Practical Work during your Studies

The goal of academic education is to enable students to work on issues independently and solve problems.

For this, you must:

  • Independently compile, understand, and apply knowledge,
  • Learn to question things,
  • Be able to make your own judgment,
  • Argue based on sound facts, and
  • Always be ready to continue learning.

With these interdisciplinary skills, after your studies you will be able to work in many different areas.

Studying serves to create a scientific foundation made up of theories, research approaches, and scientific research questions. Research experience presents the application field of research, e.g. by carrying out an experiment (practical tool) to confirm a specific scientific assumption (hypothesis).
The relation to the practice in scientific studies serves to transfer and apply knowledge taught to professional practice. At the University of Hohenheim, research experience and practical experience are important elements of the programs.

Ties to research in degree program Food Science and Biotechnology

1. The University of Hohenheim’s award-winning project “Humboldt reloaded”

The project promotes research-focused learning starting in the basic study period. Outside of the regular lectures, they have a chance to work on many different research questions in small teams. In doing so, they go through all stages of a real research project, from preparing the current state of the art to selecting a method for their own research and evaluating and presenting the data. At the end of the project, they prepare a summary of the work (abstract) and a scientific poster that they use to present the project at a public, student conference in the Palace.

2. Participation in Competitions

Trophelia Germany is an ideas competition for students in which new products are developed, produced, and presented. It looks for the best ideas for innovative food projects that also have ecological benefits. The competition is organized by the research association of the European Food Industry. Hohenheim students regularly participate in this competition. In 2013, the winners were from Hohenheim: with a new product, the “BBQuchen,” they convinced the jury.

3. Hohenheim Model Operations

In our model operations, researchers find real production conditions to develop and test new products and processes:

  • Dairy for Research and Training
  • Distillery for Research and Training

Fast Forward Science 2017 - Humboldt reloaded: Students Develop New Kind of Cheese for Grilling (in German)


Practical work in degree program Food Science and Biotechnology

  • Excursions to companies in the food industry, e.g. Rittersport, Nestlé Deutschland AG, Milchwerke Schwaben, Hochland Deutschland GmbH, Vetter Pharma
  • Former students report on their everyday work and give insights into professional fields - Alumni Association (Vereinigung zur Förderung der lebensmittelwissenschaftlichen und biotechnologischen Forschung und Lehre an der Universität Hohenheim e.V.)
  • Unique and diverse technical facilities. In the Technical Center, experiments on a large scale are prepared and carried out. Here, students can gain practical experience in the lab:
    - Biotechnology and Enzyme Technology
    - Bioprocess Engineering
    - Food Physics and Meat Science
    - Food Process Engineering and Food Powders
    - Dairy Science and Dairy Technology
    - Process Analytics and Cereal Science
    - Plant Foodstuff Technology and Analysis
  • In our model operations, students make their own products under realistic production conditions:
    - Distillery for Research and Training
    - Distillery for Research and Training

Internship

Internships give insights into companies and professional fields. They also help you to understand the context of content in your program, offer orientation, and make it easier to make decisions, e.g. about specializations during your studies. When it comes to the first job after your studies, internships are important as door-openers and accelerate the application process.

There is a difference between a mandatory internship, that is, one that is required in your degree program, and a voluntary internship. In addition, internships can be done abroad. No matter what type of internship it is: it is worth investing the time!

The Internship Office supports all students who want to gain practical experience during their studies.