The concept of this unique study program provides a common "basic education" in chemistry and biochemistry in a "Y-model" in the first four semesters. The fifth and sixth semesters are followed by the so-called "orientation studies", in which the students can choose subject specializations and prepare the bachelor's thesis.
The LMU Bachelor's program "Chemistry and Biochemistry" is completed in the four sub-subjects Inorganic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry and Physical Chemistry in a regular course of study of six semesters. The study of chemistry and biochemistry is designed to familiarize students with experimental methods in a close combination of theory and practice, to impart thorough knowledge, and to train the powers of observation and manual skills that are prerequisites for independent scientific work.
The bachelor's degree enables an early transition into professional life and at the same time prepares students for the two specialization courses leading to master's degrees in chemistry or in biochemistry.
General description of the study program on the central LMU websites
The program’s design and its components
The bachelor program "Chemistry and Biochemistry"at the LMU is divided into four components: inorganic chemistry, biochemistry, organic chemistry and physical chemistry, and should be completed in six semesters. The program should acquaint the student with the theory and practice of experimental methods, impart a thorough knowledge of the subject and train the student's power of observation and develop his or her technical skills, all of which are requirements for independent scientific work.
The bachelor program in chemistry and biochemistry always begins in the winter semester and consists of two parts:
All students must pass the placement process (see below) to be admitted to the bachelor program for chemistry and biochemistry.
Students with general university qualification (German Abitur), students graduating from professional trade schools (BOS) and technical colleges (FOS 13) may apply to the LMU.
Persons who do not have a general university qualification (for example, FOS 12), can receive the qualification upon successful completion of the Vordiplom or a bachelor's degree at a university of applied science.
Before you begin your studies in the bachelor program, you first have to apply for acceptance to that study program, that is, you have to register or re-register. If you want to enter the program in chemistry and biochemistry at the LMU, you must complete two consecutive steps:
With reference to the different groups of people, the steps are explained in more detail below:
1. Step one: Application for admission (placement process)
The first step toward admission takes place at the Faculty for Chemistry and Pharmacy in the Chemistry Department.
When you have received a letter of acceptance from the Department, you can proceed to step two (see below).
When you have received a letter of acceptance from the Referat für Internationale Angelegenheiten and a letter of acceptance from the Department of Chemistry, you can proceed to step two.
2. Step two: Matriculation (enrollment) at the LMU
You can register at the LMU after you have received your letter of acceptance from the Chemistry Department (and, for foreign students, your letter of acceptance from the Office of International Affairs). Registration (matriculation) must be done after you have filled out the online form (see LMU web site). Filling out the online form does not mean you have registered!
1) In general
There is no limitation (numerus clausus) at the LMU on the number of students who may be admitted to the chemistry and biochemistry bachelor program. The students' aptitude for the study program, however, must be ascertained by a suitability test.
The placement process is part of the application procedure (Bewerbung), which must be completed by the application deadlines (see below). You will be informed of the outcome of your application approximately three weeks after the application deadline (in accordance with the Placement-Process-Bylaws - see below).
If you are not accepted, you only may apply a second time before a following deadline.
2) The placement process for the bachelor program "Chemistry and Biochemistry"
In this part of the placement process (in accordance with the Placement-Process Bylaws (efv_satzung_178.pdf (PDF, 34 KB)), an average grade, without rounding, will be ascertained from the average grade of the German Abitur and the grades of specific subjects. The average grade will consist of:
If grades for the subjects mentioned above are not specified in the grade transcript, those subjects will not be factored into the average. Instead the average Abitur grade will receive the weight of 12.5% more for each missing grade (for example, Abitur grade 62.5%, biology, chemistry and physics 12.5% each).
Relevant vocational training or other practice-oriented training can be taken into consideration to raise the grade average if it is greater than 2.5 according to the German grading system (1.0 is best, 5.0 is failed).
The grades of applicants with other ducuments than the "German Abitur" will be converted into the German grade system.
1) Application deadlines
Before you read this section, please read the section called Applying for admission (Bewerbung).
The bachelor program "Chemistry and biochemistry" at the LMU has no limitations on the number of students that may be accepted. Each applicant, however, must take the placement process.
Deadlines for applying are: for the winter term, July 15, and for (lateral entrants) the summer term, January 15 of the same year.
Please do not send any folders or original documents, because the application materials will not be returned.
2) Your application must include the following:
Please send your application to:
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Department Chemie
Studentensekretariat Chemie, Haus F5.018
Butenandtstr. 5-13
81377 München
After we have evaluated your application, in accordance with the Placement-Process Bylaws (PDF, 34 KB), we will either:
3) Enrollment/Registration
After you have received a letter of confirmation from the Department of Chemistry AND the confirmation of the International Office you should take the following steps:
Flyer der Zentralen Studienberatung zum Thema Immatrikulation (in German) (PDF, 516 KB)
If you are rejected:
You may still apply for admission to other universities which do not have admission restrictions or universities that have different placement criteria.
If you have any further questions, please contact the student secretariat in chemistry.
You can use the time between graduating from high school (Abitur) and starting at the LMU by preparing yourself for the program.
Although courses and lab work are organized so that students can be successful without large amounts of prior knowledge, the time-consuming work load at the beginning of the first semester can be handled more easily if you prepare yourself optimally.
In addition to the following preparation suggestions, you can test your prior knowledge of stoichiometry, for example, by using interactive learning programs (below).
Info-Videos
Here you can find info about the study program in (short) videos.
Introductory lab course
The introductory lab course gives you a chance to appraise the subject and the program before you register. The course starts at the beginning of September, lasts three weeks, and takes place in the labs of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Only applicants who have received a positive letter of placement confirmation may take part.
More information concerning the introductory lab course see below.
Preparing for chemistry
In the first semester, teaching will concentrate on chemical equilibrium and the chemistry of the elements. Concepts such as acids and bases, redox reactions, solubility and crystallization will be focussed upon. These are concepts which are also treated in non-natural-sciences-based schools. Good textbooks, such as Mortimer, Chemie - Basiswissen der Chemie, Thieme Verlag, can be of great use.
Preparing for mathematics and physics
New entrants to our program have shown major differences in the levels of basic knowledge in mathematics and physics. That is why the courses "Mathematics for Chemists" and "Mathematics for Physicists" in the first two semesters of the program often cause problems and are also very time-consuming. We strongly recommend a review of the material from the basic math courses of the 10th through 13th grades of Gymnasium.
You must have been accepted to the University after passing the suitability test to participate in the introductory lab course. In addition you must complete the introductory lab course to qualify for the first-semester basic lab course (Liebig Lab)!
Chemistry and biochemistry program: the introductory lab course
The fundamental aim of the introductory lab course is to prepare students for the chemistry program straightforward (before the enrollment!). In this three-week-long all-day lab course the interested people meet the everyday life of studying. In addition, the students become familiar with their daily routine and familiarizes them with themes such as lab safety, practical skills, etc.
The introductory lab course allows future students to zero in on their individual strengths and skills before registration at the University and aids in their decision as to whether or not to take up the study of chemistry or biochemistry.
Because of the reforms in the basic lab course, the new research-oriented first-semester lab course (Liebig Lab) will take up less time during the first semester, thus allowing students more time to prepare for exams.
At a glance:
Attendance at the preliminary discussion on 1st lab course day is obligatory (the time and place will be mentioned in your letter of acceptance)
Help with starting out
Current Module Catalogue of this study program:
MHB LMU-BachelorChemieBC_01-11-2018_en.pdf (PDF, 858 KB)
Please register here for the Lab Courses
If no times are specified for the internships, they take place during the lecture period.
1. Semester (WiSe=winter term)
2. Semester (SoSe=summer term)
Following 2 lab courses are consecutive during the lecture period, 6 weeks each.
3. Semester (WiSe)
4. Semester (SoSe)
Following 3 Lab Courses are consecutive during the lecture period, 4 weeks each.
5. Semester (WiSe)
6. Semester (SoSe)
General information about the Bachelor thesis
The Bachelor's thesis should be written in one of the two subjects from which the elective modules have been chosen in accordance with Appendix 2 of the examination regulations.
Admission requirements: all achievements of the basic studies (semester 1-4 : 120 ECTS).
The duration of the work is fixed in the examination regulations in §14 at 10 weeks, which corresponds to a total of approx. 400 working hours. For the experimental work, approx. 6 weeks (full time) are planned in the lecture-free period and approx. 8 weeks (slightly more than half time) in the semester, i.e. approx. 240 working hours.
The extent of the written work depends on the topic and the subject, but should be less than the master's thesis, which is equivalent to a diploma thesis.
The student clarifies the topic and the working hours with the working group leader (first examiner). The first examiner must then sign the registration form. This is available in the examination office as soon as the admission requirements are fulfilled.
The registration form for the Bachelor thesis must be submitted to the examination office at the latest when the work begins!
A single copy of the written version of the thesis must be submitted to the Examination Office no later than 4 months after registration.
Two further copies are to be prepared for the first and second examiners respectively.
The paper should be reviewed and graded by the first and second examiners no later than 1 month after submission.
First and second examiners must be members of the examination board.
Informationen zur Bachelor-Arbeit als Download (PDF, 25 KB) (PDF, 25 KB)
Additional regulations for the preparation of external bachelor theses
The Bachelor thesis may be produced at institutions external of the LMU departments of Chemistry or Biochemistry (national as well as abroad).
Therefore you have to submit an informal proposal to the examination office, which will be evaluated by the chair of the examination committee.
The proposal should express the following points:
If you plan a thesis in industry, you also have to submit a transcript. Additionally, you have to mention that the external supervisor has to furnish an opinion (including marks), that he/she transfers to the official supervisor of the departments.
General description of the study program on the central LMU websites
The program’s design and its components
The bachelor program "Chemistry and Biochemistry"at the LMU is divided into four components: inorganic chemistry, biochemistry, organic chemistry and physical chemistry, and should be completed in six semesters. The program should acquaint the student with the theory and practice of experimental methods, impart a thorough knowledge of the subject and train the student's power of observation and develop his or her technical skills, all of which are requirements for independent scientific work.
The bachelor program in chemistry and biochemistry always begins in the winter semester and consists of two parts:
1) Application deadlines
Before you read this section, please read the section called Applying for admission (Bewerbung).
The bachelor program "Chemistry and biochemistry" at the LMU has no limitations on the number of students that may be accepted. Each applicant, however, must take the placement process.
Deadlines for applying are: for the winter term, July 15, and for (lateral entrants) the summer term, January 15 of the same year.
Please do not send any folders or original documents, because the application materials will not be returned.
2) Your application must include the following:
Please send your application to:
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Department Chemie
Studentensekretariat Chemie, Haus F5.018
Butenandtstr. 5-13
81377 München
After we have evaluated your application, in accordance with the Placement-Process Bylaws (PDF, 34 KB), we will either:
3) Enrollment/Registration
After you have received a letter of confirmation from the Department of Chemistry AND the confirmation of the International Office you should take the following steps:
Flyer der Zentralen Studienberatung zum Thema Immatrikulation (in German) (PDF, 516 KB)
If you are rejected:
You may still apply for admission to other universities which do not have admission restrictions or universities that have different placement criteria.
If you have any further questions, please contact the student secretariat in chemistry.
You can use the time between graduating from high school (Abitur) and starting at the LMU by preparing yourself for the program.
Although courses and lab work are organized so that students can be successful without large amounts of prior knowledge, the time-consuming work load at the beginning of the first semester can be handled more easily if you prepare yourself optimally.
In addition to the following preparation suggestions, you can test your prior knowledge of stoichiometry, for example, by using interactive learning programs (below).
Info-Videos
Here you can find info about the study program in (short) videos.
Preparing for chemistry
In the first semester, teaching will concentrate on chemical equilibrium and the chemistry of the elements. Concepts such as acids and bases, redox reactions, solubility and crystallization will be focussed upon. These are concepts which are also treated in non-natural-sciences-based schools. Good textbooks, such as Mortimer, Chemie - Basiswissen der Chemie, Thieme Verlag, can be of great use.
Preparing for mathematics and physics
New entrants to our program have shown major differences in the levels of basic knowledge in mathematics and physics. That is why the courses "Mathematics for Chemists" and "Mathematics for Physicists" in the first two semesters of the program often cause problems and are also very time-consuming. We strongly recommend a review of the material from the basic math courses of the 10th through 13th grades of Gymnasium.
Current Module Catalogue of this study program:
MHB LMU-BachelorChemieBC_01-11-2018_en.pdf (PDF, 858 KB)
Please register here for the Lab Courses
If no times are specified for the internships, they take place during the lecture period.
1. Semester (WiSe=winter term)
2. Semester (SoSe=summer term)
Following 2 lab courses are consecutive during the lecture period, 6 weeks each.
3. Semester (WiSe)
4. Semester (SoSe)
Following 3 Lab Courses are consecutive during the lecture period, 4 weeks each.
5. Semester (WiSe)
6. Semester (SoSe)
General information about the Bachelor thesis
The Bachelor's thesis should be written in one of the two subjects from which the elective modules have been chosen in accordance with Appendix 2 of the examination regulations.
Admission requirements: all achievements of the basic studies (semester 1-4 : 120 ECTS).
The duration of the work is fixed in the examination regulations in §14 at 10 weeks, which corresponds to a total of approx. 400 working hours. For the experimental work, approx. 6 weeks (full time) are planned in the lecture-free period and approx. 8 weeks (slightly more than half time) in the semester, i.e. approx. 240 working hours.
The extent of the written work depends on the topic and the subject, but should be less than the master's thesis, which is equivalent to a diploma thesis.
The student clarifies the topic and the working hours with the working group leader (first examiner). The first examiner must then sign the registration form. This is available in the examination office as soon as the admission requirements are fulfilled.
The registration form for the Bachelor thesis must be submitted to the examination office at the latest when the work begins!
A single copy of the written version of the thesis must be submitted to the Examination Office no later than 4 months after registration.
Two further copies are to be prepared for the first and second examiners respectively.
The paper should be reviewed and graded by the first and second examiners no later than 1 month after submission.
First and second examiners must be members of the examination board.
Informationen zur Bachelor-Arbeit als Download (PDF, 25 KB) (PDF, 25 KB)
Additional regulations for the preparation of external bachelor theses
The Bachelor thesis may be produced at institutions external of the LMU departments of Chemistry or Biochemistry (national as well as abroad).
Therefore you have to submit an informal proposal to the examination office, which will be evaluated by the chair of the examination committee.
The proposal should express the following points:
If you plan a thesis in industry, you also have to submit a transcript. Additionally, you have to mention that the external supervisor has to furnish an opinion (including marks), that he/she transfers to the official supervisor of the departments.