Faculty of Science

The Faculty of Science consists of five departments: Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, Physics and Astronomy, Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Biology and Geosciences. The Faculty is characterized by interdisciplinarity, which is reflected in the affiliated Research Competence Centers, National Centres of Competence in Research and Interfaculty Research Cooperation.

Studying at the Faculty of Philosophy and Natural Sciences is characterized by high quality teaching and internationally recognized research. In teaching, the Faculty offers a variety of study programes at Bachelor, Master and Doctoral level. Graduate Schools accompany the PhD programs and specialized Master programs.

News

Climat and Environment

Climate warming disrupts the interaction between plants and soil microorganisms

An international research group involving the University of Bern has discovered that soil microorganisms shift their seasonal rhythm more than plants in response to climate warming. The resulting discrepancy between plants and microorganisms could disrupt essential ecosystem processes and jeopardize their functionality.

August 5, 2025

University of Bern

Biology

Organisms can produce energy from air

Researchers from the University of Bern, in collaboration with researchers from Australia and New Zealand, have recreated an important process in the laboratory that enables organisms to obtain energy directly from components found in air. This confirms that certain organisms such as bacteria can actually live on air alone, without relying on sunlight or other energy sources. The findings point to new possibilities for sustainable energy production.

July 28, 2025

University of Bern

Climat and Environment

The ocean is at its limit – but there is still hope

Heating, deep-sea mining, vulnerable ecosystems: In this interview, climate researcher Thomas Frölicher explains what is going on with the ocean, what glimmers of hope there are and why this is important for Switzerland.

June 20, 2025

Uni Aktuell

Society

Modern timber industry in the Bern region

The timber industry is regarded as sluggish and not very innovative. Unfairly so: Three Bern-based carpentry companies are adding value to local raw materials in peripheral regions and offering future-oriented working models. This is demonstrated by research conducted by the Department of Economic Geography at the University of Bern.

June 3, 2025

University of Bern

Contact

University of Bern
Philosophisch-naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät

Sidlerstrasse 5
CH-3012 Bern

Phone: + 41 31 684 32 09