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The range of part-time distance learning courses in the field of natural sciences is very small compared to other fields such as computer science. Bachelor's degrees in biology, physics, or chemistry are not offered at all by state universities as part of distance learning.
With Springer Campus, at least one private provider offers distance learning in chemistry and biology. In addition, there is a growing range of part-time degree programs that predominantly have natural science study content - both at state universities and private universities.
All of these distance learning courses in the field of natural sciences as well as the courses in mathematics are presented in detail on this page.
All distance learning courses in the field of natural sciences
We have a total of 18 courses in the field of Natural Sciences.
Mathematics
- University of Hagen
- 6 Semester
- German
The distance learning Bachelor's programme in Mathematics at FernUni is a full-time, professionally qualifying university course in mathematics, upon successful completion of which the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science …
Labor and quality management
- CEC Saar
- 4 Semester
- German
- Internal quality assurance of measurement and test methods (control charts), validation / verification of measurement and test methods - application i…
Energy management
- University of Koblenz
- 5 Semester
- Koblenz
- German
- Applied Technical Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer, Applied Electrical Energy Engineering, Project and Quality Management, Measurement and Control Eng…
Environmental science
- University of Hagen
- 4 Semester
- German
The part-time Master's programme in Environmental Sciences at the FernUniversität Hagen is designed for professionals in the fields of business, science, and administration who wish to acquire interdisciplinary knowledge in …
Applied Environmental Sciences
- University of Koblenz
- 5 Semester
- Koblenz
- German
- Ecology, Earth Sciences, Environmental Chemistry / Environmental Toxicology, General Environmental Law, Special Environmental Law, Environmental Econo…
Water + Environment
- Bauhaus University Weimar
- 6 Semester
- German
- Environmental law, water resources management, river engineering, watercourse development planning, flood management, connectivity and habitat modelli…
Mathematics
- University of Hagen
- 4 Semester
- German
This Master's programme is a second, professional university course in mathematics building on a bachelor's degree in mathematics, leading to the degree of "Master of Science" (M.Sc.) in Mathematics upon …
Management for Engineering and Natural Sciences
- Institute for Collaborative Studies
- 5 Semester
- German
- Financial Management, Value Creation Management, Strategy & Leadership, Digital Management, Interdisciplinarity, Financial Statement Analysis, Managem…
Chemical Process Engineering
- Wilhelm Büchner University
- 7 Semester
- German
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of Chemical Process Engineering with the Bachelor's degree programme at Wilhelm Büchner University. Over 7 semesters, you will gain not only technical know-how in …
Energy industry and management
- Wilhelm Büchner University
- 6 Semester
- German
Enter the dynamic world of energy economics with the Bachelor's degree programme in Energy Economics and Management at Wilhelm Büchner University. This 6-semester distance learning course prepares you for the …
Construction bionics
- Centre for Distance Learning in the University Consortium
- 6 Semester
- German
- General Biology and Bionics I, Physiology for Engineers, Introduction to Bionics / Bionic Elective, Fundamentals of Bionic Product Development, Shape …
Water and Environment
- Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz University Hannover
- 6 Semester
- German
- Water management and hydrology, ecology of water bodies, urban water management, hydromechanics, planning, approval, and economics, English for Water …
Biology for Laboratory Technicians in Biomolecular Professions
- Springer Campus
- 8 Semester
- German
- Biochemistry I & Cell Biology, Chemistry I (General and Inorganic Chemistry), Genetics & Molecular Biology, Genetic Engineering & Cell Culture, Chemis…
Life Science Engineering
- Institute for Collaborative Studies
- 5 Semester
- German
- Project Management, Advanced Mathematics, Life Science Engineering, Aseptic Production, Instrumental Quality Control, Applied Statistics, Bioprocess E…
Biotechnology
- Springer Campus
- 5 Semester
- German
- Bioprocess engineering, Biotechnological work, Molecular Biotechnology, Upstream Processing, Downstream Processing, Industrial Cell Culture Technology…
Sustainability management
- SRH Distance Learning University - The Mobile University
- 6 Semester
- German
- Scientific Working, Self-Management, Sustainable Management - Foundations, General Business Administration, General Economics, Introduction to Natural…
Computational Chemistry
- Wilhelm Büchner University
- 3 Semester
- German
The Master's programme in Computational Chemistry at Wilhelm Büchner University offers in-depth knowledge in the field of computer-based chemical research and analysis. Students learn how to use advanced computational methods …
Overview of universities offering courses in natural sciences
Unlike universities, degree programs at universities of applied sciences are much more practice-oriented. This is no different in the field of natural sciences. The manageable offering of German-language degree programs in one of the natural sciences focuses on distance universities of applied sciences.
University of Hagen: FernUni Hagen is the only state distance university in Germany. In the winter semester 2019/2020, over 76,000 students were enrolled in one of the courses at FernUni. Unfortunately, FernUni currently does not offer any distance learning courses in the field of natural sciences. This means that at Fernuniversity, you cannot study chemistry, physics, biology, or any other natural science. However, at FernUni, you can enroll in the interdisciplinary master's program in Environmental Sciences. The course combines topics from legal studies, social sciences, and business administration as well as natural and engineering sciences. In addition, you can also study mathematics part-time at FernUni Hagen.
Wilhelm Büchner University: WBH is one of the largest private universities of applied sciences in the field of information science and engineering. In the winter semester 2019/2020, approximately 6,000 students were enrolled at the university. Although WBH does not offer degree programs in the field of natural sciences, some of the engineering distance learning programs also touch on natural science subjects. For example, the bachelor's degree program in Chemical Process Engineering and the bachelor's degree program in Energy Economics and Management.
Springer Campus: Springer Campus is an offering of Springer Nature Switzerland AG. Springer Campus cooperates with German state universities and currently offers unique distance learning courses in biology and chemistry. The distance courses are aimed at trained laboratory technicians. Cooperation universities include Reutlingen University, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, and Esslingen University. Students are enrolled at one of these universities for the final semester of distance learning and then receive their bachelor's or master's degree from the partner university.
Verbundstudium: The Institute for Cooperative Studies NRW combines the range of part-time degree programs offered by all state universities of applied sciences in North Rhine-Westphalia. Distance learning programs are offered in the fields of information science and engineering. Unfortunately, the network currently does not offer distance learning programs in the field of natural sciences. Exception: the Master's distance learning program in Life Science Engineering, which combines topics from natural sciences with topics from the health sciences.
Central Office for Distance Learning in the University Consortium: ZFH is a scientific institution of the states of Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, and Saarland and offers distance study programs for a total of 21 universities of applied sciences in these states. Currently, the Bachelor's degree program in Medicine and Biomedical Sciences is offered in the field of natural sciences. The integrated degree program combines MTLA training with a bachelor's degree and is organized by the University of Kaiserslautern or the Technical University of Bingen. In addition, the Master's distance learning program in Construction Bionics is offered in cooperation with the University of Technology and Economy of Saarland.
Rhineland-Palatinate Technical University Kaiserslautern-Landau : Kaiserslautern Technical University is a state university. The university offers a range of distance learning courses through its Distance and Independent Studies Center. The Bachelor's distance learning program in Medical Physics is currently offered in the field of natural sciences.
Chemistry in Distance Learning
Currently, you can study chemistry by distance learning at 2 universities. There are also some opportunities to study chemistry part-time in face-to-face studies.
Through Springer Campus, you can currently study chemistry by distance learning in 9 semesters. This offer is unique in Germany, but it does come at a cost. Springer Campus cooperates with Reutlingen University. This means that you write your bachelor's thesis at Reutlingen University towards the end of your studies.
For admission to the program, the following is required:
- You have a high school diploma or a technical college entrance qualification.
- Or you have successfully completed a vocational training, for example, as a chemical laboratory assistant or CTA. Following your training, you have gained at least 3 years of relevant work experience.
- You are still working in a relevant field during the first two years of your studies.
The program is indeed a pure distance learning course. Students only have 2 attendance phases totaling 4 weeks. Otherwise, the study content is conveyed through numerous study booklets and online tutorials.
The program costs a total of 17,650 euros. Students pay the tuition fees in a total of 18 installments of 980.56 euros each.
The Chemical Process Engineering distance learning program at the private Wilhelm Büchner University lasts 7 performance semesters and covers 210 ECTS. The program leads to a B.Sc.
The course is divided into a basic study and a core and specialization study. The study schedule looks as follows:
- 1st semester: Mathematics I, Introduction to Natural Science Engineering Basics, Fundamentals of Computer Science, Fundamentals of Business Administration and Legal Basics, Introduction Project Bachelor
- 2nd semester: Mathematics II, Natural Science Engineering Basics, Introduction to Electrical Engineering and Electronics, Communication and Management
- 3rd semester: Chemical Reactions and Materials, Physical Chemistry, Technical Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics with Laboratory, Technical Mechanics
- 4th semester: Measurement Technology, Design Theory and Machine Elements, Heat and Mass Transfer, Control Engineering with Laboratory
- 5th semester: CAD Techniques and Finite Element Simulation, Reaction Engineering, Mechanical Process Engineering, Thermal Process Engineering
- 6th semester: Technical Chemistry, Apparatus and Plant Engineering, Process Engineering Laboratory
- 7th semester: Engineering Science Project, Elective Area III, Bachelor's Thesis and Colloquium
The university offers a variety of elective modules through which students can delve into their chosen subject areas, such as Pharmaceutical Processes, Energy Efficiency and Sustainability, Fundamentals of Innovation and Technology Management, Logistics and Material Flow Management, Marketing and Technical Sales, Energy Systems, Energy and Environment, Safety in Chemical Production, and Biochemical Engineering.
Compared to the Chemistry distance learning program through Springer Campus, this program is more practice-oriented and also encompasses engineering topics. The program also consists of 210 credit points. With tuition fees of 14,681 euros, it may not be necessarily cheaper. However, the tuition fees are paid in monthly installments of 333 euros each.
Biology in Distance Learning
In the field of Biology, there are currently 5 bachelor's and master's degree programs that you can complete through distance learning or part-time studies. The only pure Biology degree program is offered by Springer Campus in cooperation with JGU Mainz.
Here is an overview of all Biology distance learning programs:
| Course | University | Duration | Course contents | Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology for Laboratory Technicians in Biomolecular Professions, Bachelor of Science Distance learning program | Springer Campus | 8 Semester | Biochemistry I & Cell Biology, Chemistry I (General and Inorganic Chemistry), Genetics & Molecular Biology, Genetic Engineering & Cell Culture, Chemis… | from 14280 € total | |
| Biotechnology, Master of Science Distance learning program | Springer Campus | 5 Semester | Bioprocess engineering, Biotechnological work, Molecular Biotechnology, Upstream Processing, Downstream Processing, Industrial Cell Culture Technology… | from 17866 € total | |
| Business Administration, Master of Business Administration Part-time program | University of Potsdam | 4 Semester | Financial Management, Accounting & Law, Leadership Strategic Management, Business Development, Sales, Procurement, Management Skills & Negotiations, D… | from 19000 € total | |
| Medical Biotechnology, Bachelor of Science Distance learning program | Centre for Distance Learning in the University Consortium | 7 Semester | Mathematics, Chemistry, Micro- and Cell Biology, Immunology, Fundamentals of Computer Science, Physics, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Anatomy and P… | from 3045 € total | |
| Medicine and Biological Sciences, Bachelor of Science Distance learning program | Centre for Distance Learning in the University Consortium | 9 Semester | Mathematics, Non-technical and technical elective subjects, Computer Science and Statistics, Chemistry, Physics, Medicine, Medical conditions, Biology… | from 265 € Semester fee |
The Biology distance learning program through Springer Campus lasts for a total of 8 semesters and covers 180 credit points. Springer Campus conducts this program in cooperation with the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz.
For admission, the following is required:
- You have a high school diploma. Additionally, you have completed a relevant vocational training, such as a laboratory assistant training. By the end of the distance program, you must also demonstrate a total of 2 years of relevant work experience.
- Or you have a secondary school leaving certificate or a technical college entrance qualification or a specialized university entrance qualification. Additionally, you have completed a relevant vocational training, such as a laboratory assistant training. By the end of the distance program, you must also demonstrate a total of 3 years of relevant work experience.
The following professions are considered relevant: Technical assistants and laboratory assistants in the fields of biology, chemistry, pharmacy, medicine, and agricultural technology, as well as pharmaceutical and chemical technicians.
The curriculum consists of a total of 15 modules. Students work through textbooks and study scripts on their own. The 2 attendance modules of two weeks each take place at JGU Mainz. The distance program is complemented by virtual classrooms and online tutorials.
The cost of the program is a total of 14,128 euros. The amount is paid in 16 installments of 883 euros each.
Physics in Distance Learning
Currently, there is no pure Physics distance learning program in Germany. However, the Technical University of Kaiserslautern offers the Master's distance learning program in Medical Physics. The program is mainly aimed at individuals working in or wanting to work in the areas of medical radiation physics, laser physics, or imaging processing.
The Master's program lasts for a total of 6 semesters and covers 120 ECTS.
The following is required for admission:
- You have completed a university degree in an engineering or physics-technical field.
- You can demonstrate relevant work experience of at least 1 year following your studies.
The study content is conveyed through a total of 21 modules. The study schedules also follow the training recommendations of the German Society for Medical Physics e.V. (DGMP). The modules are: Anatomy and Physiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, Biometry, especially Statistics, Computer Science: Fundamentals and Applications in Medicine, Medical Technology, Legal Framework for Handling Medical Technology, Organizational and Legal Principles in Healthcare, Introduction to Radiation Protection, Fundamentals of Radiological Physics, Physics and Technology of Radiotherapy, Fundamentals of Dosimetry, Physics and Technology of Nuclear Medicine, Physics and Technology of X-ray Diagnostics, Medical Optics, Basics of Lasers, Medical Applications of Lasers, Specialized Knowledge in Medical Laser Application, Physics and Technology of Ultrasound Application in Medicine, Imaging and Image Processing in Medicine, Physical Measuring Techniques in Medicine, Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy.
In addition, students of this course receive a number of additional certifications. Integrated into the distance program are a course on Radiation Protection for Medical Physics Experts (Basic and Special Course), a course for Laser Safety Officers, and a course for Safety Officers for Medical Products.
The tuition fees for this Master's program are only 690 euros per semester. In addition, there are approximately 100 euros per semester for social contributions to TU Kaiserslautern and a fee of 500 euros for the Master's thesis.
Environmental Sciences: The Interdisciplinary Study
Environmental sciences is an interdisciplinary research field that combines topics of natural sciences, social and humanities sciences in part.
While the range of distance learning programs is quite extensive, they mainly consist of Master's programs. The following table lists the range of distance learning programs in the field of environmental sciences:
| Course | University | Duration | Course contents | Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Environmental Sciences, Master of Science Distance learning program | University of Koblenz | 5 Semester | Ecology, Earth Sciences, Environmental Chemistry / Environmental Toxicology, General Environmental Law, Special Environmental Law, Environmental Econo… | from 7332 € total from 1198 € Semester fee | |
| Energy industry and management, Bachelor of Science Distance learning program | Wilhelm Büchner University | 6 Semester | General basics and Intercultural Studies, elective module Language, Basics of Economics, Basics of Technology, Computer Science, Value Chain Managemen… | from 12201 € total from 237 € monthly | |
| Energy management, Master of Science Distance learning program | University of Koblenz | 5 Semester | Applied Technical Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer, Applied Electrical Energy Engineering, Project and Quality Management, Measurement and Control Eng… | from 5990 € total from 1198 € Semester fee | |
| Environmental Engineering, Bachelor of Engineering Distance learning program | IU International University | 6 Semester | Introduction to Scientific Work, Basics of Mathematics, Representation: Basics, Basics of Chemistry, Applied Ecology: Basics, Project: Applied Ecology… | from 15063 € total from 259 € monthly | |
| Environmental science, Master of Science Distance learning program | University of Hagen | 4 Semester | Corporate Sustainability Management, Transnational Governance in Environmental Policy, Market-Oriented Sustainability Management, Environmental Psycho… | from 7950 € total from 1650 € Semester fee | |
| Environmental technology and recycling, Diplom-Ingenieur Distance learning program | University of West Saxony Zwickau | 5 Semester | Fundamentals of Physico-chemical Engineering, Environmental Measurement Technology, Biological and Medical Aspects of Environmental Engineering, Envir… | from 2450 € total from 490 € Semester fee | |
| Water + Environment, Master of Science Distance learning program | Bauhaus University Weimar | 6 Semester | Environmental law, water resources management, river engineering, watercourse development planning, flood management, connectivity and habitat modelli… | from 7527 € total | |
| Water and Environment, Master of Science Distance learning program | Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz University Hannover | 6 Semester | Water management and hydrology, ecology of water bodies, urban water management, hydromechanics, planning, approval, and economics, English for Water … | from 7574 € total |
The Master's distance learning program in Environmental Sciences at FernUni Hagen is conducted in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety, and Energy Technology UMSICHT. The program is offered in various variants: as a 60 ECTS Master's in 4 semesters, as a 90 ECTS Master's in 6 semesters, and as a 120 ECTS Master's in 8 semesters.
Needed for admission are:
- You have completed a first degree at a university or university of applied sciences.
- Following on from your studies, you have worked for at least 1 year.
- You write a letter of motivation.
The study contents are taught in various subject areas. Accordingly, there are modules from legal, social and economic sciences, modules from natural and engineering sciences as well as interdisciplinary cross-cutting topics. Modules include: Operational Sustainability Management; Transnational Governance in Environmental Policy; Market-Oriented Sustainability Management; Environmental Psychology; Environmental Economics; Environmental Law; Environmental Politics; Environmental Mediation; Natural Science Perspective on Climate Science; Water, Ecology, and Environmental Chemistry; Waste Management and Substitutes; Sustainable Energy Supply: Energy Plants
About the Author Christian Wolf
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