Biotechnology (Master)

Degree	Master of Science
Standard duration of study	4 semesters
Language of instruction	German
Start of programme	winter and summer semester
Admission	restricted admission (special admission requirements)

Key technology of the 21st century: Biotechnology is the source and driver in numerous applications in medicine, the food and feed industry and the chemical industry.

It is an interdisciplinary and application-oriented science and is considered one of the key future technologies of our time.

What is special about TU Braunschweig?

Innovative and focused on practice: Studying in the Braunschweig research region

At TU Braunschweig, you can look forward to a practice-oriented degree programme in which we will prepare you for your future career in the best possible way. The environment is a big plus here: Important major biological research institutions are located in the region, with which there is intensive cooperation:

Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI)
Thünen Institute - Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries (TI)
German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures (DSMZ)
Julius Kühn Institute - Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants (JKI)

This is what you will benefit from during your studies: Scientists from these research institutions hold lectures and teach in practical courses in the Biotechnology degree programme and also supervise a large number of student research projects, theses and doctoral dissertations. Due to the broad research spectrum, you can choose from a variety of specialisations.

Many institutes of the University also cooperate closely with commercial enterprises and conduct their research in a very application-oriented manner. This offers you the opportunity to carry out your student research project or write your thesis in the industry and to get in contact with potential employers.

Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (HZI)
Thünen-Institut - Bundesforschungsinstitut für Ländliche Räume, Wald und Fischerei (TI)
Deutsche Stammsammlung für Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen (DSMZ)
Julius Kühn-Institut - Bundesforschungsinstitut für Kulturpflanzen (JKI)

Das kommt Ihnen im Studium zugute: Wissenschaftler dieser Forschungseinrichtungen halten Vorlesungen und Praktika im Studiengang Biotechnologie ab und betreuen darüber hinaus auch eine große Zahl von Studien-, Abschluss- und Doktorarbeiten. Durch das breite Forschungsspektrum stehen Ihnen vielfältige Vertiefungsrichtungen zur Verfügung.

Viele Universitätsinstitute kooperieren darüber hinaus eng mit Wirtschaftsunternehmen und betreiben ihre Forschung sehr anwendungsnah. Hier haben Sie die Möglichkeit, Ihre Studien- oder Abschlussarbeit in der Industrie durchzuführen und so erste Kontakte zu potentiellen Arbeitgebern zu knüpfen.

Information on the study programme

Current scientific issues

In the Master’s degree programme, which builds directly on the Bachelor’s degree programme, you will look into current scientific issues. In addition to compulsory subjects, you will also choose your area of specialisation.

Compulsory subjects include:

reaction kinetics and mechanical process engineering
molecular biotechnology
analytical/industrial aspects of biotechnology
biocatalysis and biosynthesis
thermal process engineering

In addition, you must select one of the following three areas of specialisation:

applied cell biology (specialisation)
applied molecular biology (specialisation)
bioprocess engineering (specialisation)

You will also take courses in which you acquire important key skills for your professional life. You can choose from foreign language courses and courses from outside of the subject area, a course on project management as well as a course on vocational preparation including an excursion to a biotechnological company.

The degree programme ends with a Master’s thesis, which you complete over a period of six months and in which you work independently on a scientific problem. You can carry out your Master’s thesis in one of the numerous working groups at TU Braunschweig, in one of the major research institutions in the region or with cooperation partners in the industry.

After the Master’s degree, you have the opportunity to do a doctorate, provided you are qualified.

Semester abroad

If you want to study abroad for a certain period of time, you can do so thanks to a number of exchange programmes in place with universities in Europe and North America. You can integrate semesters spent abroad into your studies; credits obtained abroad can be recognised at TU Braunschweig.

Studying abroad [in German only]

Biotechnology is a rapidly growing industry and biotechnologists are in great demand. In research and industry, there are diverse fields of work, including in:

pharmacy
chemical production with biocatalytic processes
food industry
agricultural sector
environmental protection
energy supply
research institutions and public authorities

Admission requirements and application

You can apply for this Master’s degree programme if you have a Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline and have sufficient practical laboratory experience. Please note that there are some admission requirements for the Master’s degree programme in Biotechnology. For example, basic knowledge in at least six of the following areas is required: biochemistry, biodiversity, bioinformatics, bioprocess engineering, microbiology, genetics, molecular cell biology, biotechnology, or technical biochemistry. You can find more information on the admission requirements in our admission regulations [in German only]. Please carefully read the information provided before you submit your application!

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