As wide as biotechnology and its areas of research are, as diverse is the range of courses of study in Germany: Biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, molecular medicine, agrobiology and many, many more are offered to students throughout Germany. Biochemistry for example is a subdivision of molecular biosciences, which deals with the chemistry of living organisms and their life processes on the level of organic and inorganic substances. The course of studies is similar to chemistry or biology studies, but with special disciplines above all in the main study period (after the intermediate examination). In turn future biotechnologists study in a strongly practice-oriented manner. They work interdisciplinarily with technical disciplines such as measuring and control engineering or bio-process engineering alongside chemical and biological disciplines.

According to the course of studies and desired final qualification, budding biotechnology experts spend their student life in universities or universities of applied sciences. The polytechnics teach knowledge in a strongly practically orientated and job related way, and sequences and contents are predetermined most of the times. In this regard students at universities can design their work more flexibly, and the content is often more diverse and more scientifically orientated. Therefore university students generally require several semesters longer than polytechnic students, before they get the longed for leaving certificate. A doctorate is the next step towards a professional future for some, but others head straight for the work place after completing their studies.