Master of Science (M.Sc.) Chemical Biotechnology
Technical University of Munich Campus Straubing
Key Information
Campus location
Straubing, Germany
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
4 semesters
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
EUR 62 / per semester *
Application deadline
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Earliest start date
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* student fees per semester
Introduction
Learn from biology! Think like a chemist! Act as an engineer! The interdisciplinary Master's program in Chemical Biotechnology at the Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability.
What does a biotechnologist do?
A biotechnologist analyses naturally occurring (micro)biological processes, adapts them to the requirements of his desired product, and brings the adapted process to industrial production.
What kind of knowledge is needed?
On the one hand, knowledge in the field of microbiology and molecular biology is needed because it is important to know how to efficiently make available the enormous genetic resources from bacteria, fungi, or plants that are available for biotechnological applications and how to optimize the metabolism of the corresponding production systems.
However, also knowledge of chemistry is needed in order to develop biocatalytic processes. Biocatalysis is the basis for innovative and sustainable synthesis pathways in chemistry and it can be used to make reactions with enzymatic partial steps more sustainable.
Finally, knowledge of process engineering is needed, as a biotechnologist has to scale the biotechnological processes developed in the laboratory to the technical scale and equip them with tailor-made processing.
This means that biotechnologists must be absolute experts in the combination of these three disciplines.
That is why this course of studies is about the fact that its graduates are at home in the worlds of biology, chemistry, and process engineering and therefore have a unique new view of existing and future processes and required procedures. This is the only way they can use biotechnological approaches to advance sustainability in various research fields in the chemical industry
Admissions
Curriculum
Structure
The program consists of compulsory and elective modules from the fields of chemistry (C), micro/molecular biology (B), and process engineering (T). In addition, elective modules from the specialization areas of electrotechnology and materials science (E/M) are added. The final step is the preparation of the Master's Thesis.
Compulsory modules:
- C: Enzymatic Biotransformations
- B: Applied Microbiology and Metabolic Engineering
- T: Conceptual Design of Bioprocesses
- C/B/T:
- Artificial Intelligence for Biotechnology,
- Advanced scientific planning based on current research topics at TUM,
- Research Internship
Elective modules:
- C: Chemistry of Enzymes, Glycomics, Phytopharmaceuticals, and natural products, Surface Chemistry, Sustainable Chemistry
- B: Enzyme Engineering, Genetic Engineering, and Synthetic Biology, Methods of Synthetic Biology, Regulation of Microbial Metabolism, Plant Biotechnology
- T: Advanced Downstream Processing, Biorefinery, Electrolyte thermodynamics, Gas-based bioprocesses, Mechanical process engineering
- E/M: Electrobiotechnology, Biological materials in nature and technology, Materials science of renewable resources
- C/B/T: Advanced Analytics for Biotechnology, Advanced Concepts of Bioinformatics
Gallery
Program Outcome
Learning outcomes
After completion of the studies, one possesses a basic technical and methodical knowledge and understanding of the field of chemical biotechnology. For example, you will be able to apply biotechnological methods, test or modify isolated enzymes and entire microorganisms, participate in the development of biocatalysts, and plan biotechnological equipment and plants. In addition, one can get to know the field of electrotechnology and acquire knowledge in the field of materials science.
One is also able to directly methodically apply the current approaches dealt with in the modules with the aid of the corresponding specialist literature, i.e. to further optimize an existing fermentation process on the basis of literature data, for example. Furthermore, one is able to identify problems independently and to develop suitable ways for the processing of the corresponding research ideas via the appropriate selection of research methods.
In addition, as a graduate, you can combine your engineering and natural science basics with professional applications. Thus, thanks to your interdisciplinary knowledge in the field of chemical biotechnology, you are able to initiate research projects, plan independently and, depending on the field of activity, develop new biobased products/active substances or new processes for the production of these biobased products or new processes for the recycling of waste products.
One is also prepared to transfer processes developed in the laboratory to large-scale production.
You can work successfully in a research group, critically question and communicate your research results and deal early with the different perspectives and interests on the topic of sustainability and how these are to be taken into account in the biotechnological development of products.
After all, by taking interdisciplinary elective modules, one acquires non-technical qualifications and is thus sensitized to the non-technical requirements of professional activity.
Career Opportunities
Career opportunities
After graduating, you are qualified for a doctorate in a field of biotechnological research. The path to the biotechnological industry is also open to you. The biotechnology sector is constantly growing in terms of total turnover, the number of companies as well as the number of employees. The declared political consensus to support a progressive structural change towards a bio-based economy is expected to lead to further growth in this sector. The chances of finding a job are therefore very good.