The Curriculum for

The Study Board for Science
Programme titles:
  • Bachelor i biokemi og molekylærbiologi
ECTS value: 180
Cities: Odense
Semesters: Autumnx
Effective date: 01-09-2023
Applicable for students enrolled as of: 01-09-2020

Version: Archive

§ 1 - Description of the Programme

§ 1.1 - Programme

Programme titles

(Bachelor of Science (BSc))

Ministerial orders

Bekendtgørelse om ændring af bekendtgørelse om ankenævn for afgørelser om merit i universitetsuddannelser (meritankenævnsbekendtgørelsen) (BEK nr 880 af 26/08/2019)

Bekendtgørelse om ankenævn for afgørelser om merit i universitetsuddannelser (meritankenævnsbekendtgørelsen) (BEK nr 1517 af 16/12/2013)

Bekendtgørelse om universitetsuddannelser tilrettelagt på heltid (BEK nr 2285 af 01/12/2021)

Bekendtgørelse om adgang til universitetsuddannelser tilrettelagt på heltid (BEK nr 69 af 26/01/2023)

Bekendtgørelse om talentinitiativer på de videregående uddannelser på Uddannelses- og Forskningsministeriets område (talentbekendtgørelsen) (BEK nr 597 af 08/03/2015)

Bekendtgørelse om eksamener og prøver ved universitetsuddannelser (BEK nr 2271 af 01/12/2021)

Bekendtgørelse om karakterskala ved uddannelser på Uddannelses- og Forskningsministeriets område (BEK nr 1125 af 04/07/2022)

ECTS value

180

Academic Study Board

The Study Board for Science

Language

Danish

Cities

Odense

Semesters

Autumn

Level

Bachelor

§ 1.2 - Aim of Programme, including any professional profile and specialisations

Cf. Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen §§ 1-4

 The Bachelor and Master’s programmes are independent research-based educational courses with a set amount of ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer System) aiming to make the student qualified to independently perform professional functions based on knowledge and practical proficiencies in several subject areas. A subject area consists of a single subject or a group of related subjects within the natural sciences. 

The aim of the Bachelors’s programme is to:

  1. expand the student’s academic knowledge and proficiencies and increase the theoretical and methodical qualifications and skills with a higher level of independence compared to the Bachelor programme.
  2. give the student an academic immersion through the application of advanced elements within the disciplines and methods of the subject areas, including training in scientific work and methods which will develop the student’s skills in performing specialised professional functions along with participating in work related to scientific development and,
  3. qualify the student for further education, including the ph.d. programme.


Additional provisions of the Study Board

The BSc and MSc programmes in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology revolve around the chemical processes that take place in the cell, between cells and between organs; processes that create the dynamics that characterise the living organism. Biochemistry is also ‘the chemistry of life’. Molecular biology describes how the genetic information contained in the genes of DNA is expressed in each cell and transferred from the original mother cell to the daughter cells during cell division. The boundary between these two scientific disciplines is no longer clearly defined because the expression of genetic information is also a biochemical process, while the biochemical reactions of the cell are regulated via gene expression. Biochemistry and molecular biology also involve fundamental parts of cell biology, genetics and microbiology. In addition, bioinformatics, which is computer-based interpretation of complex experimental data, is playing an increasingly important role. Biochemistry and molecular biology apply knowledge and methods from other scientific disciplines – especially chemistry – but biology, mathematics and physics are also necessary prerequisites for fully understanding the theory and experimental part of the subjects.


The main purpose of the Bachelor programme in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is to educate undergraduates who have: 

  • The application of molecular biology and biomedicine in relation to the field of science
  • basic insight into the key concepts of molecular biology and biochemistry 
  • particular focus on experimental and practical skills, as Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is essentially an experimental discipline 
  • qualifications aimed at an advanced research-based course of study
Learning outcome
The learning outcome for the programmes of the Faculty of Science is described in accordance with the Danish “Qualifications Framework for Higher Education” through three general categories:
  • Knowledge: This category is related to the specific programme or the specific course and covers the level of comprehension and reflection within a subject area in relation to the terms, theories, methods and scientific problems of the area. 
  • Skills: This category is aimed explicitly at the performance of practical skills, professional ethics and responsibility.  
  • Competences: This category entails the graduate’s personal and independent application of knowledge and skills. These competences are universal, not limited to the individual programme or course. Instead, they include skills such as analysis and abstract thinking, an attitude for learning, the ability to participate in academic and interdisciplinary collaboration, communicative skills and the graduate’s ability to acquire new knowledge and structure his/her own learning.

§ 1.3 - Didactic and pedagogical basis

The didactic and pedagogical foundation of the programme is based on SDU’s leading principles about activating teaching and active learning. This is implemented in practical science by the application of the three-phase-model for teaching, the three phases being introduction, training and studying. 

In the introductory phase the joint reference frame for theory, models and terms is established through the teacher’s use of varied teaching methods. 
The training phase is utilised by the students to obtain their own experiences and to immerse themselves in the material through active work and dialogue with the teacher.
The study phase is a learning environment unaffiliated with the teacher and where the student independently acquires academic, personal and social skills in relation to an understanding of and immersion in the subject of science.
 
Content, standard and learning activities for the individual subjects within the first year of the Bachelor programme are planned in accordance with the requirements of the programme. The teachers responsible for courses which directly build on knowledge from the qualifying youth education will always be informed of the admission requirements and have access to information about the academic content of the central qualifying subjects from the youth education.
 
The form of examination for the specific courses is selected in consideration of several factors. There must be a clear coherence between the purpose, content, learning activities and examination of the specific course, so that the exam result of the specific course reflects how well the student fulfils the learning objectives of the course. Throughout the entire programme, a variation of forms of examinations is strived for across the different courses, so that the students are tested in the overall different types of knowledge, skills and competences which are represented in the Degree Qualifications Profile of the programme. This is to make sure that the student’s overall exam results reflect how well the student fulfils the learning objectives of the programme in its entirety.

§ 1.4 - Profiles

BSc major in Biochemistry and molecular biology - Registration 1 September 2023

BSc major in Biochemistry and molecular biology - Registration 1 September 2022

BSc major in Biochemistry and molecular biology - Registration 1 September 2020 and 2021

BSc Biochemistry and molecular biology with special minor in Chemistry 40 ECTS - Registration 1 September 2021

BSc Biochemistry and molecular biology with special minor in Chemistry 40 ECTS - Registration 1 September 2020

§ 2 - Enrollment

§ 2.1 - Tuition

Additional provisions of the Study Board:
The Study Board refers to the general webpages at sdu.dk regarding fees for continuing/further education: (in Danish). 

§ 2.2 - Entry requirements

Cf. Adgangsbekendtgørelsen § 4

Enrolment in a Bachelor’s degree programme requires a passed upper secondary education as well as fulfilment of other entry requirements. The university may decide that the applicant must pass an entrance examination. Finally, admission may require the applicant to meet language requirements and set grade requirements.

Additional provisions of the Study Board:

In reference with Adgangsbekendtgørelsen § 4, the specific entry requirements are:

  • Danish level A
  • English level B
  • Mathematics level A
  • As well as one of the following three subject combinations: 1) Physics B and Chemistry B, 2) Physics B and Biotechnology A, 3) Geoscience A and Chemistry B or Chemistry B, Biology A and Physics C.

The specific entry requirements must be passed with a minimum grade of 02 on average of the grades in each subject.

§ 3 - Structure and Progression

§ 3.1 - The structure of the programme

Cf. the Legislation on Education § 10
The Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes consist of a specified number of modules. A module is a single subject element or a group of subject elements with the purpose of providing the student with a set of academic qualifications and skills within a specified timeframe indicated by ECTS points. The modules end with one or more tests during a specified examination period which is indicated and outlined in the programme regulations. 

Additional provisions of the Study Board:
The Bachelor’s degree programmes at the Faculty of Science at the SDU consists of a first year where the Faculty’s pedagogical and didactic principles are implemented, a major subject and an optional minor subject in the third year of study. The programmes are organised after one of the following structures: 
  1. A programme of 180 ECTS with only a major subject 
  2. A programme of 180 ECTS with both a major and minor subject where the major subject is worth 135 ECTS and is within the subject area of science and the minor subject is worth 45 ECTS and within the subject area of science
  3. A programme of 180 ECTS with both a major and a minor subject where the major subject is worth 135 ECTS and is within the subject area of science and the minor subject is worth 45 ECTS and is within the subject area of science. Both the major and the minor subjects are taught at upper secondary school. 
  4. A programme of 180 ECTS with both a major and a minor subject where the major subject is worth 135 ECTS and is within the subject area of science and the minor subject is worth 45 ECTS and is outside of the subject area of science. Both the major and the minor subjects are taught at upper secondary school.
  5. A minor subject of 45 ECTS within the subject area of science and a major subject outside of the subject area of science. Both the major and the minor subjects are taught at upper secondary school.
  6. An interdisciplinary elective subject of 45 ECTS within the subject area of science and a major subject outside of the subject area of science. 

The Bachelor’s degree programmes at the Faculty of Science at the SDU consists of constituent subject elements preserving the programmes’ academic competence and identity, including the first-year project, the innovation project, area specific courses and the Bachelor’s project of minimum 90 ECTS. The constituent subject elements include the theory of science of the specific subject area. In addition to the constituent elements, the programme includes electives of minimum 10 ECTS and support courses. 

Additional provisions of the Study Board: 

The Bachelor programme in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is an interdisciplinary programme of 180 ECTS, consisting of a first year with joint implementation of the Faculty’s pedagogical and didactic principles. In the second and third years, molecular biology, biochemistry and microbiology are covered in an academic progression, supplemented with courses in chemistry and immunology. In addition, an introduction to bioinformatics is provided. Laboratory exercises will be placed throughout the programme, as Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is essentially an experimental discipline. The programmed completed with a Bachelor project, in which a defined scientific problem is elucidated in an experimental and theoretical context.
Overall course descriptions
The course descriptions are a part of the programme regulations and describe the specific courses. Course descriptions may be updated twice per year if approved by the study board. 
The approved course descriptions can be seen in the syllabus on the website.

The approved syllabus and the valid course descriptions contain information regarding:
  • The Danish and English title of the course
  • The level of the course (bachelor’s, master’s or PhD courses)
  • The institute and lecturer 
  • The extent of the course indicated by ECTS 
  • Admission requirements
  • Expected qualifications
  • Purpose
  • Goal description
  • Contents
  • Which language the course is in
  • Exam form
  • Teaching methods
  • The dates and times of the lectures
  • When the course has last been updated

The number of the course description indicate its level:

  • 2XX: PhD courses
  • 5XX: Bachelor’s courses
  • 8XX: Master’s courses
  • 9xx: Master's courses (AO: 'Akademisk overbygningsuddannelse') 
If fewer than five students sign up for a course, the course may change its form from the one indicated in the approved course description. If fewer than five students sign up for an elective course, the course may be cancelled. 

To ensure the progression and quality of the programme, the course descriptions contain a description of how the specific course relate to the programme’s additional courses and how it contributes to the Degree Qualifications Profile of the overall programme. 

Transition rules
Students of regular or part-time study programmes may experience that courses or exams which are part of their programme no longer are offered. Similarly, some programme regulations may expire and be replaced. The student will be informed of which consequences the cancelled courses/exams or expired programme regulations may have on their further studies. In connection with cancelled courses/exams or expired programme regulations, certain transition rules will apply. 

The transition rules establish the following:
  • When the last lesson will be held
  • When the last exams will be conducted
  • Which course you should attend instead of the cancelled one
  • Which exam(s) you should take instead of the cancelled one(s)
  • Potential rules regarding credit transfers from expired programme regulations to the newest one
  • Potential rules regarding service registration for exams
  • Whether there is a risk of expulsion if the transition rules are not followed

§ 3.2 - Connection between entry requirements and the first year

The content, level and learning activities of the subject elements in the first year of the Bachelor’s degree programme have been organised in consideration of the entry requirements of the programme. The teachers responsible for courses which build directly on the knowledge gained from a qualifying youth education programme have been informed of the entry requirements of the programme and have access to information on the academic content of the main qualifying subjects from the youth education programme.  

§ 4 - Course descriptions

§ 4.1 - Course descriptions

Profile course descriptions 

BSc major in Biochemistry and molecular biology - Registration 1 September 2023

BSc major in Biochemistry and molecular biology - Registration 1 September 2022

BSc major in Biochemistry and molecular biology - Registration 1 September 2020 and 2021

BSc Biochemistry and molecular biology with special minor in Chemistry 40 ECTS - Registration 1 September 2021

BSc Biochemistry and molecular biology with special minor in Chemistry 40 ECTS - Registration 1 September 2020

Course descritions in the curriculum 

BMB500: Studieintroduktion for Biomedicin, Biokemi og Molekylær Biologi

KE504: Analytisk spektroskopi

BMB511: Bioinformatik I

BMB507: Fundamental mikrobiologi

BMB536: Metabolsk og hormonel regulering

BMB539: Anvendelser af matematik i lifescience

BMB538: Cellulær Identitet

BMB543: Biomedicinsk Mikrobiologi

BMB546: Cellulær udvikling

FY527: Fysik A

BABMB501: Bachelorprojekt i biokemi og molekylær biologi

BMB533: Molekylær biologi og proteinkemi

BMB509: Bioanalytisk instrumentering

BMB540: Fysisk Biokemi

BMB532: Fundamental Biokemi

KE501: Grundlæggende kemi

KE521: Grundstoffernes Kemi

KE525: Uorganisk Kemi A

BMB544: Grundlæggende cellebiologi

BMB550: Eksperimentel Life Science

KE555: Organisk kemi for Biokemi og Molekylærbiologi.

MM555: Matematik for Biokemi og Molekylær Biologi, Biomedicin og Kemi

ST520: Anvendt statistik

BMB512: Teoretisk immunologi

FA505: Naturstofkemi og farmakognosi

FA506: Medicinalkemi A

KE540: Kvantekemi og Modellering

KE548: Bæredygtig kemi og innovation

NAT500: Studiestartsprøve

FF501: Førsteårsprojekt

BMB531: Sygdomme hos mennesket

BMB508: Avanceret Molekylær Biologi

KE505: Organisk Kemi

BMB547: Molekylær Data Science

KE506: Syntese

§ 5 - Examination provisions

§ 5.1 - Programme passing requirements

The Bachelor’s degree programme will be completed when the student has obtained:

a) A grade of 02 or higher on all exams graded according to the 7-point grading scale  
b) A “pass” grade on all exams which are given “pass”/”fail” grades 
c) An “approved” grade on all exams which are given “approved”/”not approved” grades and 
d) Approval of all exams which are approved through attendance of classes

§ 5.2 - Start of study exam

Cf. Eksamensbekendtgørelsen § 28

The university may decide that students must participate in and pass a start of study exam in order to continue the programme. The purpose of the start of study exam is to clarify whether a student has actually participated in the start of the programme. The exam is internal and will be evaluated with “Approved” or “Not approved”. The start of study exam will be conducted no later than 2 months after the start of the programme and the result must be given to students no later than 2 weeks after the exam. If a student does not pass the exam, they may do a re-exam which is conducted no later than 3 months after the start of the programme. Students have 2 exam attempts to pass the start of study exam. 


Additional provisions of the Study Board:
If a study start test is included in the programme this is stated in the recommended course of study. Further information about the study start test is given in the course description.

The study start test is held in connection with the start of studies in resp. September and February. Students have two exam attempts to pass the study start test. The second exam attempt is completed no later than three months after the start of the study programme.

If it can be documented that the student is or will be able to actively begin the education, it is the Study Board's practice to grant dispensation from the study start test in case of documented serious illness or similar documented illness in immediate family, or comparable documented personal circumstances who prevented participation in the offered exam attemps in the study start test.

The study board emphasizes that it is the purpose of the examination to clarify whether the student has actually begun the education. The assessment of whether it is possible to dispense with the study start examination does not only depend on the fact that an unusual circumstance can be documented that has prevented participation in the examination.

§ 5.3 - First year exam

Cf. Eksamensbekendtgørelsen § 29
In the programme regulations of the Bachelor’s degree programme, the university will determine which exams students must participate in before the end of the first year of study (the first-year exam).Requirements for the scope of the first-year examination may also be stated in ECTS points.

Students must pass the exams of the first-year exam before the end of their second year of study in order to continue the programme. The university may determine in the programme regulations that, in order for students to continue the programme, the first-year exam must be passed before the end of the first year of study.

The rules apply regardless of the number of exam attempts. However, the student must be able to take at least two examinations during the first year of study before the student can be discharged from the programme. 

The university may provide dispensation from the established deadlines under exceptional conditions. 

Additional provisions of the Study Board:
Students must pass the first-year exam before the end of the first year of study in order to continue the programme even if a third exam attempt is not possible. In August, a third exam attempt for the first-year exam is conducted. However, there may be specific courses which only offer two exam attempts but this will be made clear in the recommended plan of study.

§ 5.4 - Spelling and writing skills

Cf. Eksamensbekendtgørelsen § 26
In the evaluation of Bachelor projects, Master’s theses and other longer written assignments, there will be a focus on the student’s spelling and writing skills. In the programme regulations, rules determine how much the student’s spelling and writing skills affect the overall evaluation of the exam project.

The university may provide students who have documentation of a relevant functional impairment with a dispensation. 

Additional provisions of the Study Board:
The evaluation of longer written assignments is mainly concerned with academic content. The student’s spelling and writing skills will have minimal impact on the evaluation unless it deviates considerably from normal academic writing. This rule may be overlooked if the student provides documentation of a relevant functional impairment.

§ 5.5 - Evaluation of examinations and tests

Cf. Eksamensbekendgørelsen §23
The evaluation of a student’s performance must be in accordance with the academic objectives of the relevant subject or subject element (absolute grading). Grades may not be given in order to achieve a specific distribution of grades (relative grading).

Students must be assessed individually, regardless of whether the examination is conducted individually or as a group exam. 

Cf. Eksamensbekendtgørelsen §2
The purpose of an examination or test is to assess the extent to which the individual student fulfills the learning objectives set for the subject element.
The university determines learning objectives and criteria for assessing the goal fulfillment for the individual subject elements in the programme regulations, including course descriptions.

Cf. Karakterbekendtgørelsen §02
To pass a graded exam, the student must have obtained 02 or above. 

Cf. Eksamensbekendtgørelsen § 10-11 
The university provides programme regulations which determine wthether the examination is internal or external. 
Internal exams or tests are assessed by one or more of the university's lecturers (examiners). External exams or tests are assessed by one or more of the university's lecturers (examiners) and at least one external examiner appointed by the 
Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science

External exams or tests must cover the essential areas of the programme, including Bachelor's project, Master's thesis and Master's project. The external exams or tests must constitute at least 1/3 of the programme’s total ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer System). This does not apply to credit transfers.

Grades are given according to the 7-point grading scale, as a “pass” or “fail” grade or as an “approved” or “not approved” grade, cf. karakterbekendtgørelsen.

The university determines the form of assessment for the specific subject element in the programme regulations or in the course description. The “pass/fail” grade must not be used in more exams than what covers 1/3 of the programme’s overall ECTS credits. This does not apply to credit transfers, however.

Bachelor project, Master’s thesis  and Master project are graded according to the 7-point grading scale


Additional provisions of the Study Board:
The learning objectives of a specific course establishes that the student will receive a 12 for an excellent performance which demonstrates a full achievement of the objectives of the course or course element with no or few flaws. The learning objectives can be found in the specific course descriptions.   

§ 5.6 - Exam language

Cf. Eksamensbekendtgørelsen § 21

The exam or test will be done in the language the lectures of a specific course have been conducted in, unless the purpose of the activity concerns, fully or partially, the language skills of a particular language. 
It is possible to conduct the exam in Swedish or Norwegian instead of Danish, unless language skills in Danish are part of the academic learning goals.

§ 5.7 - Forms of assessment

The student’s qualifications are assessed at examinations. The assessment may be based on:
    a) a final oral exam
    b) a final written exam
    c) practical tests
    d) one or more written or oral exams conducted during lectures
    e) one or more assignments or reports or course work handed in for assessment in connection with lectures
    f) study periods given a pass/fail grade at internal exams (portfolio) 
    g) participation in lectures, exercises, seminars or similar activities or a combination of two or more of items a – g

The choice of examination form for the specific course is made in accordance with several factors. In order for the final grade of the course to reflect to what degree the student has met the learning objectives, there must be a clear cohesion between the course’s objectives, content, learning activities and the examination of the course. Over the course of the entire programme, the aspiration will be to have a variation of examination forms in order to test the student in the different types of knowledge, skills and competences which are represented in the Degree Qualifications Profile of the programme. This is done so that the overall exam result of the student reflects how well the student achieved the learning objectives of the programme. 

§ 5.8 - Ordinary exams

Ordinary exams will typically be conducted at the end of a course in the fall and spring semesters respectively. The exams of the fall semester courses are typically held in January and the exams of the spring semester courses are typically held in June. The accurate dates of the examinations can be found in the exam plan. The dates of ordinary exams which are conducted as part of the course’s lectures will be announced on itslearning. 

Withdrawal from exams is not possible after registering for a course. If the student does not participate in the exam, they use an exam attempt. If the student is prevented from participating because of an illness, they need to submit a doctor’s note to the Student Services (via SPOC). If the doctor’s note is accepted, the absence will not count as a used exam attempt. For more information, see SDU’s general exam rules on the university website.

§ 5.9 - Reexams

Cf. Eksamensbekendtgørelsen § 12

The university may deviate from the stipulated examination or test form in a re-examination.This does not apply, however, for Bachelor projects or Master’s theses. It may be established in the programme regulations that the reexam has another form and/or evaluation than the ordinary exam. including the criteria for when the alternative examination or test form will be used.


Additional provisions of the Study Board:
A reexam is conducted for students who failed, were absent or were ill at the preceding ordinary exam. Therefore, the reexam still requires that the student has participated in the course’s lectures and readings. 

The dates of reexams which are conducted as part of the course’s lectures will be announced on itslearning. 
 
For all courses which the Study Board for Science is responsible for, with the exception of the Bachelor project and the Master’s thesis, the exam and censorship at a reexam may be different from the ordinary exam. It will appear from the course description if there is another form of examination for re-examinations and which criteria cause the alternative examination form.

Withdrawal from exams is not possible after registering for a course. If the student does not participate in the exam, they use an exam attempt. If the student is prevented from participating because of an illness, they need to submit a doctor’s note to the Student Services (via SPOC). If the doctor’s note is accepted, the absence will not count as a used exam attempt. For more information, see SDU’s general exam rules on the university website.

If the faculty announces that a course is cancelled, it will also be announced when the student at the latest must use their third exam attempt..

§ 5.10 - Exam attempts

Cf. Eksamensbekendtgørelsen 4
A passed exam or test cannot be retaken.Students have 3 attempts to pass an exam or test. A Student has used an exam attempt if the student does not meet the stipulated examination requirementsThe university may provide additional attempts under exceptional circumstances. When assessing whether there are any exceptional circumstances, the university must not include the student’s academic aptitude

Cf. Eksamensbekendtgørelsen 12,3. 
A student who is having their participation in a course assessed for the second time, may request to take an exam instead. However, the university may establish in the programme regulations that this does not apply to the start of study exam. Course participation which includes practical exercises cannot be replaced by an exam.

Study start test
Cf. Eksamensbekendtgørelsen § 28
The university may decide that students must participate in and pass a start of study exam in order to continue the programme. The purpose of the start of study exam is to clarify whether a student has actually participated in the start of the programme. The exam is internal and will be evaluated with “Approved” or “Not approved”.
The start of study exam will be conducted no later than 2 months after the start of the programme and the result must be given to students no later than 2 weeks after the exam. If a student does not pass the exam, they may do a re-exam which is conducted no later than 3 months after the start of the programme. Students have 2 exam attempts to pass the start of study exam.


Additional provisions of the Study Board:
Students can apply for additional exam attempts through the Study Board for Science under exceptional circumstances. For more information, see the Study Board’s guide on dispensation. Students have two exam attempts to pass the Start of study exam

§ 5.11 - Requirements for exams

Cf. Eksamensbekendtgørelsen § 7
The university may in the programme regulations establish that the student is required to participate in lectures or submit written assignments, etc, as part of the lectures in order to be able to attend the exam of the relevant course. 

Additional provisions of the Study Board:

If a course has prerequisite exams, these must be passed before the ordinary exam related to the prerequisite exam. If a student does not pass the prerequisite exam before the course’s ordinary exam, the student will not be able to participate in the exam and has used an exam attempt. Prerequisite exams which have been passed before the ordinary exam do not need to be repeated in case the student needs to use another exam attempt.  

§ 5.12 - Digital exams and aids

Cf. Eksamensbekendtgørelsen § 12
The university may in the programme regulations establish rules regarding the use of computers during exams.

Additional provisions of the Study Board:
Written exams will be conducted on the student’s own computer unless the course description says otherwise. For written exams, the SDU’s rules regarding use of computer during written exams apply. 

A list of allowed aids can be found in the specific course descriptions. 

§ 5.13 - Special examination conditions

Cf. Eksamensbekendtgørelsen § 6
The university may provide special exam conditions for students with a physical or mental disability and for students whose native language is not Danish, if the university deems that this is necessary in order to place these students on an equal footing with other students participating in the exam. This provision must not alter the academic level of the exam. 

Additional provisions of the Study Board:
If a student wishes to be provided with special exam conditions, they must send an application to the Study Board for Science before the beginning of the relevant exam period. The Study Board has the option to provide students with special exam conditions for the entire course of their studies. 

The application must be received by the Study Board no later than 30 March for applications concerning the summer examination term and no later than 30 October for examinations concerning the winter examination term. Applications submitted after these deadlines risk being rejected on the grounds that it is not practicable to secure the applied exam conditions.

Due to specific examination forms, it will not be possible to grant students additional time for certain exams.

If a student wishes to be provided with special exam conditions, it is their own responsibility to contact the study secretary which conducts the relevant exam no later than 10 days before the examination date and let them know. If the student fails to do so, they will not be provided with special exam conditions. 

§ 5.14 - Irregularities at exams

The university sees irregularities at exams as a serious violation of the disciplinary rules. For more information, see the rules on disciplinary precautions for students at SDU.

§ 5.15 - Group exams

Cf. Eksamensbekendtgørelsen § 13-15
On a basis of academic considerations, the university decides whether an exam should be individual or a group exam. For group exams, the university further establishes the maximum number of students allowed in a group and whether students may choose to take the exam as an individual exam.

At the final examination, the student has the right to prepare the assignment individually and to submit an oral defense individually.

If the written assignment in the final examination has been prepared in a group, the individual student has the right to submit an individual oral defense.

In the case of written exams which have been produced by a group of students, individual evaluation and grading is only possible if the work of the individual student is somehow indicated. The university may establish requirements for individualisation in the programme regulations. 

In the case of written exams which have been produced by a group of students where individual evaluation and grading is not required, the assignment may be part of the evaluation of a subsequent oral exam. 

Additional provisions of the Study Board:
It will be evident from the course description of the specific course whether the exam is a group exam or not. In cases of individual study activities, Bachelor projects or Master’s theses, it will be established in collaboration with the supervisor if a group exam is possible. In cases of group exams, all students must be indicated in the contract and the evaluation will be adapted to the form of a group exam.

§ 6 - Credit transfer

§ 6.1 - Transfer of credit

Cf. Adgangsbekendtgørelsen §37
 Students must inform the university of and apply for credits for passed programme elements from all previous unfinished studies of the same level. The university establishes rules concerning disciplinary steps in case the applicant provides incorrect or insufficient information.   

Additional provisions of the Study Board:
As quickly as possible after having been accepted at a programme, the student must apply for starting credits at the Faculty of Science based on previously passed educational elements from the same or a different educational institution. The Study Board will make a specific credit assessment of the student’s previously passed subject elements. Credits are only given if the course element has academic relevance for the programme which the student has been accepted to.

§ 6.2 - Transfer of credit

Cf. Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen § 55
 Students who wish to complete certain programme elements at another university or educational institution in Denmark or abroad may apply for advanced credits for planned programme elements at their home university. The student must provide the necessary documentation to their home university for whether the programme elements have been passed or not. If the documentation indicates that the programme elements for which the student has been given credits in advance have been passed, the home university will approve and grant credits for these.

Additional provisions of the Study Board:
Students must send an application for advanced credits to the Study Board for Science. It is the student’s own responsibility to apply early so that the student is sure to receive a decision before the deadline for applications at the host educational institution. Students can seek advice and counselling regarding the level and contents of the intended courses at the institute.

§ 6.3 - Credit

Cf. Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen §§ 53 and 54
 This order states that a passed programme element is equivalent to a corresponding programme element at another university which provides the same programme. 

The university may approve that passed programme elements, as defined in this order, may replace programme elements in another programme of the same level (credits). 
The university may further approve that passed programme elements from another Danish or foreign programme of the same level may replace other programme elements.  

Additional provisions of the Study Board:
Students may send applications for credits to the Study Board for Science. It is the student’s responsibility to document the content and level of the course in the form of a course description and documentation of achieved results.

§ 6.4 - Extemptions

Cf. Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen § 45
In cases with exceptional conditions, the university may make exemptions from the rules which are established by the university itself in the programme regulations.

Additional provisions of the Study Board
It is the Study board's practice to grant an exemption for a constituent course if the student can document that the student has passed courses at the same academic level, with at least the same extent and the same academic content as the course on the curriculum in question to be exempted.

It is the Study board's practice to grant an exemption from the stipulated requirements for an elective module if exceptional conditions can be documented that actually prevents the student from complying with these.

§ 7 - Provisions on the organisation of the programme

§ 7.1 - Enrolment and unenrolment from teaching and exams

Cf. Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen § 11
The university must establish internal rules regarding the registration of students for courses or course elements at the Bachelor and Master’s degree programmes, including rules establishing whether registration is the responsibility of the university or the student. The university may establish requirements for registration in the form of ECTS credits. The registration requirements may apply to both new courses and failed courses from earlier semesters. The registration requirements may be no higher than 60 ECTS credits per academic year, except in cases of failed courses from earlier semesters. 

Cf. Eksamensbekendtgørelsen §5

The university must further establish internal rules regarding the placement of and the registration for the programme’s ordinary exams (1st exam attempt) and reexams (2nd and 3rd attempt). The university will establish whether the registration is the responsibility of the university or the student, as well as whether registration for a course or course element constitutes as registration for the exam or reexam of the course. The university will further establish whether students have the option of timely notification of deregistration from exams or reexams.  

Additional provisions of the Study Board:
 It is the aim of the university that students registered for courses worth 30 ECTS points per semester at their relevant level of study. Registering for courses worth more than 30 ECTS points per semester is allowed. 

Twice per year, students can register for the courses provided in the fall semester (20. – 30. May) and the spring semester (20. – 30. November) respectively. For more information on registration deadlines, visit the faculty’s website. Registration is done via SDU Student Self-Service (https://sso.sdu.dk/) within the indicated time limits. Registration for a course gives access to the course’s page on e-learn.sdu.dk. 

Registration for a course constitutes as registration for the first of the three exam attempts connected with the course. Deregistration from the course and its exams is not possible after the deadline for the registration period. If the student does not participate in the exam, they will have used one exam attempt. 

The university will register new students for the courses of their first semester of the Bachelor degree programme when the student has been accepted at SDU.

Registration for second or third exam attempts will be done within the indicated registration periods or by request to the Educational Law & Registration via SPOC. Registration for second or third exams is binding, and it is not possible deregister. 

Students who have failed the ordinary exam (first exam attempt) can register for the reexam (second exam attempt) in the same examination period or the appertaining re-examination period. Students who have failed their second exam attempt can register for their third attempt at the next ordinary examination period. 

Students will automatically be registered for exams which are offered for the last time. 

Students can apply to the Study Board for Science for dispensation to deregister from courses and exams during any given semester in cases of exceptional conditions. 

Students can apply to the Study Board for Science for dispensation to participate in a reexam although the student has not used an exam attempt at the preceding ordinary exam.

§ 7.2 - Permission to enrol in courses from a Master’s degree programme

Cf. Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen §15
The university may register students who are enrolled in a Bachelor degree programme at the university for courses, subject elements and exams from a Master’s degree programme worth a maximum of 30 ECTS points, if the university deems that the student has the academic prerequisites to complete their Bachelor degree programme while at the same time completing and passing courses or subject elements from the Master’s degree programme. 

Students who complete courses or subject elements from a Master’s degree programme have the right to enrol in the relevant Master’s degree programme as a direct continuation of their Bachelor degree programme. 

Additional provisions of the Study Board:
Applications for permission to participate in courses from a Master’s degree programme before having completed a Bachelor degree programme must be sent to Counselling. The study board refers to the general guidelines.

§ 7.3 - Deadline for programme completion

Cf. Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen § 6-8
 Bachelor and Master’s degree programmes must be organised as full time studies so that students are able to complete a Bachelor degree programme in 34 months, or 36 months if they begin their studies in the spring semester, and complete a Master’s degree programme in 24 months if they choose to start the Master’s degree programme in direct continuation of their Bachelor degree programme. If a student chooses not to start a Master’s degree programme in direct continuation of their Bachelor degree programme, the Master’s degree programme must be organised so that the student is able to complete it in 22 months if they being in the fall semester and 24 months if they begin in the spring semester. The university may in the programme regulations establish deadlines for the completion of the programme. 

Additional provisions of the Study Board:
 The Study Board refers to the SDU rules on time limits.

  • Bachelor degree programme must be completed within the standardised study period + 1 year
  • A 2-year Master’s degree programme must be completed within the standardised study period + ½ year
  • A 2½-year Master’s degree programme must be completed within the standardised study period + ½ yea
  • Master's degree for working professionals must be completed within the standardised study period + ½ year
  •  "AO" (Akademisk overbygningsuddannelse) - Master's degree  must be completed within the standardised study period + 1 year

§ 7.4 - Study activity

Cf. Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen § 59+60
The university may establish rules which dictate that the student continuously or at the end of each year of study must pass exams estimated in ECTS credits (demands of study activity) in order to continue their studies. The demand can be established as exams worth collectively no more than 45 ECTS credits per year of study.
The university must ensure that students have 3 exam attempts. 

The university may further establish that demands of study activity may be overlooked if the student is an entrepreneur or chairperson of a volunteer organisation which is included in Dansk Ungdoms Fællesråd (DUF). The university lays down internal rules for which students are entrepreneurs, cf. the Executive Order on Education.

The university may provide dispensation from demands of study activity if the student is an elite athlete or in cases of exceptional circumstances, including disability.

Additional provisions of the Study Board:
 Enrolment of a student will be terminated if the student has not passed a minimum of one exam within a consecutive time period of at least 1 year. Participation in the studiestartsprøve does not count as part of the demands of study activity regarding passing a minimum of one exam within a consecutive time period of at least 1 year.

Students who fail to earn 30 ECTS per semester are notified of offers of counselling and potential support measures. Before their enrolment is terminated, the student is notified of the date of the termination of their enrolment.

The provisions in this paragraph do not include enrolment via Open University.

§ 7.5 - Bachelors project

Cf. Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen § 19
Constituent subject elements for the programme's general subject competence and identity and other compulsory subject elements, including support subjects, corresponding to at least 120 ECTS points. The constituent subject elements must constitute at least 90 ECTS points and contain the subject theory or subject area science theory as well as a bachelor's project of at least 10 ECTS points and a maximum of 20 ECTS points.

The bachelor's project is placed in the third year of the programme and must demonstrate the student's ability to formulate, analyze and process issues in a qualified manner within a defined academic subject. The university approves the subject delimitation and at the same time sets a submission deadline for the project.

Cf. Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen § 61
The Master’s thesis must include an abstract in a language which is not Danish. If the thesis has been written in a foreign language, except Norwegian and Swedish, the abstract may be written in Danish. The curriculum stipulates how the abstract is included in the overall assessment and which languages ​​the summary can or must be written in.

Assesment of the bachelor's project
Cf. Eksamensbekendtgørelsen §11
The Bachelor’s project is graded by the 7-point grading scale.

Cf. Eksamensbekendtgørelsen § 15
In cases of written assignments produced by a group of students, it is only possible to give individual grading if the contribution of the individual student is clearly marked. The university stipulates requirements for individualisation in the programme regulations. 

Additional provisions of the study board:

In the Bachelor’s degree programmes for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bachelor’s projects are worth 15 ECTS. Further information regarding content and objectives can be found in the course descriptions of the specific Bachelor’s projects.  

The Bachelor’s project must be produced by no more than four students and must be in the form of a written report. If the Bachelor’s project is produced by more than one student, the project will be included in the evaluation of a subsequent individual oral exam. 

If the Bachelor’s project is written in Danish, the abstract must be written in English. If the project is written in English, the abstract must be written in Danish.

Enrolment in the Bachelor’s project is done via SDU Self-Service (https://sso.sdu.dk/) before the specified enrolment deadline. After enrolment – no later than a week into the semester – students must submit a Bachelor’s project contract with an appertaining thesis statement via the online form system.The submission deadline for the Bachelor’s project can be found in the relevant course descriptions. 

If a student fails to submit their Bachelor’s project before the provided deadline or if they fail the exam, one exam attempt will have been used. In this case, the student must resubmit their Bachelor’s project with no alteration of the thesis statement within the period of re-examination. 

The Head of Studies at the Faculty of Science may based on a well-documented application approve an extension of the submission deadline in cases of exceptional conditions.  

§ 7.6 - Leave

Cf. Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen §§ 43-44
 Students may be granted leave of absence from their studies in accordance with the rules established by the university. During the leave, students cannot participate in the courses of the relevant programme.The University may lay down rules that allow the student to participate in examinations, despite the fact that the student has or has had leave.

Bachelor students may be granted leave of absence after completing their first year of studies. Master’s students may be granted leave of absence after completing their first semester. Apply for leave of absence if the application is due to maternity/paternity leave, adoption or regarding compulsory military service. 

The university may grant exemptions if there are exeptional circumstances.   

Additional provisions of the Study Board:

§ 7.7 - Limitation on the number of entries

Cf. Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen § 11
The university must in the programme regulations establish rules regarding the registration for courses or subject elements and regarding the selection criteria for electives. The university will use academic criteria as selection criteria. If it is not possible to determine any academic criteria, the university may draw lots instead.The university may not use age as a selection criterium. 

Additional provisions of the Study Board:
Some electives provided by the Faculty of Science have a maximum student capacity. If more students are registered for a course than the maximum capacity allows, students who have registered in good time are prioritised. The principles concerning prioritisation are provided in the course description of the courses with maximum student capacities. 

PhD students will always have first priority for PhD courses.

§ 7.8 - Minor, elective subject and elective

Minor subjects
Cf. Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen §§ 20 og 31
Bachelor degree programmes which grant access to Master’s degree programmes with minors must consist of a major subject and a minor subject with a clear emphasis on the major subject. Both the major and minor subjects must be subjects which are taught in upper secondary schools.  

Master's programmes, which build on bachelor programmes, and which are organized in order to the student acquiring professional competence to be able to teach in the upper secondary educations, are structured in such a way that the educations consist of the major and the minor subject. The major subject constitutes the main emphasis of the education, and the minor subject or subject elements in the bachelor's and master's education constitute at least 90 ECTS points.

Additional provisions of the Study Board:
For Bachelor degree programmes at the Faculty of Science, the minor subject is placed in the third year of study. For Master’s degree programmes at the Faculty of Science, the minor subject is placed in the second and third semester, however also in the first semester regarding the minor in physics.

For students with a major subject outside of the natural sciences, the minor subject may be placed differently. 

Registration for the Bachelor degree minor subjects must be done no later than 1 May during the second year of study via https://dans.stads.dk. 
The Study Board refers to the General guidelines for enrolment (Only in Danish) which you can find at SDU’s website. Registration for Master’s degree minor subjects is done in connection with the application for enrolment in the Master’s degree programme. 
Minor subject (tilvalg) 
Cf. Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen § 21
The university may establish that Master’s degree programmes which consist of only a major subject must be combined with a minor subject in or outside of the academic field of the major subject. The minor subject may consist of a selection of elective courses organised by the university or by the student. The university may decide that the selection of elective courses organised by a student must be approved by the university. 

Additional provisions of the Study Board:
The Study Board for Science has organised one Bachelor degree elective subject in Biological Anthropology meant for students with a major subject outside of the natural sciences. It is not possible for students on scientific Bachelor and Master’s degree programmes to organise their own individual elective subject.

Registration for Master’s degree elective subjects is done in connection with the application for enrolment in the Master’s degree programme. 
 
Electives 
Cf. Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen §§ 19, 26 og 30
 The university will in the relevant programme regulations provide electives worth a minimum of 10 ECTS credits.

Additional provisions of the Study Board:
The programmes at the Faculty of Science include electives worth a minimum of 10 ECTS credits. Electives are defined as courses which are offered by the Faculty of Science and which are not compulsory for the relevant programme. Electives may be defined further in the subject specific programme regulation, just as limitations might be given in the course descriptions.   

Courses which coincide with constituent courses or subject elements (including supporting subjects), or which coincide with already passed courses or subject elements, cannot be approved as electives or grant credits.

Courses on a Bachelor degree level which are within the field of the major subject cannot be approved as electives or grant credits to the Master’s degree programme.  

Students are required to register for electives of a relevant level of study worth a certain number of ECTS credits specified in the relevant programme regulations. Registration is done via SDU Self-Service (https://sso.sdu.dk/) within the specified time limit. Registration for courses grants access to the course’s page on e-learn.sdu.dk.

Students may change their electives after the deadline for registration, however, this must be done no later than three weeks after the beginning of the semester. Changing to another elective is only possible if the new elective is worth the same number of ECTS credits as the previous one, if there is an open spot for the student and if there has not been conducted any exams or tests yet in the course.  

Registration for electives is binding and an exam attempt will be used if the student does not participate in the exam. Students apply to the Study Board for deregistration from electives in a relevant semester. The elective will remain a part of the student’s course of study, however, and must be passed before graduation.

Changing electives is not possible if the student has used an exam attempt in one or several parts of the current elective. The Study Board will not process applications from students regarding this kind of change of electives. The Study Board refers to the SDU’s general information on this subject.   

After the deadline for changing electives, the student may apply to the Study Board for Science for a change of electives based on exceptional conditions, if the student has not yet used an exam attempt in one or several parts of the course.

If an elective is no longer offered, students will be notified that teachings will end and that exams likewise are only offered within a limited time period. This information regarding this issue will also be made evident in the course description.

§ 7.9 - Talent

Cf. Talentbekendtgørelsen §§ 1 and 2
 Institutions of higher education which are within the area of the Ministry of Higher Education and Science may provide talent initiatives in the form of extra programme activities for talented students who are enrolled in a fulltime programme at the institution and in the form of courses from a Bachelor degree, Professional Bachelor degree or business academy programmes at the institution for talented students attending upper secondary school or other maritime training programmes. The specific institution must establish rules regarding talent initiatives in accordance with the conditions of the Talentbekendtgørelse.

The purpose of providing extra programme activities is to support and strengthen the performance of particularly talented students at the institutions of higher education so that a limited amount of the brightest and highly motivated students receive more challenging work than is required by the relevant programme regulations as well as acknowledgements for the extra work on their diploma. 

Additional provisions of the Study Board:
 Students at the Faculty of Science have the opportunity to participate in talent programmes and extracurricular activities across the faculties. The completion of such activities may recommend the student for an honours degree. The Study Board refers to SDU’s webpage on talent programmes.

§ 8 - Exemptions and complaints procedures

§ 8.1 - Dispensation from University regulations

Cf. Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen § 45
In cases of exceptional conditions, the university may grant dispensation from rules in the programme regulations which have been established by the university only.


 General regulations 
 

It is further specified that students who participate in laboratory work, for the safety of themselves and others, are not allowed to be under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
 
Students must comply with instructions and orders given by the university employees, including expulsion from the laboratory, cf. the Rules on disciplinary precautions for students at the SDU § 1 subsection 6.  
 
Violations of the regulations may lead to sanctions, in reference to the Rules on disciplinary precautions for students at the SDU § 5.

§ 8.2 - Complaints over exams

Cf. Eksamensbekendtgørelsen § 36
Complaints against an exam or any other evaluation included in the exam must be filed by students to the university. The complaint must be a written document containing the reasons for the complaint. The complaint must be filed no later than 2 weeks after the announcement of the evaluation. However, the deadline will be set no earlier than the provided announcement date of the evaluation. 
 
Additional provisions of the Study Board: 

§ 8.3 - Complaints over University decisions

Cf. Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen § 57
The decisions made by the university regarding rejection or partial rejection of application for credits for passed Danish programme elements and advanced credits given for Danish or foreign programme elements may be taken to the Credit Appeals Board in accordance with the rules established in the legislation on boards of appeal specialised in university programme credit. 

The decisions made by the university regarding rejection or partial rejection of application for credits for passed foreign programme elements may be referred to the Qualifications Board after the rules in the act concerning evaluation of foreign educational qualifications etc.   
 
Cf. Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen § 64
If a student wishes to file a complaint concerning the legal basis of decisions made by the university in accordance with this provision, the complaint may be taken to Styrelsen for Videregående Uddannelser. The deadline for filing the complaint is 2 weeks from the date on which the student has received the decision made by the university. The complaint must be filed to the university and the university will then releases a statement. The student must be given the opportunity to address the university’s statement within a time limit no shorter than 1 week. The university will send the complaint attached with their statement and any notes made by the student to Styrelsen for Videregående Uddannelser.
 
Jf. Eksamensbekendtgørelsen § 46.
The university's final decisions can be brought for the Danish Agency for Education and Science when the complaint concerns legal issues. The appeal deadline is 2 weeks from the day the decision is announced.

The complaint is submitted to the university, which prepares an opinion, which the complainant must have the opportunity to comment on within a period of at least one week. The university then sends the entire case to the board for consideration.

§ 9 - The affiliation of the programme

§ 9.1 - Legal basis

  • Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen: Ministerial order No. 2285 of 1 December 2021 regarding university programmes scheduled as full-time studies.
  • Eksamensbekendtgørelsen: Ministerial order No. 2271 of 1 December 2021 regarding exams and grading in university programmes
  • Karakterbekendtgørelsen: Ministerial order No. 1125 of 4th July 2022 regarding grading scale and other forms of evaluation in educational programmes within the area of the Ministry of Higher Education and Science
  • Universitetsadgangsbekendtgørelsen:  Ministerial order No. 69 of 26 January 2023 regarding admission to university degree programmes scheduled as full-time studies   
  • Talentbekendtgørelsen: Ministerial order No. 597 of 8 March 2015 regarding talent initiatives within the area of the Ministry of Higher Education and Science
  • Ph.d.-bekendtgørelsen: Ministerial order No. 1039 of 27 August 2013 regarding PhD programmes at universities and certain art programmes
  • Meritankenævnsbekendtgørelsen: Ministerial order No. 1517 of 16 December 2013 regarding boards of appeal and decisions concerning credits for university programmes

§ 9.2 - Academic Study Board

The Study Board for Science

§ 9.3 - External examiners

Corps of examiners for biology

§ 9.4 - Codes

Ingen STO-kode fundet

§ 9.5 - Effective date

01-09-2023

§ 9.6 - Applicable for students enrolled as of

01-09-2020

§ 9.7 - Date of Study Board Approval

14-08-2023

§ 9.8 - Date of Deans Approval

§ 9.9 - Transitions

Transitional arrangements describe how a course replaces another course when changes are made to the course of study. 
If a transitional arrangement has been made for a course, it will be stated in the list. See transitional arrangements for all courses at the Faculty of Science.

§ 10 - Terminology

§ 10.1 - Terminology

ECTS and workload

ECTS is an abbreviation of European Credit Transfer System. ECTS credits function as an estimation of the time frame and workload of a university programme.   
 
60 ECTS credits are equivalent to one year of full-time study. 1 ECTS credits is equivalent to a workload of 25-30 hours. ECTS credits can be transferred as credit both nationally and internationally.