Medical Biotechnology

Study mode:On campus Study type:Full-time Languages: English
Foreign:$ 14.5 k / Year(s)  
201–250 place StudyQA ranking:5252 Duration:24 months

Photos of university / #aaustudieliv

How can we develop methods for identification of microorganisms in the human body? What are the roles of proteins in infected tissue? And how can we manufacture therapeutic substances by means of proteins and microorganisms?

Through theory, experimental work in the laboratories, and problem based group work the Medical Biotechnology programme will allow you to help find the answers to these questions.

The Master’s programme allows you to work with people, medicine, and biotechnology, and you get the chance to immerse in subjects like medical microbiology, molecular methods in modern medicine, and manufacturing of biopharmaceutical products.

Why study at Aalborg University?

  • You will have access to high quality laboratories
  • You will conduct problem based project work allowing you to develop your collaboration skills and solve real-life problems with your group members using your academic knowledge
  • You will experience research-based teaching, problem based learning, and a high degree of interaction with industrial partners

Rated for excellence

Aalborg University is rated for excellence in the QS-ranking system. Aalborg University has received five stars certifying the world-class position of the university based on cutting-edge facilities and internationally renowned research and teaching faculty.

Within Engineering and Technology, Aalborg University ranks as number 79 in the world.
The QS Stars system is a detailed comparative tool focusing on the performance of the institution based on a broad set of criteria, such as employability, facilities, innovation, research, teaching, and internationalisation.

Problem based learning (PBL)

Aalborg University is famous for its problem based learning where you work in a team on a large written assignment often collaborating with an industrial partner. This study method is also called “The Aalborg Model for problem based learning”. The method is highly recognised internationally, and UNESCO has placed its only professorial chair in PBL at Aalborg University.

The problem based project work at Aalborg University gives you a unique opportunity to acquire new knowledge and competences at a high academic level in an independent manner.

Job and career

As graduate from the Master’s programme in Medical Biotechnology you will have a wide range of job opportunities. You can form your own profile depending on which subjects you choose to specialise in. There are many possibilities, and you can choose to combine the subjects in your own unique way across professional boundaries.

To mention a few examples of possible career paths, you can become researcher at a hospital or biopharmaceutical company, consultant in molecular biology and methodologies, or you can continue your research career as a PhD student.

During the first two semesters you focus on molecular biology and protein chemistry.
The last two semesters you spend working on your Master’s thesis, within fields like e.g. diagnosis, proteins in humans, or gene technology.

You can specialise yourself in one or more of the following subjects:

  • Medical microbiology
  • Molecular methods in modern medicine
  • Manufacturing of biopharmaceutical products

Medical Microbiology

Medical microbiology concerns the identification of pathogenic microorganisms in the human body and the understanding of their role in connection with infections and diseases. Furthermore, you will work with developing methods for reducing the damaging effects of some microorganisms.

You can work with issues such as:

  • Which microorganisms are to be found in the human body in connection with wounds and implants? Which role to they play, and how do they interact?
  • Which microorganisms are damaging, and which can have a beneficial effect?
  • How do we design procedures and treatments that can fight infectious microorganisms?

Molecular Methods in modern medicine

Molecular methods in modern medicine concerns the understanding of how genes and proteins function and can be regulated, their health related effects, and diagnosing.

You can explore subjects such as:

  • Small molecules in blood and tissue during disease
  • Proteins and their roles in infected tissue

Manufacturing of biopharmaceutical products

By specialising in manufacturing of biopharmaceutical products you will work with the production of pathogenic versions of specific proteins in order to examine their changed functions in the laboratory. Moreover, you will work on producing therapeutic materials by use of enzymes and microorganisms.

You can examine questions like:

  • How are the functions of proteins changed when we produce mutants where specific amino acids have been changed?
  • How can we produce both recombinant proteins and therapeutic materials by using the right enzymes and microorganisms?
Semester structure

1st semester

Molecular Biology in Medical Biotechnology (15 ECTS)

Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics (5 ECTS)

Cell Biology, Immunology and Genetics (5 ECTS)

Microbial Biotechnology (5 ECTS)

2nd semester

Medical Protein Science (15 ECTS)

Protein Chemistry (5 ECTS)

Protein Structure (5 ECTS)

Carbohydrate Chemistry (5 ECTS)

3rd semester

Individual semester or external studies (30 ECTS)

4th semester

Master's thesis (30 ECTS)

In order to apply you must hold one of the following undergraduate degrees:Bsc in Chemical EngineeringBsc in Environmental EngineeringBsc in Chemistry and BiotechnologyBsc in ChemistryIn addition, you must take an English proficiency test. The official English language requirements for international students applying to Aalborg University are:IELTS (academic test):** 6.5 www.ielts.org orTOEFL (paper-based):* 550 www.ets.org/toefl orTOEFL (computer-based):* 230 www.ets.org/toefl orTOEFL (internet-based):* 80 www.ets.org/toefl orCambridge ESOL:* C1 www.cambridgeenglish.orgFor further details please refer to apply.aau.dk English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 TOEFL paper-based test score : 550 TOEFL iBT® test: 80
Similar programs:
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Foreign:$ 14.5 k / Year(s)
201–250 place StudyQA ranking: 9098
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Foreign:$ 14.5 k / Year(s)
201–250 place StudyQA ranking: 5750
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Foreign:$ 15.2 k / Year(s)
Deadline: Apr 1, 2024 187 place StudyQA ranking: 2923
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 71.1 k / program Foreign:$ 71.1 k / program
201–250 place StudyQA ranking: 3842
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 11.7 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 22.3 k / Year(s)
Deadline: Jan 15, 2025 16 place StudyQA ranking: 4604
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 26.2 k / program Foreign:$ 26.2 k / program
301–350 place StudyQA ranking: 3002