Life Sciences Nutrition (Bachelor of Science)

With a Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences Nutrition, you are taking on a challenge for society as a whole. In industrialized countries, nutrition is characterized by abundance, which often leads to health problems due to poor diet, allergies and intolerances. In contrast, other countries struggle with under- and malnutrition, which also leads to massive health problems. In order to be able to confront these problems, we provide you with a deep understanding of human nutritional needs.

Based on scientific knowledge, supplemented by practical experience in the methodology of nutritional research, you will acquire extensive expertise in the physiological effects of nutrients and the underlying molecular and biochemical processes in the body. Research in nutritional science is increasingly focusing on so-called "personalized nutrition", which aims to take into account the individual needs of the metabolism in nutritional interventions. One size fits all does not normally work. There is still an enormous need for research before such individual nutritional recommendations can be made. You will use this knowledge to test and evaluate new foods in terms of their nutritional value, needs assessment, physiological effects and safety. You will be involved in research into nutrition-related diseases such as obesity, diabetes and cancer, and use the findings of nutrition research to tackle the problems of the 21st century.

With the combination of theory and practice from nutrition research, human medicine, food science, bioscience and public health in the Life Sciences Nutrition study program, which is unique in Germany, you will be well prepared for your professional future in the field of nutrition science.

The effect of nutrition on the human metabolism is a central topic for health improvement. Your knowledge of modern nutrition, human medicine and food science qualifies you for a job in research, nutritional medicine and industrial food production. Your field of activity extends from clinical research to product development and public health education. There is also a variety of career opportunities in the field of food safety and in consulting for public and private healthcare providers with a special focus on personalized nutrition.

However, if you do not want to jump straight into the working world after your successful bachelor's degree, but are still thirsty for knowledge, we recommend a more advanced master's program, for example "Nutrition and Biomedicine".

Right from the beginning of your studies, you will be involved in areas such as human nutrition and physiology, in addition to deepening your knowledge in the fundamentals of biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics. From the third semester onwards, modules such as Nutrition Physiology, Microbiology, Nutrition Medicine and Experimental Nutrition Research will be the main focus.

Besides, you will use various methods and practical exercises in the laboratory to investigate how nutrition affects the development of diseases and the extent to which nutritional interventions influence treatment. Besides, you can strengthen your interests individually through elective modules. At the end of your studies, you will answer a research question on a topic of your choice in your Bachelor's thesis.

Sounds right up your street? Then take a look at the curriculum!

After your successful completion of the Bachelor’s in Life Sciences Nutrition, you will not only have a sound basic knowledge of the natural sciences but also interdisciplinary skills in the fields of human medicine, nutritional science, food sciences, life sciences and healthcare. This will enable you to assess the causes and consequences of malnutrition and to use your laboratory experience to research which treatment options are appropriate.

Through your methodical and technical approach and the various experimental research methods, you can design experiments and carry them out in practice. Besides, you will have gained some practical experience in conducting clinical trials. You will work independently in a solution-oriented manner on complex issues. You will present your results confidently and be able to debate with colleagues at a scientific level.

Your in-depth knowledge of the physiological processes involved in the regulation of hunger and satiety, the digestion and absorption of food, the transport processes and storage of nutrients, endocrine and neuronal communication, the interaction between nutrition and the immune system, and the importance of essential and dispensable nutrients will make you an expert in the field. Furthermore, you can build your profile through your elective modules.

During the application period you can easily apply for a place in the winter semester via the application portal TUMonline. You simply upload your admission documents to the Life Sciences Nutrition program directly on the portal.

Prerequisite for admission is the general university entrance qualification or a comparable qualification. After your documents have been reviewed, you will receive immediate admission, rejection, or an invitation to take an online test, depending on the score you achieve.

The test takes 30 minutes. The date for the test will be published before the application deadline.

In the test you should show that you have

• can link knowledge acquired in school and beyond from different disciplines,
• can describe and quantify life science processes using the scientific disciplines of biology, chemistry, physics as well as mathematical and statistical methods,
• have knowledge of current, socially relevant and publicly discussed challenges in science, especially in nutrition science, medicine and economics, and can describe current approaches to solutions and research topics.

If you are subsequently admitted, you must submit a few certified hard copies for enrollment.

A pre-study internship prior to the start of your studies is not required for admission. A letter of motivation is also not required for the application.

The admissions process of the degree program is described in the admission regulations of the study program.

• Curriculum
  The degree chart gives you an overview and recommendation, which modules you should take in which semester according to academic and examination regulations (FPSO).
   
• Timetable (TUM ID required for login):
  This timetable is intended to give you an overview of the planned compulsory and elective modules of a semester. It is for orientation purposes only and will not be updated during the semester! 
  
  Via TUMonline you can have a timetable created for each semester according to FSPO.
  
  You can also create your own individual timetable, which can contain not only the dates of the selected courses, but also your personal appointments.
  
  First steps with TUMonline

• General Academic and Examination Regulations at TUM (APSO)
• Academic and Examination Regulations (FPSO)
  • Regulations on the aptitude assessment
  • Academic and Examination Regulations 20211 (from start of degree program WS 21/22
• Examination dates & registration via TUMonline

  In TUMonline you can register for the module examinations that accompany your studies. 

  Important: You can only take most of the exams if you have actively registered yourself via TUMonline within the registration period. The registration and deregistration period will be displayed at the exam date.

  Further examination matters

  • Academic progress check
  • Examinations
  • Recognitions
  • Theses
• Board of Examination
  The board of examination is a committee consisting of university professors and lecturers of the degree program. The chairperson of the board of examination of your degree program is Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Martin Klingenspor. Applications to the board of examination are received by the secretary and submitted to the board of examination for decision. You can reach the secretary by sending an email to examination.co@ls.tum.de.

A pre-study internship before the start of the course is not required for admission.

More information about

• Internships
• Excursions

Bus connection Weihenstephan – Garching