Biotechnology

Study mode:On campus Study type:Full-time Languages: English
Deadline: Jan 15, 2025
StudyQA ranking:2943 Duration:3 semestrs

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The three-semester Master's programme in Biotechnology is an intensive, laboratory-based, research-oriented training programme which immediately follows the seven-semester Bachelor's programme in Biotechnology (consecutive programme). The Master's programme starts every year in the summer semester.
After two semesters of intensive training, students complete the programme with a minimum four-month thesis project leading to the degree Master of Science.
To provide our students with a broad theoretical background in two semesters, lectures are offered on the following topics:
  • Enzyme Technology
  • Gene Technology and Society
  • Immunology
  • Intracellular Proteolysis
  • Microbial Metabolism and Regulation
  • Molecular Dynamics of the Cell
  • Nanobiotechnology
  • Phototrophic Biotechnology
  • Signal Transduction
  • Tissue Engineering

For more information, please visit: http://www.b-tu.de/biotechnology-ms.

Educational organisation

Our Master's programme focuses on achieving practical competencies, and educating autonomous, self-confident graduates. Students participate in three lab courses of five weeks each (six hours per day) in the first two semesters. Specialisation is attained by majoring in different lab courses:

First semester
  • Focus Microbiology:
    • Metabolic Analysis and Engineering
    • Enzyme Technology
    • Purification and Characterisation of Proteins
  • Focus Cell Biology:
    • Basics in Cell Culture
    • Molecular Biology: Principles, Methods and Applications
    • Nanobiotechnology
  • Focus Bioanalytics:
    • Analytics in Cell Culture
    • Enzyme Technology
    • Nanobiotechnology

Second semester
  • Focus Microbiology:
    • Nanobiotechnology
    • Microbes as Macromolecule Factories
  • Focus Cell Biology:
    • Development and Characterisation of artificial Tissues
    • Genetic Engineering of Eucaryotic Cells
  • Focus Bioanalytics:
    • Molecular Biology: Principles, Methods and Applications
    • Microalgae
  • Third semester
    • Master's thesis

To assure individual training at a high level, special emphasis is placed on individual training in small groups. Therefore the number of participants is limited. 10% of our places are reserved for foreign applicants. All lectures, seminars and laboratory courses are taught in English.
The thesis project involves experimental work under the supervision of a faculty member of the Master's programme. This work can also be carried out outside the university, i.e. in research institutes or companies.

Forms of assessment

  • Laboratory records
  • project reports
  • written examinations
  • oral examinations
  • presentations
  • colloquia
  • thesis

Course objectives

The three-semester Master's programme in Biotechnology is an intensive, laboratory-based and research-orientated course of study comprising lectures, seminars and lab courses. Lectures and seminars focus on students' theoretical understanding, while lab courses improve their skills for research work. A high standard of individual training is ensured, since the number of admissions is limited. The Master's degree should qualify students for future research work or for a doctoral thesis. The thesis must be presented as a manuscript for submission to a peer-reviewed journal, as a patent application or as a traditional thesis.

Language requirements

Certificate of proficiency in English. Accepted are:
  • a TOEFL certificate, minimum score of 79 points (iBT)
  • an IELTS certificate, minimum 6.0
  • a Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (min. grade B)
  • a Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (min. grade C)
  • a UniCert certificate, minimum grade II
Knowledge of German language is appreciated and an advantage, but not obligatory.

Academic requirements

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent in biotechnology, biochemistry, or biology with outstanding results
  • Bachelor's thesis reflecting at least four months of subject-related experimental work on an academic level
  • certified copy of the transcript of records (TOR) (list of subjects taken and grades received)
  • at least 70 credit points or 60 hours per semester in biological subjects
  • Bachelor's thesis translated into German or English (as a print copy or on a compact disc)
  • minimum of six months of subject-related off-campus practical experience (placement, etc.)

Enrolment fees

Students are required to pay an enrolment fee of approx. 259 EUR per semester. This fee includes some services offered by the student services (Studentenwerk Frankfurt/Oder) and the BTU student council. The fee also pays for a semester ticket, which permits free travel on all public transport with VBB in the state of Brandenburg and in Berlin as well as free use of the regional train (RE 18 and 15) to Dresden.

Costs of living

The cost of studying abroad can differ significantly from studying in your home country. We recommend that students budget between 550 to 700 EUR per month for accommodation, health insurance, living expenses, books, etc. Of course, this amount depends entirely on the individual lifestyle.
Monthly costs:
  • rent (incl. utilities): 170-280 EUR
  • groceries: 150 EUR
  • health insurance, medical fees, medication: 80 EUR
  • miscellaneous (clothing, study materials, other activities): 100-200 EUR
Total: 550-750 EUR
You will not need to pay for public transport in Berlin and Brandenburg. The semester ticket for buses and trains operated by VBB is already included in the semester fee.

Job opportunities

There are job opportunities both in town and on campus. Nevertheless, please do not come to Germany expecting to be able to finance your entire studies by working. The study load is high, and it is not always easy to find a part-time job. Non-EU citizens are allowed by law to work for a maximum of 120 days per year. Students who are employed by the university in one of the institutes or departments ("Studentische Hilfskräfte") are exempt from this regulation, but other restrictions apply.

Arrival support

The university's International Relations Office assists foreign students with registration and enrolment procedures at the university upon arrival. It also holds an information session at the beginning of each semester covering administrative procedures and cultural events that are offered throughout each semester. The BTU holds an orientation week each October prior to the beginning of classes. During this week, each faculty offers orientation sessions. New students are provided with detailed programme information as well as academic advice and have the opportunity to meet professors and other students at these orientation sessions. The student organisation, OTIWO, offers cultural events throughout this week. Attendance is highly recommended! The university's tutor group "BTU Buddies" and the student council are there to assist English-speaking students in the international programmes. For example, they will accompany the students when registering for health insurance and with municipal authorities.

Services and support for international students

To ensure that international students feel comfortable on the BTU campuses and around the cities of Cottbus and Senftenberg, the Student Activities Office, run by the International Relations Office, offers services such as cultural events, excursions, job and career advice, home stays with German families, and much more.
For more information, please consult this website. See: https://www.b-tu.de/en/international/incoming-students/during-studies
Furthermore, intensive guidance is provided by professors, lecturers, and programme officers within the study programmes.

Accommodation

Most students live in on-campus student residences. Rooms are mostly either single with a shared kitchen and bathroom or one-room apartments. Prices range from 190 to 270 EUR. More information on accommodation is available at http://www.studentenwerk-frankfurt.de.
Private off-campus accommodation is also available. You can rent your own apartment or share with other students. Private accommodation can be found on the Internet at: https://www.b-tu.de/en/international/incoming-students/arrival.
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