A Bachelor of Science in Biology with a Major in Molecular Biology combines a basic education in science with specialist lectures from all areas of molecular biology. An early involvement in cutting-edge research as well as excellent supervision make studying at the Biozentrum internationally unique.

How does a cell develop? How does a stem cell know what to become? How does a blood vessel form or the nervous system develop? Biology explores how life works at all levels from the molecule to complex organisms and whole ecosystems.

The Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of Basel takes three years. In the first-year you will acquire the scientific fundamentals needed for your more specialized advanced studies in the following years. This basic education in the first year is the same for all biology students. In the second year differentiation into one of the three Majors begins: 

• Molecular Biology studies structures and functions vital to life at the molecular and cellular level
• Animal and Plant Sciences investigates organisms, populations and aspects of both cell and developmental biology.
• Integrative Biology is a combination of these two directions. 

The Biozentrum, one of the leading institutes in basic molecular and biomedical research worldwide offers the Major in Molecular Biology.  You can find out first hand from two Bachelor's students about their studies at the Biozentrum.

Study program

1st Year Studies: 
The courses impart fundamental knowledge in biology, mathematics, physics and general chemistry. These compulsory core subjects are the same for all biology students.

2nd Year Studies: 
If you choose the Major in Molecular Biology, you will attend, among others, courses in biochemistry, developmental biology, genetics, human physiology, immunology, molecular microbiology, neurobiology, structural biology and physics of life. As of  autumn 2023, you will also attend the new practical course “Experimental Molecular Biology”. With the Biozentrum Research Summer program, we also offer the unique opportunity to actively immerse yourself into research already in your second year of study and participate in a research group at the Biozentrum for seven to nine weeks.

3rd Year Studies: 
The third year of studies is highly practice-oriented. For a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a Major in Molecular Biology you will attend three six-week, all-day block courses including both theoretical and practical aspects and as of 2025 work for eight weeks on your final thesis. The block courses you will attend are “Structural Biology and Biophysics”, “Microbiology and Immunology” and “Cell Biology and Neurobiology”. 

For any questions concerning your studies, please contact the Student Office Biology (see below). In the first year, you will be additionally tutored by a student from an advanced semester. During your studies, you will also be personally mentored by a lecturer as part of a career tutorial.

Career perspectives

The Bachelor's degree in Biology opens up diverse career perspectives. These include a research career at a university or in industry, work in a lab or at a school, in a patent attorney firm or in consulting, in bioinformatics or in science journalism. With your knowledge of life processes, many doors will open in medicine, biotechnology, the pharmaceutical and food industries, at universities or in state organizations. Depending on the professional position, it may be recommended to complete a Master of Science degree or to acquire other additional qualifications.