The Department of Biology is characterised by applied and basic research which has a strong tradition of inter-disciplinary work. There are close teaching and research partnerships with the Universitätsklinikum Aachen, the Helmholtz Centres in Jülich and Leipzig, the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biotechnology and Applied Ecology (IME), the Leibniz Institute DWI and the RWTH Departments of Engineering and Geosciences. Students are integrated early on in active research through, among other things, UROP placements for undergraduates.

The Department of Biology with its degree courses has very good international ties: e.g. IDEA League, links to other leading technical universities in Europe. In Biotechnology and environmental research, there are numerous cooperation agreements with renowned universities in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia. Undergraduates can participate in research projects at TOP universities through the UROP programme.

The research of the Aachen Biology and Biotechnology Department focuses on two main areas: Bio-Economy and Neurobiology & Biomedical Life Science. These include the following four institutes, which are well networked internationally and interdisciplinarily: Plant Biology; Biotechnology; Ecology & Computational Life Science; Neurobiology & Medical Life Science. Among others, there are close contacts to the University Hospital Aachen, Fraunhofer IME, DWI Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials and the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig.

Strong cross-linking within the RWTH Aachen University. Thus, after an undergraduate degree, the scientific future can be laid in the entire diversity of excellent university research.