Welcome
to the KIT Department of Chemical and Process Engineering
Information for first-semester students
Winter Semester 2026/2027
As first-semester students, you are about to begin a new chapter in your academic journey. You are now among around 1,500 students whom we aim to prepare, through our research-based teaching, to become the engineers who will shape the sustainable economy of tomorrow. We wish you a good start and successful studies at KIT, and should you ever encounter any difficulties, you will find guidance and support here.
Student Advisory Services (ZSB)
Fachschaft
The student representatives are also there to help whenever you need it.
In lectures, lecturers (usually professors) will teach you the theoretical basics and the course material that you should master. You will gain an overview of all exam-relevant topics.
In the exercises, instructors will work through exemplary tasks to illustrate the lecture material. This allows you to apply the lecture material in a practical context.
Similar to the exercises, examples are worked through in tutorials. However, these take place in small groups, giving you the opportunity to ask questions and discuss the material with your tutors. In courses where you are required to complete exercise sheets, these will be corrected by your tutors. You have to register for the tutorials at the beginning of the semester. The registration process will be explained during the first lectures and exercises of the semester.
Most lecture materials are available on the ILIAS learning platform. However, some materials can also be found on the websites of the respective institutes. If you can't find what you are looking for, please contact the respective lecturers.
The following practical courses are scheduled after the first semester:
BIW: Basic Practical Course in Natural Science: General Chemistry
CIW: Basic Practical Course: General Chemistry
At the end of the lecture period, there will be a mandatory safety briefing for the practical course.
- Environmental Ethics and Technology (2 CP)
- Good Scientific Practice (information to follow) (1 CP)
- Programming and Numeric Simulation (3 CP)
- Scientific Writing with LaTeX (2 CP)
You can also take modules from other KIT departments as additional courses with prior approval, but this is not recommended during the first semester.
Important documents
Studies and Examination Regulations Bachelor Bioengineering (BIW)
Studies and Examination Regulations Bachelor Chemical and Process Engineering (CIW)
Module handbook Bachelor Bioengineering (BIW)
Module handbook Bachelor Chemical and Process Engineering (CIW)
We generally recommend taking all scheduled exams by the end of the first semester. Exams also serve as a valuable way for you to assess whether you have achieved the learning goals for the semester.
However, there are no specific regulations about when you must take which exams. Exceptions: You must meet the deadlines for orientation examinations. In addition, all coursework and examinations must be completed by the end of the 12th semester.
If you have a good reason for not taking an examination and are therefore unable to meet a deadline (e.g. for an orientation examination) please contact the Bachelor Examination Board as soon as possible. The Examination Board may grant you an extension, for example, in the event of illness.
- Prerequisite not met (e.g., exercise sheets for the Advanced Mathematics I exam): If you are certain that you have met the prerequisite, it is possible that there is an error. In this case, please contact the responsible course instructor.
- No choice has been made yet: Sometimes registration is not possible because you have to select a course option first.
If you cannot resolve the problem yourself, please contact Barbara Freudig, the subject advisory service at the KIT Department of Chemical and Process Engineering.
You can choose when to retake an exam.
Important: If the exam is an orientation examination, you must meet the specified deadlines. If you cannot meet these deadlines for good reason, please contact the Examination Board!
Students who have not passed the orientation examinations, including all retakes (i.e., two written attempts and one oral re-examination), by the end of the third semester have ultimately failed the orientation examination.
Please note: Unlike other exams, a second retake is not possible.
Important information regarding user account, KIT-Card, ...
You can find a lot of useful information on the “First steps at SCC” website. In addition, the document “KIT – digital durchs Studium” contains some helpful tips for you.
I am having problems with my enrollment. Who can help me?
Sometimes issues occur during the enrollment process. For example, your health insurance provider may not have submitted your registration yet (Meldegrund 10). Or, you may receive a letter stating that re-registration for the following semester is not possible.
The Studierendenservice or the International Students Office (INTL) (for non-EU citizens) is responsible for enrollment and re-enrollment for the next semester. Please check with them first.
I would like to participate in the mentoring program. How can I sign up?
For more information, visit www.ciw.kit.edu/english/1922.php, or attend the introductory session on Monday, October 26, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. in the Engler-Bunte-Hörsaal (Building 40.50).
Do I have to complete the program in 6 semesters?
If you want to work part-time, have family obligations, or want to reduce your stress, you can take a little more time to complete your bachelor’s degree. However, you must complete your degree within 12 semesters at the latest.
I have been sick for a long time. What should I do?
If you have been sick for a long time and it is likely that you will miss an entire semester, you can apply for a leave of absence at the Studierendenservice. Taking this option will help you avoid missing important deadlines, such as the orientation examination deadline or the maximum study period.
For more information and instructions on how to apply for a leave of absence, visit www.sle.kit.edu/english/imstudium/700.php.
Provided that the courses are required or elective in both programs and their content and scope are equivalent, courses you have already completed may be transferred to another degree program. The responsible examination board (i.e., the examination board of the degree program to which you wish to transfer) decides on the recognition of courses.
If you receive BAföG, it is recommended that you inquire about the conditions for continued funding after changing degree programs.
But before you actually drop out or switch programs, you should get detailed information on the proper procedure. A counseling session is strongly recommended. The Student Advisory Services (ZSB), for example, offers counseling services for this purpose.
If you have doubts, you can also complete the KaRLoS self-assessment questionnaire. After completing the survey, you will receive tips and further information on different contact points.
I would like to learn a foreign language or refresh my language skills
You can find course offerings on the website of the Language Center. One language course per semester is free. Please note that registration deadlines often end before or during the first week of the semester!
Where can I find...
Useful Links
Studying / Consultation / Health
- Clearing consultation hour of the Student Advisory Service
- Studying with Special Needs
- Psychological Help (PBS) of the Studierendenwerk Karlsruhe
- Guide: Studying with Child
- Student Health Lab