Get a taste of research

“Chicorée tastes too bitter? Then make a plastic bottle out of it!”, “Creating vegan salami”, or “Movie trends - revival of classics” - are examples of fascinating Humboldt reloaded projects. Instead of sitting in a lecture hall, during your Bachelor’s program you can already carry out your own research projects. In small groups, you work on current research questions with excellent supervision. You want to learn more about Humboldt reloaded?

Get information about applying for Humboldt reloaded projects and about how they are counted toward your degree.

Get Enthusiastic about Science

Enthusiasm - research - gain project experience

Dr. Christian Poll, research associate in the Department of Soil Biology and Humboldt reloaded coordinator for the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences

What skills are strengthened by working in Humboldt reloaded projects?

During a Humboldt reloaded project, students gain scientific skills that are key elements of a university education in addition to gaining knowledge. That means, for example, that they learn to set up and carry out their own experiment, to statistically analyze the data they gather, and to interpret that data based on the research question and hypotheses they came up with at the start. To complete the research process, the findings are presented at the Humboldt reloaded conference.

How can a Humboldt reloaded project be integrated into a degree program?

First you need to know that a Humboldt reloaded project means that students have extra work. However, the benefits are great because this is a one-time opportunity to go through the entire research process; the only other chance to do this is during the Bachelor’s thesis.

There are many different projects offered that take place either along with the semester or as a block in the lecture-free period in the winter or summer semesters so that everyone interested should be able to find a time that suits them. Credit is given for the project with the portfolio module.

Describe “Humboldt reloaded” in three words

Enthusiasm, science, discoveries

Unique opportunity in your studies to go through the entire research process

Sophia Auer and Regina Saier, research associates in the Department of Dairy Science and Dairy Technology and Humboldt reloaded coordinators for the Faculty of Natural Sciences

What do students learn in Humboldt reloaded?

They learn to plan and carry out their first project from start to finish, including their own ideas and experimenting in the lab or Technical Center. Scientific work is the focus since the students write an abstract and design a poster. The poster is then presented at the annual Humboldt reloaded conference. Usually literature is also researched on the topic. Students work independently, and teamwork abilities are promoted. In all, it is good preparation for the Bachelor’s thesis and professional life.

Research during your studies - what is a good time for participating in a research project?

To be able to implement your own ideas and plan experiments, it makes sense to have first completed basic modules. That is why it is ideal to carry out a Humboldt reloaded project in the 3rd or 4th semester. The 5th semester can also be suited, but there are some restrictions since there might be a schedule collision with the upcoming Bachelor’s thesis.

Is there a project that you remember especially well?

At the start of the Humboldt reloaded projects at the University of Hohenheim, we did a project with the topic “Developing a recipe for ice cream”: In the summer, everyone loves ice cream, and since it was low-calorie ice cream, the goal was to replace the fat content with whey protein.

Good preparation for the Bachelor’s thesis and professional life

The ice cream was distributed across campus and at the Humboldt reloaded conference to get feedback about its popularity. Even the press came to a trial day to report about the project and the innovative product.

Dario Cords, research associate in the Department of Economics: Service Economics and Labor Economics and Humboldt reloaded coordinator for the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences.

Are Humboldt reloaded projects only interesting for students who want to go into research?

Even students who do not want to go into research benefit from Humboldt reloaded projects due to the intensive supervision in small groups. Competences such as the ability to work in a team, self-initiative, and responsibility are also learned. In addition, they can expand their fields of work outside of the university by learning how to use various software programs to analyze scientific data.

What was your most interesting project so far?

Since there have been so many interesting projects, I really don’t want to pick out one in particular. In the projects I’ve offered in the area of Economics, students have looked at topics such as social inequality, for example. We examined how income inequality has developed in recent decades, which factors and job market reforms have influenced the development, whether there is a need for reform, and what this reform could look like.

Is a Humbold reloaded project a good thing to have when applying for jobs?

Successfully completing a Humboldt reloaded project is certainly a plus when you’re applying for jobs. Especially the software skills and improved language proficiency you develop with the opportunity to complete a Humboldt reloaded project in English add value to your résumé. The other skills listed above can be mentioned in an interview.

The ability to work in teams, self-initiative, and responsibility - the projects strengthen our students

Student statements

Alena Fricker (M.Sc. Molecular Nutritional Science, B.Sc. Nutritional Science)

“These projects offer the possibility to test out areas that might even be in different subject areas at an early point in your studies. If you are already somewhat familiar with institutes, staff members, and working methods, then it is easier to choose the institute for your final thesis.”

Shan Shan Chen (B.Sc. Business Administration and Economics)

“The Humboldt project was a great experience that I recommend to everyone! In a group, we learned what it means to work scientifically and how to do research. We had very good supervision and a lot of interactive elements so that the atmosphere was really relaxed.”

Konstantin Bradke (B.Sc. Agricultural Biology)

“Besides the really easy application process, I liked how quickly you can work on the side of students in higher semesters and doctoral candidates on a research topic. It was a valuable experience, and I made contacts for my studies up to and including my Bachelor’s thesis.”

Examples of fascinating projects

Es liegt was in der Luft... (There’s something in the air...)

Streit zu zweit, Lösung nicht weit? (Two people fighting? A solution isn’t far away)

Klimawandel auf der Schwäbischen Alb? (Climate change in the Swabian Alb?)

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The Humboldt project of the day presents recently completed research projects.