FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
(click on question for answer!)
CONTACT - Whom to ask?
First, please check the FAQ, the website MSc Biochemistry, the module handbook or the Study regulations to see whether your answer is already answered there.
Otherwise you can contact one of the people/departments regarding the topic…
Please contact only one person at a time and don`t send your request to a couple of people at a time! Your e-mail will definitely be read and if you accidentally don`t send it to the person in charge it will be forwarded to that person in charge. Sending requests to several people will only make things more complicated.
Please first check whether your question has already been answered in the FAQs.
Please contact only one person at a time and don`t send your request to a couple of people at a time! Your e-mail will definitely be read and if you accidentally don`t send it to the person in charge it will be forwarded to that person in charge. Sending requests to several people will only make things more complicated.
Applications for the MSc Biochemistry :Simone Kobylka
Info on a certain module: the respective module entry in QIS/LSF or on OLAT; the respective module coordinator as listed in the module handbook
Exams: Sylke Schemenau
Other formal study matters: Dr. Andreas Lill
Subject advisors: Prof. Gottschalk,Prof. Pos, Prof. Tampé
BaFöG: Prof. Güntert, Prof. Dötsch
Erasmus: Dominik Bajura, Prof. Glaubitz, Prof. Dötsch
Student council Biochemistry (help from other students): Homepage or Contact
Other questions that don`t fit into any of the above categories: Dr. Jana Liewald
Please first check whether your question has already been answered in the FAQs.
Please contact only one person at a time and don`t send your request to a couple of people at a time! Your e-mail will definitely be read and if you accidentally don`t send it to the person in charge it will be forwarded to that person in charge. Sending requests to several people will only make things more complicated.
Study application & general study information: Studium Lehre Internationales
IT: IT-Service Center Riedberg homepage or contact
Student campus software licenses: www.rz.uni-frankfurt.de/software
HRZ account: www.rz.uni-frankfurt.de/hrz-account
Goethe card: Information or contact
Support services for students from outside Germany: International Student Services
General student support services: Starker Start ins Studium | Centre for Natural Sciences | Schlüsselkompetenzen im Studium
Foreign languages: International Study & Language Centre
Mental problems (e.g. exam nerves, conflicts, mental disorders, suicidal thoughts, migration conflicts):Student Mental Health Counseling Service
Conflicts: Konflikte - Vorbeugen und bearbeiten
BEFORE YOUR STUDIES
Information about the MSc programme structure, modules, and downloads (e.g. for the Module description book) can be found on our website:
Once per year we offer a Zoom-information-event where you can get information on the MSc Biochemistry in Frankfurt and ask all your questions. Please see here (right side) for details.
Detailed information on admission requirements, application modalities, and the application process can be found here.
New enrolments are only possible for the winter semester.
Application deadline: 1.06. - 15.08.
If you are applying from outside Germany/the EU, please ensure that you have a valid visa well before the start of the semester! It is not advisable to arrive in Germany and join the programme after the start of the semester!
COMING TO GERMANY FROM ABROAD
The International Student Services of the Goethe university provide general information and help for students from outside Germany.
Further information on starting your studies in Frankfurt can be found here.
Other useful information on studying in Germany from the German government can be found here.
The International Student Services of the Goethe university provide information on German courses.
Additionally, the International Study & Language Centre (ISZ) provides German classes as study preparation for foreign applicants.
The Buddy Program provides international first-year students with a buddy who is studying in a higher semester and supports them in their orientation at Goethe University. The accompanying buddies can contribute their experience (and receive a certificate for their voluntary commitment).
The goal of the Buddy Program is to give international students a good start to their studies and to contribute to cultural and linguistic exchange at the university.
Sign up for the Buddy Program here.
Internationaler Studientreff (International Student Meeting" (IST)) is a project that helps international students settle in and connect with both German and fellow international students at Goethe University. It offers a variety of free events, including excursions, museum visits, and other recreational activities. Additionally, informational events are held to provide students with tips on studying, living, and leisure activities in Frankfurt.
Check the event calendar here.
VISA & LATE ARRIVAL
If you are applying from outside Germany/the EU, it is of the utmost importance that you have a valid student Visa well before the start of the semester and that you are on site in Frankfurt/Germany for the “Welcome Event” on the first day!!! It is absolutely not advisable to join the study programme after the start of the semester!!!
It's the applicant's own responsibility to take care of all requirements, such as obtaining a Visa and timely arrival in Germany for the first day of the winter semester. The Goethe University cannot assist with visa issues.
The Master's program in Biochemistry must be completed within 7 semesters, or final failure will be faced. So any delay at the start will reduce the time available to graduate.
Attending the I1 Welcome Event, which takes place on the first two days of the winter semester, right at the start of your studies is crucial and part of the compulsory module I1 Study course overview. This event is crucial as it cover essential details on the program structure, study regulations, learning objectives, course selection options, individual choices, and information resources (Goethe-Campus Portal, QIS/LSF, OLAT). Additionally, students will meet professors, teaching staff, and peers. Missing the Welcome Event will severely compromise the ability to navigate the study programme and could jeopardize graduation at all.
Generally, starting late with your studies means missing critical learning content that will be increasingly difficult, if not impossible, to catch up on. The winter term also includes the fundamental courses that are for example prerequisites for the practical courses in the summer term.
Another major problem with late arrivals are seminars and practical courses. They require personal attendance/active participation (you can check the module description book to see what is necessary for successful passing for each module). In such cases you can miss only up to 20 % of the course dates. If you miss more than this, you will fail. Please also note that most modules are only available in certain semesters (winter semester or summer semester).
Starting in the following summer term is equally ill-advised. There is a close connection between the 1st and 2nd semester in our study programme, e.g. you need to have finished certain modules in the winter term for being allowed to enter modules in the summer term (please see the module description book for details). This results in an overall delay of two semesters - one full year - in the studies. The Master's program in Biochemistry must be completed within 7 semesters, or final failure will be faced. So any delay will reduce the time available to graduate.
In this context, it is extremely important that all students in the Master's program in Biochemistry arrive in Frankfurt on the first day of the winter semester! The arrival in Frankfurt is independent of enrolment status
An official letter regarding “Late Arrival in the Master Program Biochemistry” by the Dean of studies can be optained. Contact Dr. Lill
Yes, of course. You are always welcome to reapply. Please remember to withdraw or de-registrate from the current enrolment (see below).
I. Withdrawal from registration is possible for the winter semester until October 31. In this case, you can apply for a refund if you have already paid semester fees.
II. After the October 31 deadline, only de-registration (exmatriculation) is possible.
In both cases, you will no longer have student status and will have to reapply for the coming winter semester.
For further information please visit here.
DURING YOUR STUDIES
Information about the MSc programme structure, modules, and downloads (e.g. for the Module description book) can be found on our website:
Our I1 Welcome Event on the first two days of the semester (full day) provides a comprehensive introduction to the programme, modules and options.
General information about the modules can also be found in our Course catalogue QIS/LSF, with a direct link to the respective OLAT course listed under "Additional Links".
Registration for modules is primarily done via OLAT. There you will also find detailed information on the individual courses.
In the Course catalogue QIS/LSF you can find general information about all the current modules in the MSc Biochemistry, including a direct link to the respective OLAT course listed under "Additional Links".
Registration for modules is then done via OLAT (Online Learning And Training; see course link "Registration" or "Enrolment"). There you will also find more detailed information on the individual courses.
You can find module coordinators and their contact details (phone number, e-mail address, website, location of office) for example via QIS/LSF. Either via the general search function "Search for Persons"by entering the name of the person you are looking for, or in the course overview under each course listing by simply clicking on their name under "Responsible Instructors".
We highly recommend that you attend the I1 Welcome Event at the start of your studies (first 2 days of the winter semester) as you will receive very important information there that immensely help you to kickstart your academic journey with us. This event is an opportunity to meet your lecturers and your fellow students, we will provide you with all the relevant information about the study programme (e.g. getting familiarised with the curriculum, learning objectives, module selection options, information resources) to equip you with all the necessary skills to navigate and succeed in your studies.
Since it is a compulsory seminar, if you miss it you have to attend it at another date. The next possible slot would be on the first 2 days of the start of the next winter term.
In case you have any questions regarding a specific module/course please contact the respective module coordinator, which is listed in in the module description book.
There is compulsory attendance for seminars and practical courses. This information can also be found in detail in the module description book under "Course requirements for credits".
For lectures we don`t have a compulsory attendance. However, you will have to rework the topics taught on the dates you missed on your own. And of course it is always best to attend a lecture in person – you can interact with the lecturer and fellow students, directly ask questions if you don`t understand something etc.
No.
No.
To stay enrolled in the summer semester, you just need to pay the semester fee for the summer term in time. You should receive a reminder from the university beforehand. Information can be found here.
An overview of semester dates can be found here.
TECHNICAL ISSUES
To access all the student services of Goethe University, you use your account at the University Computing Centre - the HRZ account (HRZ=Hochschulrechenzentrum=University Computer Centre).
Your personal HRZ account has been set up automatically when you enrolled and you should have received the respective information. As a first semester student you should have received 3 letters (time-delayed):
1. (HRZ-Account) login and Student-E-Mail address
2. password (from HRZ-Account)
3. iTAN list and Goethe-Card
So an "HRZ account" consists of a login name (user name), password, and a university e-mail address (e.g. s1234567@stud.uni-frankfurt.de = "login"@stud.uni-frankfurt.de). The login name / user name is the front part in your e-mail address (e.g. s1234567). Further information can be found here.
Please note that any university information only goes to this student e-mail address and usually also any conversation regarding your studies is done only via this address, not your personal e-mail address. You can check these student e-mails at Webmail: https://webmail.server.uni-frankfurt.de. Since any university information only goes to this e-mail address please use it regularly!
Please contact the Goethe-Card Service for a new password at: goethecard@rz.uni-frankfurt.de
Or contact our IT Service Center Riedberg by phone at: (069) 798 40029
You will have to authenticate yourself personally on the phone and will then receive further information on how to obtain a new password. A temporary password will be generated and given to you by telephone. Please change the password received by telephone promptly (!) for IT security reasons.
For certain countries and in certain cases we experienced that it can take up to months until the letters with the HRZ account information arrive. Basically, it is safest if you can provide a German address to which your documents can be sent by the university.
In case of problems please contact the Goethe-Card Service at: goethecard@rz.uni-frankfurt.de Or contact our IT Service Center Riedberg by phone at: (069) 798 40029
You can also access/alter your profile at Goethe University at the Goethe Campus Portal: www.goethe-campus.uni-frankfurt.de.
