Top content

Insights into the science of life: The 2025 University Information Day at the Biology department

On Thursday, November 20, Osnabrück University held its annual university information day. Once again this year, the Biology department offered interested pupils an insight into studying biology through informative presentations, hands-on stands, taster lectures and guided tours at the Center for Cellular Nanoanalytics (CellNanOs).

25.11.2025

Student advisor Dr. Lars Langemeyer and his colleague Dr. Oliver Ambrée led the information events ‘What to expect when studying biology’, while Felix Przesdzink from the biology didactics department and Sebastian Holt from the biology student council provided valuable insights into the degree programmes and student life. Following the presentation, there was an open question and answer session where individual counselling services were available to answer personal questions and provide further information.

Information event ‘What to expect when studying biology’ with student advisor Dr. Lars Langemeyer, biology education staff member Felix Przesdzink, member of the biology student council Sebastian Holt and student advisor Dr. Oliver Ambrée (from left) (photo: Laura Elpers)

In addition to comprehensive information on biology degree programmes at Osnabrück University, the 2025 University Information Day also offered numerous opportunities to experience studying first-hand. At interactive stands run by the divisions of Molecular Cell Biology, Bioanalytical Chemistry and Structural Biology, pupils were able to gain an initial insight into the various laboratory activities involved in the study programmes. The biology student council provided playful motivation with a laboratory Olympics, in which participants were rewarded with sweets and small gifts.

Hands-on stand run by the Molecular Cell Biology division, supervised by Dr. Matthijs Kol and Emely Döffinger (photo: Laura Elpers)

The two taster lectures with Prof. Dr. Achim Paululat (Zoology division) and Prof. Dr. Michael Hensel (Microbiology division) were very well received. The pupils were able to gain an authentic impression of everyday university life current research topics. The lectures offered a valuable opportunity to get a first impression of studying biology in Osnabrück.

Taster lecture ‘When antibiotics no longer work – the silent pandemic’ by Prof. Dr. Michael Hensel, Dean of Studies and head of the Microbiology division (photo: Laura Elpers)

Taster lecture ‘The Dance of the Genes – How Genes Control Human Development’ by Prof. Dr. Achim Paululat, head of the Zoology division (photo: Laura Elpers)

As in previous years, the guided tours of the Center for Cellular Nanoanalytics – CellNanOs – proved particularly popular. Due to the high demand, interested visitors had to be divided into smaller groups in order to visit the center's numerous microscopy rooms. The tours provided a unique insight into the state-of-the-art equipment in the field of light and electron microscopy, which allows researchers and students at Osnabrück University to visualise and examine even the smallest structures.

Dr. Michael Holtmannspötter guides a group of pupils through the Center for Cellular Nanoanalytics (photo: Laura Elpers)

For those interested who did not want to brave the cold weather to make their way to Westerberg, there was an opportunity to find out more about studying biology at Osnabrück University in the auditorium of the castle in the city centre.

Information stand in the auditorium of the castle, supervised by Dr. Niklas Kästner (photo: Niklas Kästner)

The Biology team involved in organising the University Information Day was delighted with the high level of interest shown by the pupils: ‘We were very pleased with the enthusiastic response,’ said study programme manager Dr. Laura Elpers. ‘We hope to welcome some of these talented young people to our campus as students in the future.’