic, analytical, and physical chemistry - during class and as part of labs, you will strengthen your base-knowledge understanding in different types of chemistry.
• Mathematics and Physics: You will learn about the required mathematical and physical concepts needed for any STEM major, such as differentiation, integration, statistics, Fourier transforms, series expansion, linear algebra, main theorems of thermodynamics, mechanics, and quantum mechanics.

• Bioinformatics: How do you analyze biological data? Learn more about the foundations of phylogenetics and sequence analysis.
• Biochemistry: You will dive deep into learning about our body's chemical processes to learn more about the building blocks of life.
• Molecular Biology: Starting with DNA to RNA to protein: How are biological molecules structured? How do they synthesize? How do they interact with each other)

You will learn to work across disciplines and in a solution-oriented capacity, acquiring these key skills and expertise:
 

• How to Work Safely in a Lab: Conduct lab activities focusing on chemistry and biology
• Analytical Techniques: Antibody testing, chromatography, electrophoresis, calorimetry, mass spectrometry, patch clamp methodology, PCR, protein sequencing
• Structural Analysis: DNA and RNA sequencing, fluorescence microscopy, confocal microscopy, molecular dynamics simulation, NMR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography
• Preparative Techniques: CRISPR-Cas9 (gene scissors), cloning, organic synthesis, recombinant protein expression, ultracentrifugation
• Social Skills: The Bachelor's degree program includes learning how to work effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team in order to be able to communicate findings to a wider audience and/or write an academic paper. Successful researchers are expected to demonstrate a strong social skill set.

Requirements

In order to be admitted to the Bachelor's degree program, you must fulfill the following requirements.

• Hold general higher education entrance qualifications (such as an Austrian "Matura" or German "Abitur" diploma)
• Language certificate for English level B2