29.01.2010
Three languages, two degrees, one course
The first Franco-German Bachelor's degree in chemistry is scheduled to begin in the winter semester of 2010/2011 in the region Freiburg/Mulhouse. The outstanding feature of this new degree in chemistry is the trilingual nature of the course (French, German, English) as well as the importance attached to intercultural skills. The latter includes knowledge of political and scientific structures in France, Switzerland and Germany. Apart from studying chemistry and minor subjects such as mathematics, physics and statistics, students will also have the opportunity of learning about topics ranging from labour law, management, economics through to administration. Graduates will be awarded a Bachelor of Science from the University of Freiburg and the "Licence de Chimie" from the University of Mulhouse. Both degrees qualify students to join post-graduate courses such as the Master of Science in Freiburg or the Grande Ecole degree in Mulhouse. The course will initially have places for around 30 students.
The degree not only qualifies graduates to begin a classic career in the chemical or pharmaceutical industry, but also to work in management or the field of cross-border cooperation. Besides holding university entrance qualifications and showing an interest in the natural sciences, applicants must also have language skills in French, German and English which are at least equivalent to the B1 threshold level. After a first year of study in Mulhouse and a second in Freiburg, students opt for Mulhouse or Freiburg in the third year of study, which includes placements in university-based research institutes or in partner companies in the TriRhena euroregion.
The new Bachelor's degree called "Regio Chimica" is part of the EUCOR programme which provides education and training as part of the European Confederation of Upper Rhine Universities (EUCOR). EUCOR includes the five universities of Freiburg, Basel, Karlsruhe, Strasburg and the Université de Haute Alsace, Mulhouse/Colmar. Students enrolled at one of the five EUCOR universities have the same service rights and benefits as local students, including the right to attend courses and lectures at no additional fee.
