6 November 2026

Photo: Fréderic Hasché

Welcome to the 2026/2027 winter semester at the Department of Chemistry

As early as two weeks before the official start of classes, our first-year students in the Chemistry, Pharmacy, Food Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology programs—as well as those in the Chemistry Teacher Education program—get started… and with math?

Yes, exactly—the introductory math course has become an integral part of the program, designed to help students get off to a good start in their studies at the Department of Chemistry. In addition to reviewing mathematical fundamentals in the morning in Lecture Hall A, students also get to know their fellow students in the tutorials (and work on the practice problems) after lunch. After four days, the new alma mater has already become a new home; students have found the dining hall and cafeteria and can now navigate their way to seminar rooms and lecture halls with confidence. The orientation session (OE) that follows then wraps up the introductory phase.

Here, students receive a wealth of information about their degree program, get their first safety and fire prevention training, and even get to put out a fire themselves. Of course, this week is also all about having fun and getting to know one another: With events like the afternoon “get-together,” a Flunkyball tournament, game night, and the orientation session party, there’s something for everyone.