In addition to courses on chemistry and biochemistry, the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology also offers courses on bioorganic, bioinorganic, biophysical, macromolecular, and macromolecular chemistry. The curriculum is complemented by courses in the Didactics of Chemistry and courses that are offered in cooperation with the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, the Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, the Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering and other institutions.

Students in the master's degree programmes in chemistry and chemical biology complete compulsory elective lectures and compulsory elective internships. However, there are no compulsory courses (two compulsory seminars in the master's degree programme in chemical biology), but only framework requirements. The master's degree in chemistry offers a choice between the focus areas "Molecules and Materials" and "Experiment and Theory". The master's degree in chemical biology allows students to specialise in chemical biology, medical chemistry, or cell biology.

Thanks to the very open degree structure, courses completed abroad can easily be recognised, particularly for the Master's degree course. Research internships and final theses completed abroad can also be easily integrated into the degree course. In order to promote the option to study abroad, the faculty maintains numerous cooperation agreements as part of the Erasmus+ exchange programme and offers in-depth personal guidance.

At the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, students can use state-of-the-art analysis equipment from Chemistry and Chemical Biology during lab practicals. This is supplemented by a joint NMR laboratory and a centre for mass spectrometry within the faculty. All students have access to computers and printers. Lecture theatres and seminar rooms are equipped with digital projectors and WiFi Internet access is provided.

Overarching research focuses on synthetic chemistry and chemical biology. The work carried out ranges from the synthesis and analysis of complex molecular systems, computer-aided chemistry and chemical biology through to biomedical research. In the field of drug discovery research, the department collaborates via the Drug Discovery Hub Dortmund (DDHD) with the nearby Max Planck Institute, the two Dortmund Leibniz Institutes ISAS and IfADo, and with research institutions from industry. The faculty is actively involved in the Cluster of Excellence RESOLV (Ruhr Explores Solvation).