Chemistry
Chemistry (Teaching degree)
Chemistry teachers are more in demand than ever before! If you are interested in science and would like to pass on your knowledge to others, then a teaching degree in teaching chemistry at secondary school (Gymnasium) might be just right for you. As well as exciting course content, you can expect varied laboratory courses and placements in schools and industry. As a chemistry teacher, you can work both in a laboratory and with children and young people. Don’t miss the opportunity to join the growing community of committed chemistry teachers.
- Degree
- Teaching degree
- Duration of studies in semester
- 7 - 9
- Start of degree program
- Winter semester
- Study location
- Erlangen, Nuremberg
- Number of students
- 50-150
- Subject group
- Teaching Degree, Mathematics, Natural sciences
- Teaching language
- completely in German
- Admission Requirements
- No Admissions Restrictions
What is the degree program about?
The subject content of the degree program is largely determined by the Bavarian State Ministry of Education and includes an introduction to inorganic, organic and physical chemistry, as well as physics as a minor subject. Like in the Bachelor’s degree program, the theory learned in lectures and seminars is put into practice in a number of laboratory courses. In the teaching degree program, tutorials on giving presentations and carrying out experiments are also part of the timetable. In these tutorials you learn how to include chemical experiments in chemistry classes in a useful and professional way. If you are studying to become a teacher at secondary school (Gymnasium) you can take specialist lectures from all three sub-disciplines of chemistry and complete a placement that will allow you to look beyond the horizon of teaching at schools and learn more about chemistry research.
Specialist knowledge is very important for chemistry teachers. The challenge at school is to share this knowledge in a way that is appropriate for school pupils. In light of this, you will learn about teaching chemistry from both the teacher’s and the pupil’s perspective. You will learn how to teach pupils to think and work in a way that is appropriate for the natural sciences, which teaching methods work well for chemistry, what the rules and conditions for teaching chemistry are, what makes a successful chemistry lesson and, above all, how to design experiments for pupils which will enrich your teaching. During your studies, you will also have the opportunity to practice guiding pupils in their experiments.
Detailed information on studying for a teaching degree and on the individual types of schools is available on the information page for teaching degrees (from the ZfL) and the teaching degree website of the Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy.
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Different subject combinations are available depending on the type of school. The following website shows what you can study in combination with a teaching degree in chemistry at FAU: zfl.fau.de/education-studium/lehramt-studieren
While studying chemistry, you attend lectures, seminars and practical laboratory courses in inorganic, organic and physical chemistry and in how to teach these subjects. The teaching degree program is a state examination program and is offered in German only. Further information on the degree program (for instance study plans, GOP, points of contact or examination matters, …) is available on the teaching degree website of the Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy. Students also attend courses from their combination subjects, education science, free electives and complete several placements in schools and industry. Depending on the type of school, the standard duration of study varies between 7 and 9 semesters. -
When choosing a teaching degree in chemistry, you have the option of choosing a specific type of school:
In the teaching degree program in chemistry at secondary school (Gymnasium), you have to decide on two (specified) subjects that make up the main part of your study content – at FAU, there is a choice between chemistry and biology, chemistry and geography, chemistry and computer science and chemistry and English. The teaching degree program for grammar schools is taught almost exclusively in Erlangen. In addition to learning the theory in chemistry and teaching chemistry, you also have the opportunity to work in a laboratory. One third of the program includes laboratory courses in inorganic, organic and physical chemistry, which, in addition to teaching you laboratory techniques and subject knowledge, also gives you insights into modern research.
In the teaching degree program in chemistry at secondary school (Realschule), you also choose two main subjects – at FAU you can choose between chemistry and biology, chemistry and English, chemistry and mathematics, and chemistry and physics. The amount of theoretical content here is less than for the teaching degree for secondary schools (Gymnasium). Of course, the required theoretical and practical knowledge in inorganic, organic and physical chemistry is also taught here along with training in how to teach the respective subjects and in education science, but in this instance education science, free electives and the mandatory school internships play a greater role. Please note that most courses are held in Nuremberg.
In the teaching degree program in chemistry for elementary and middle schools (Grund- und Mittelschule), you select three additional subjects in teaching methodology from subject groups specified according to the type of school in addition to the main subject of chemistry in order to be as broadly positioned as possible. As well as subject-related lectures and laboratory courses, this degree program also focuses on teaching methodology in general and obligatory school placements. Here, too, a large part of the teaching takes place in Nuremberg. -
Due to the modular structure of the degree program, a previous knowledge of chemistry is of increasing importance. Having a broad interest in science is definitely beneficial, as a basic knowledge of physics is also required and may have to be learned. The most important thing when studying for a teaching degree in chemistry, however, is that you have an interest in the material so that you enjoy your studies, even at times when it may get a little stressful.
You will need to be good at organizing your own time as the study plan for teaching degree programs is not completely set out for you. You must make some decisions yourself as to which courses and examinations fit into your study plan best and make sure that you do not take on too much at once.
As a trainee teacher, you should enjoy working with children and young people and supporting them in their development. The obligatory 3-week long orientation placement, that can also be completed before you start studying, allows you to test whether you enjoy working with young people if you are still unsure. -
We are on hand to help when you start studying a teaching degree in chemistry: before the first semester starts, we offer a bridging course in chemistry to allow you to refresh what you learned at school and meet fellow students for the first time. In addition, the Chemistry Department and the Center for Teacher Education (ZfL) regularly offer information events on current topics such as starting your studies, drawing up a schedule, work placements, writing your thesis etc.
We welcome anyone who dares to explore other cultures and are also happy to assist you with arranging a semester or traineeship abroad with ERASMUS+ and other exchange programs.
At FAU, you can apply to study for a Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in parallel to the State Examination, which makes it easier to enter the job market and in particular to have your teaching qualifications recognized abroad. -
Due to the acute lack of teachers, science teachers are currently in greater demand than ever before, regardless of the type of school. Teachers for elementary and middle schools (Grund- und Mittelschule) and secondary schools (Realschule) are particularly in demand. However, the need for specialist teachers has also increased significantly at the highest level of secondary school, Gymnasium.
As FAU also offers students studying for a teaching degree the option to acquire a Bachelor’s/Master’s degree, this paves the way to interesting alternative career paths in industry.
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The bridging course for chemistry is held from September 30 to October 11, 2024 for all those studying chemistry either as a major or a minor subject. All relevant information is available here.
Under certain conditions, students in all teaching degree programs (Lehramt) can attain the academic degree of “Bachelor” pursuant to LAPO on application usually after 6 semesters. The type of Bachelor degree awarded depends on the type of school you are studying for and the subjects chosen, if applicable. Further information is available on the Center for Teacher Education (ZfL) website.
Subject combinations:- Grundschule (elementary school)
- Mittelschule (lower secondary school)
- Realschule (secondary school)
- Gymnasium (grammar school)
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- Admission requirements (first semester)
- No Admissions Restrictions
- Application deadline winter semester
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30.09.
Language skills
- German language skills for international applicants
- DSH 2 or equivalent
- General language skills
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German C1/C2
- Details and notes
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The application deadline for the winter semester for international applicants is July 15.
The teaching degree program in chemistry is generally not subject to admission restrictions. However, please note that certain admission restrictions may apply depending on the choice of certain combination subjects. Certain subjects require a qualification assessment process, advance registration or an aptitude test. These requirements can change at any time. More detailed information on the relevant subjects and how you can meet their admission requirements is available together with the deadlines on the FAU website. Please check in good time.
In addition to the general university entrance qualification (allgemeine Hochschulreife – Abitur), there are other entrance qualifications that allow you to study at FAU.
Do you need help or more information?
Our Student Advice and Career Service (IBZ) is the central point of contact for all questions about studying and starting a degree programme. Our Student Service Centres and subject advisors support you in planning your studies.