Orientation to studies

• Module

A module can be compared with the subjects taught at school. Each module forms a self-contained subject area and is usually concluded with an examination. A module takes up a different amount of time depending on its credit points.

• Lecture, seminar, tutorial

In the university, in contrast to teaching in school, a distinction is made between lecture, seminar and tutorial. The lecture is held by the lecturer (usually a professor of the university) as a frontal teaching. This means that the content is conveyed through digital media or the blackboard, whereby individual questions can be asked. For further deepening of the module content, the consecutive seminars are suitable, which are usually held by academic staff or doctoral candidates. The seminars are the link between lectures and tutorials. Tutorials are only an additional offer and are therefore not offered in every module. They are usually held by students of higher semesters and allow the discussion of exercises and problems. While lectures are rather "anonymous", tutorials are held in smaller groups and are therefore much more individual and personal.

• Mandatory module

Within the Bachelor's and master´s program, there are modules that all students must take and also pass by means of a module final examination. These are the so-called compulsory or mandatory modules.

• Compulsory elective module

In addition to the compulsory modules, there is a selection of elective modules. During the bachelor's program, 10-15 credit points from this area must be completed. Each student decides independently. The elective modules are offered and taught by the Faculty of Chemistry and Mineralogy. During the master´s programm 40 credit points from this area must be completed.

• Key qualification

In addition to the elective modules, key qualifications amounting to 10-15 credit points can be taken. An overview of the inter-faculty key qualifications is provided centrally.

• (Research) Practical Courses

A major part of the chemistry program consists of the practical courses. In these, preparative work is carried out in the laboratory in the undergraduate courses after an antestat and an experimental procedure. Some of the practical work in the master's programs is carried out independently (Research Practical courses). It is precisely this type of course that makes the study of chemistry so varied.

• Winter semester (WiSe) and summer semester (SoSe)

The study program at the Leipzig University is divided into two semesters. The winter semester covers the period from 01.10. - 31.03. and the summer semester accordingly from 01.04. - 30.09.. These periods are then further subdivided into the teaching period and the lecture-free period.

There is currently no numerus clausus (NCU) for the bachelor's program in chemistry at the University of Leipzig. The admission of applicants for the core subject Chemistry in the teacher training programs depends on the admission in the first chosen subject. An overview of the admission restrictions of recent years can be found on the page on university-wide admission restrictions.

The only prerequisite is a university entrance qualification and if you are an international student the language proof "German C1".

You can also study at the Uni-Leipzig without an Abitur with the right prerequisites. You can find more information about this on the pages of the University of Leipzig.

For our international master program "structural chemistry and spectroscopy" a bachelor in chemistry with comparable chemical content to the bachelor degree in Leipzig is necessary.

 

Attendance is not compulsory during lectures, seminars and tutorials. The practical courses, by contrast, are often (pre) exams, so that attendance is obligatory.

Actually, it is called "lecture-free period" at the university. This means that lectures and seminars do not take place, but practicals courses and exams can be completed. Information about the lecture-free period and holidays (on which neither practicals, exams nor the like take place) can be found on the central pages of the University of Leipzig. Exams are usually scheduled at the end of the lecture period or at the beginning of the lecture-free period (February to March in the winter semester, end of June to beginning of August in the summer semester). Repeat exams can be taken at the end of the lecture-free period (end of March or September). This still leaves one or the other free week during your studies.

The lectures of the 1st semester (bachelor´s program) take place in the big lecture hall of the Faculty of Chemistry and Mineralogy, lecture hall 4 in the Wilhelm-Ostwald-Institute and the big lecture hall in the Faculty of Physics and Geosciences. These are located directly on the campus of the Faculty of Chemistry and the Faculty of Physics and can be reached quickly. For all the other lectures please check our site map here. Courses in the master's program can also take place at the Center for Environmental Research (UFZ) and Institute for Surface Modification (IOM).

You can find most of the information about living in the dormitory at the Studentenwerk.

A timely application secures you a place in one of the dormitories in Leipzig. There are both shared apartments and individual apartments with their own bathroom and kitchen.

The living environment in the halls of residence varies greatly. Students looking for a place to stay here should be communicative and open-minded about the environment. When applying for a place in a dormitory, however, it is important to note that the apartment/room cannot be inspected beforehand. Unless there is an agreement with the previous tenant. The roommate/roommate in shared apartments will be assigned.

Moving out or terminating a dormitory room is always only possible at the end of the semester if no new tenant can be found.

Quote from a student of the bachelor's program in chemistry (6th semester): "I lived in the dormitory at Philipp-Rosenthal-Straße 33 for one year. On the one hand, it was very convenient to live right next to the faculty, because you could quickly go home between lectures or during lunch break and the distances were very short. On the other hand, you live in exactly the same place where you study. I could never really switch off from the university. Nevertheless, I found it a very good solution for the beginning."

Other student dormitories next to the faculty for chemistry and mineralogy are: Tarostrasse 12-18, Straße des 18. Oktober 23-33 und "Am Bayrischen Bahnhof" Straße des 18. Oktober 17.

The Unicard is most often used for public transportation and the Mensa. A full MDV ticket is included in the semester fee and your Unicard functions as a ticket. The buses, streetcars and trains of the Mitteldeutscher Verkehrsverbund are free of charge.

You can find more info on the Webseiten der Leipziger Verkehrsbetriebe.

In the cafeterias of the Studierendenwerk, the Unicard is used as a credit card that you can load with money.
In addition, the Unicard also serves as a library card with which you can borrow books and use the printers in the PC pool in the new Augusteum.

Delicious food served at student-friendly prices? That's what you get at the many Cafeterias of Studierendenwerk. The cafeterias are modern and there is a wide selection of dishes, depending on the cafeteria. At peak times, however, it can get a bit noisy and crowded.

The most important cafeteria for chemists is the "Cafeteria am Botanischen Garten and "Mensa am Medizincampus" and only a few minutes walk from the faculty. The library of the natural sciences is located in the same building. However, there is also a cafeteria directly at the faculty.

In the already mentioned "Library of Natural Sciences" are all textbooks, which are needed for the basic study of chemistry. The main textbooks can also be found in sufficient numbers on site. Many students use the many workstations to write protocols or to study for exams. Therefore, the libraries can be very busy at the end of the lecture period.

For those interested in sports, there is a huge range of sports courses and camps. The respective program for the coming semester can be viewed and booked on the website of the ZfH Uni Leipzig and the Health Sports of the University of Leipzig. Courses are offered that are taught by trained exercise instructors. These are usually subject to a fee. In addition, there are meetings where sports enthusiasts can meet in a relaxed and non-binding way, e.g. to kick a ball or play volleyball. There are also many trips offered, e.g. ski camps in the winter semester or surf camps in the summer semester. In general, always keep an eye on the new registration dates. Due to the high demand, some offers are already fully booked after a few seconds.

The university's language center offers a large number of language courses for which you can register before the semester. Furthermore, the Language Center offers language proficiency tests and preparation courses for language certificates (e.g. TOEFL test).

The university regularly offers workshops and programs on many different topics. For example, the Academic Lab offers workshops on academic writing and papers.

The "Career Service" also offers interesting events for job orientation and entry into professional life. The German job market is very complicated to understand (especially for international students ), so feel free to join the courses of the Career Service.

The Faculty of Chemistry and Mineralogy is one of the smaller faculties at the Leipzig University. One often meets familiar faces. This can be an advantage to exchange information about modules and their contents, or to get help if necessary. Of course, friendships also develop outside of one's own matriculation group. Especially the foyer is full of students during the lecture period.

In addition, there are many events where members of the faculty come together. This includes not only students, but also doctoral candidates and faculty staff. Examples are the summer party of the faculty on the campus between chemistry and physics, or the Juniwiesenfest, a big volleyball tournament organized by the clubs of the faculty.

At the beginning of the first semester, 120-150 bachelor students and about 80 student teachers start their studies at the faculty. However, some of the freshmen drop out of the program early and after one year there are about 60-90 people per year in the bachelor's program. Approximately 50 students start the German-language master's program. The international programs are significantly less attended with 15-25 students per cohort.

At the beginning of their studies, all new students feel the same. Most of them have just moved to Leipzig and know almost no one. That's why there are many events to get to know each other, especially in the first week, including a city rally and various get-to-know-you barbecues. Likewise, the number of first-year students is manageable, and students quickly get to know each other in the lectures and internships. In addition, interested students can get involved in the various student associations and meet new people there.

The faculty offers some opportunities to get involved in volunteer work while in college. The most important of these are the Fachschaftsrat, der Elferrat, das JungChemikerForum und die Destille. Learn even more about FSR, 11erRat der Chemie, JCF ant he student´s club Destille on their own websites and on "Associations of the faculty".

There are many student assistants (SHK) and research assistants (WHK) at the Faculty of Chemistry and Mineralogy and at Leipzig University in general. Please note the offers on the notice boards of the student council and the faculty. Also ask the professors if they need support in their working groups.

Especially at our faculty, such jobs include, for example, the supervision of internships or the management of tutorials. Accordingly, these jobs are only given to students from the 3rd semester and higher.

For international students it is really important to get to know the regularities of the german labor market. Our Career Service offers a lot of important workshops.

Are you insured with a German statutory health insurance company?

If you have statutory health insurance with a German health insurance company, please provide the following dates of Leipzig University to the insurance company: Betriebsnummer KK05456707 und Absendernummer H0002598

Are you privately insured with a German health insurance company?

If you have private health insurance with a German health insurance company, we need a valid certificate from your private health insurance company and a notice of exemption from compulsory health insurance as a student at a statutory health insurance company.

Are you insured with a foreign statutory or private health insurance company?

If you have statutory health insurance with a health insurance company in an EU, or EEA country, Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, Tunisia or the United Kingdom, then you are already insured through your home country and do not need to insure in Germany. You can get benefits using your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), Global Health Insurance Card (from the UK) or Eligibility (from a treaty country).

However, you need a certificate from a statutory German health insurance company that you are insured in your home country. You apply for this certificate directly from a German statutory health insurance company after your arrival in Leipzig. Please provide the provider with the following information:

•           Copy of the EHIC / GHIC / insurance policy (front and back)

•           Surname, First name(s)

•           Date of birth

•           Place of birth (city, country)

•           Current address

•           Following dates of Leipzig University: Betriebsnummer KK05456707 und Absendernummer H0002598

The certificate can be issued by any statutory health insurance company. You can find an overview at

Are you insured with a German statutory health insurance company?

If you have statutory health insurance with a German health insurance company, please provide the following dates of Leipzig University to the insurance company: Betriebsnummer KK05456707 und Absendernummer H0002598

Are you privately insured with a German health insurance company?

If you have private health insurance with a German health insurance company, we need a valid certificate from your private health insurance company and a notice of exemption from compulsory health insurance as a student at a statutory health insurance company.

Are you insured with a foreign statutory or private health insurance company?

If you have statutory health insurance with a health insurance company in an EU, or EEA country, Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, Tunisia or the United Kingdom, then you are already insured through your home country and do not need to insure in Germany. You can get benefits using your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), Global Health Insurance Card (from the UK) or Eligibility (from a treaty country).

 

However, you need a certificate from a statutory German health insurance company that you are insured in your home country. You apply for this certificate directly from a German statutory health insurance company after your arrival in Leipzig. Please provide the provider with the following information:

•           Copy of the EHIC / GHIC / insurance policy (front and back)

•           Surname, First name(s)

•           Date of birth

•           Place of birth (city, country)

•           Current address

•           Following dates of Leipzig University: Betriebsnummer KK05456707 und Absendernummer H0002598

The certificate can be issued by any statutory health insurance company. You can find an overview here.