Life Science Informatics (b-it) University of Bonn

The programme is distinguished by its international orientation, its focus on both natural sciences and IT competence, and its high level of integration of research and teaching. The programme is characterised by a significant number of research lab courses embedded in both basic and applied research at the participating Fraunhofer Institutes of Applied Information Technology (FIT) and for Algorithms and Scientific Computing (SCAI) in cooperation with regional industry.

The Master's programme in Life Science Informatics consists of four main blocks:

• Computer science and mathematics for natural scientists
• Basic principles of life science informatics
• Biology of the cell and systems biology
• Biomedical data science & AI

Major topics include:

• biomedical database systems
• management and retrieval of information
• data mining and machine learning
• statistical genetics
• drug design
• medical imaging and visualisation
• computational neuroscience
• computational modelling of regulatory and metabolic networks
• systems biology and computational systems biology
• analysis of microarrays
• biomedical data science and artificial intelligence

Special courses and internships on information retrieval, data mining, data science and AI provide a special focus on (or within) the important application domain of biomedical information systems, biomedical data science and AI.

The programme also includes training designed to sensitise students to the ethical implications of emerging biotechnologies. The final six months of the programme are dedicated to the Master's thesis, which can be completed in cooperation with partners in the industry.

The course contents are structured according to the ECTS (European Credit Transfer System). The programme consists of three semesters with lectures/lab work, and a Master's thesis which is written in the final, fourth semester. Lectures are usually accompanied by course assignments which have to be successfully completed by the students. Lab work is a substantial part of the programme. Several of the courses are mandatory; many electives are offered in the later semesters.

The programme emphasises the students' early exposure to eminent scientists. Therefore, courses and lecture series with guest researchers who are prominent in their respective fields are offered to students in order to broaden their horizons.

One example of how this is achieved is the LSI's International Lecture Series. Every summer semester, students have the opportunity to discuss current topics from the field of life science informatics with a range of highly experienced, international researchers.

Moreover, company visits and specific workshops for students complement the lecture series by giving students insights into industrial research topics.

RWTH Aachen University and Fraunhofer Institute Campus

Optional: in industry and academia, industry workshops within the programme, company visits

Candidates must hold a first degree awarded by an internationally recognised, university-level institution (Bachelor of Science or Engineering) in biology, medicine, pharmaceutics or computer science, or another closely related discipline. Candidates should have performed well above average in their undergraduate studies. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is strongly recommended.

In particular, applicants must have knowledge equivalent to a one-year course in each of the following subjects: analysis, linear algebra, fundamentals of biochemistry, theoretical biology, in the areas programming, data structures and algorithms, computer organisation and design, fundamentals of theoretical computer science, molecular biology, genetics, cell biology, neurobiology, biodiversity, microbiology and pharmacology.

The University of Bonn is a public university, meaning that it does not charge tuition fees. However, all students must pay the semester fee of about 350 EUR per semester, which covers a Deutschlandsemesterticket (student transit pass for public transport) and statutory accident insurance, among other things.

Students in Bonn can expect to pay around 1,000 EUR a month, with rent accounting for the largest share of their living costs.

The University of Bonn has a central Career Service (www.uni-bonn.de/careerservice), which provides a range of advice and support about choosing a career and applying for jobs. International students can also join the iStart career programme (www.uni-bonn.de/istart), which teaches participants tangible knowledge and valuable skills that will enable them to write successful applications for jobs in Germany.

Moreover, the programme offers specific career services through its alumni, international lecture series and workshops with international lecturers from industry and academia.

Students at the University of Bonn can apply for a room in a dormitory owned by the Studierendenwerk Bonn (see www.studierendenwerk-bonn.de/en/accommodation for more details).

For further information on housing in Bonn, please visit our website at www.uni-bonn.de/living-in-bonn.

International applicants who are admitted to the Master’s programme can apply for a dorm room through the programme coordinator. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that all students will be allotted a room, as these are in short supply.

As the former capital of Germany and the seat of the United Nations in Germany, Bonn is synonymous with internationality and diversity, and this also applies to the university in its capacity as a globally renowned research institution: In addition to research and teaching partnerships around the globe, it is characterised not least by its diverse student body with more than 5,200 international students and doctoral candidates from over 135 countries.

According to the Times Higher Education World University Ranking for 2026, the University of Bonn is one of the most international universities in the world and occupies the top spot within the diverse university landscape of North Rhine-Westphalia. This international orientation has a long tradition, as the university has maintained relationships with universities abroad for a long time. For example, it has interdepartmental cooperation agreements in place with almost 70 universities around the world.

In addition, the University of Bonn cooperates with more than 300 partner universities within the framework of student exchange programmes. The internationality of the University of Bonn is also reflected in its range of courses: There are now 46 international degree programmes, many of which are taught entirely in English or other foreign languages or lead to a double degree with a partner university.

Bonn is a beautiful and historic city located on the banks of the Rhine and is famous as the birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven. At the same time, it is a modern, lively and cosmopolitan city with a high quality of life. Bonn is also the German city of the United Nations, home to 27 UN institutions and many international organisations. With over 5,200 international students from more than 135 countries, the university contributes significantly to the international flair to be found in the city of Bonn.