biokunde

Biokunde is a term historically used in German-speaking contexts to denote the science of living organisms, commonly equated with biology or life sciences. The word combines bio- (life) with kunde (knowledge or study), and it has appeared as the name of a school subject in various German-speaking regions. In contemporary education, Biologie is the standard term, but Biokunde persists in older textbooks and in some regional vernacular usage.

Scope: Biokunde covers basic concepts about living systems, including cell structure and function, genetics, evolution, physiology, ecology, and the diversity of life. It often emphasizes observational skills, scientific inquiry, and the application of life-science knowledge to health, agriculture, and environment.

History: In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Biokunde was widely used as the designation for natural science education focusing on living things. Over the 20th century, many curricula shifted to Biologie as the preferred term, aligning with broader naming conventions in science education. Some regions retained Biokunde in secondary curricula or in regional references.

Modern usage: Today, Biologie is the dominant label in German-language education and science communication. When Biokunde appears, it is usually in historical texts, older course catalogs, or regional references. The term remains a useful historical illustration of how life sciences were taught and named in the past.