StudyQA — Master: Life Science and Technology (Biotechnology) — Delft University of Technology (Page 2)

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The cell is the building block of life - the smallest unit with the characteristics of living systems. Life Science & Technology draws on fundamental and applied knowledge from the disciplines of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Technology, Informatics, Pharmacology and Mathematics to unlock the secrets of the cell and understand its mechanisms.

This offers great promise not only on the theoretical level, but also for very practical applications: in developing cleaner industrial processes, better medicines, and more effective methods for combating diseases, in facilitating the isolation of enzymes for the development of improved foodstuffs, and in countless other applications.

Theory and practice
This programme aims to equip you with knowledge and expertise on the fundamental level and to familiarise you with the technologies inherent to practical applications of that knowledge. As a graduate of the programme, you will be prepared for a career in either an industrial or an academic environment. Career opportunities for graduates of the programme abound in biotechnological, food, and biopharmaceutical industries, the healthcare profession.

Tracks
The MSc programme in Life Science & Technology comes in three "flavours", each of which finds its expression in track-specific courses and in the subject of the Master's research project. Each track has a somewhat different emphasis, as described below.

* Biocatalysis
* Biochemical Engineering:
* Cell Factory

Combining different tracks
Choosing any particular track will not in any way limit your job opportunities. In any case, the timetable for the programme has been set up to make it possible to follow two (or even three) tracks at the same time. This gives you the possibility to first sample the different flavours, and only later in the first year to definitively choose a particular track.

Track Biocatalysis
Without biocatalysis - the use of natural catalysts to effect chemical processes and transformations - beer and cheese would not exist. But biocatalysis is also vitally important for the production of chemicals and pharmaceutical products, and biocatalysts are integral to many biotechnological applications.

An ancient science with a firm place in the future

TU Delft maintains a world class programme in biocatalysis. The multidisciplinary programme draws on knowledge across a range of emerging life science technologies to gain deeper understanding of biocatalytic processes, to use that knowledge to improve the efficiency of existing biocatalytic processes, and to explore new applications based on biocatalysis.

What you will learn

The Biocatalysis track integrates enzymological, bio-organic, bio-inorganic and protein-analytical knowledge, with the aim of imparting an understanding of the principles of biocatalysis. The track covers theoretical aspects of biocatalysis and practical knowledge - both of which are essential to the process of determining the structure and function of single or multiple enzymes.

In particular, the students will learn about modern kinetic, analytical and computer graphical methods used in present day protein/peptide/enzyme research. As catalysts, enzymes are essential proteins in all living organisms. They are also used in numerous industrial conversions. The track gives students insight and understanding into:

* dealing with enzymes in practice,
* studying enzyme properties, structures, functions and possible links to disease, and
* selecting the most suitable enzymes for specific industrial applications.

Track Biochemical Engineering
In a world where we are challenged to develop sustainable industrial processes, biochemical engineering offers great promise. Biochemical engineering is essential, for example, to develop and manage the processes by which micro-organisms such as yeasts and bacteria are used to make products that could only be fabricated until recently with classical industrial chemistry.

Biochemical engineers are deeply involved in research and the development of green alternatives to many processes that simply cannot otherwise be continued over the longer term. In fact, biochemical engineers are playing a crucial role in many fields, including the development, design and production of vitamins, hormones, drugs, vaccines, diagnostics, bioplastics, and biofuels; the processing of food and drink; the cleaning of wastewater and the recycling of waste streams.

Engineering breakthroughs in human health, agriculture, industry and environmental science

The Biochemical Engineering track is concerned with new processes that involve cells or constituent parts of cells such as enzymes, and which are based on sustainable feedstocks. Bioprocess engineers are essential for a wide range of applications including the production of vitamins, drugs, vaccines, diagnostics , bioplastics, and biofuels; the manufacture of foods and drinks; the cleaning of wastewater; and the recycling of waste streams.

What you will learn

Students learn how to design bioprocesses and gain an awareness of the importance of a solid understanding of the underlying cellular, molecular and physical principles for the engineering aspects of bioprocesses. The teaching of the basics of biochemical engineering is integrated into (and often supplemented by) individual research projects in engineering and biotechnology. A quantitative approach is used, involving mathematical modelling and computer tools.

Graduates of the programme will have knowledge of applications involving microbial organisms, systems and processes and the skills to move into a wide range of positions in this exciting and increasingly important field.

Track Cell Factory
Although humans have long exploited living cells to produce useful products - alcohol, cheese, and bread are examples from the dawn of civilisation - it has only been in the last half century or so that the technologies have existed to control those processes in such a way as to really be able to speak of a 'cell factory'. It is now possible to control and manipulate living cells to harvest a wide variety of substances produced in these 'factories'.

Those substance range from proteins and amino acids to solvents and plastics, with applications of great value not only in commercial and industrial sectors, but also in health care and food production. Cell factories may also present opportunities for sustainable production systems and for the development of new, biodegradable chemical products.

Using cells as production systems

The Cell Factory track focuses on the design, understanding and optimisation of living cells as environmentally and economically sustainable production systems. The track offers courses which provide students with the fundamental knowledge needed to use (microbial) cells and communities for the production of valuable substances ranging from food ingredients to fuels. The embedding of this track in TU Delft's MSc Programme in Life Science and Technology ensures that students joining the Cell Factory track will learn how to integrate and communicate knowledge drawn from fast-changing fields such as systems biology, synthetic biology and community engineering of industrial micro-organisms with the specialist knowledge inherent to bioprocess engineering and biocatalysis.

What you will learn

The programme provides its graduates with both the theoretical underpinnings of cell factories and an understanding of the engineering and industrial requirements for exploiting the enormous potential of the cell as a production system. Graduates will, accordingly, find excellent career opportunities in academia and in industry.

What is required to be considered for admission to an MSc programme? Please note: if you do not meet all the formal requirements, it is no use applying.1)A. A good university Bachelor's degree in a main subject closely related to the MSc programme to which you are applying, with good grades on the key courses.orB. A proof that you have nearly completed a Bachelor's programme in a main subject which is closely related to the MSc programme to which you are applying, with good grades on the key courses.Exceptions: Management of Technology, Engineering and Policy Analysis and Science Education & Communication, to which all students holding any Bachelors of technology or science / engineering degree may be admitted.2)A Bachelor's Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 75% of the scale maximum, unless specific requirements are defined for the country in which you obtained your Bachelors degree: * Countries A - H * Countries I - P * Countries Q - ZPlease note: if you have not graduated yet your CGPA must meet the requirements at the time of application.3)Proof of English language proficiencyOnly nationals from the USA, U.K., Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Canada are exempt from the proof of English language proficiency requirement. Applicants who obtained a bachelors degree in one of the mentioned countries, are also exempt from the proof of English language proficiency requirement.Certificates older than two years are not accepted. As the whole process of collecting information, registering for the tests and receiving the test results may take several months, we advise you to register for the IELTS or TOEFL several months before starting your application.It is allowed to send us a copy of your test results, please check the application documents for detailed information. * For EU/EFTA nationals, the English language certificate may be submitted until 1 July provided that all other required hard copy documents are received before the application deadline of 1 April. * Nationals of the Peoples Republic of China only: for visa purposes you need a Nuffic certificate as proof of your English language proficiency. In order to obtain the Nuffic certificate you will need to take the IELTS or TOEFL internet-based test.4)A clear and relevant essay in English (1,000 - 2,000 words) addressing the following:Your motivation for taking the MSc programme of your choice. * Your motivation for taking the MSc programme of your choice. * Why you wish to pursue this programme abroad and/or in the Netherlands in particular. * Why you are interested in TU Delft and what you expect to find here * If there are optional specialisations in the Masters programme of your choice: which specialisation(s) interest you most, and why? * Describe your hypothetical thesis project; what kind of a projectwould you prefer if you were free to make a choice? Also briefly explain what you would want to explore in your thesis project. Provide a maximum of three hypothetical thesis topics and elaborate on your particular interests in them. * A brief summary (maximum 250 words) of the thesis work or the final assignment (to be) done for your Bachelors programme, including information on the credits earned, grade, and full workload.5)Two reference letters in English, French, German or Dutch: * one from from a professor or an assistant professor from the faculty from which you graduated. * one from your employer, if you already have work experience.If you have not yet graduated or do not have work experience, you need to provide two letters from professors or assistant professors from the faculty at which you are studying.6)An extensive résumé (curriculum vitae) written in English.7)Proof of identity8)Please note:Applicants for Architecture Urbanism & Building Sciences, Design for Interaction, Integrated Product Design and Strategic Product Design are required to upload a digital portfolio. Please note that only uploaded portfolios will be processed. The programme specific portfolio requirements are described on the following pages: * portfolio requirements for Architecture Urbanism & Building Sciences (and its five tracks) * portfolio requirements for Design for Interaction * portfolio requirements for Integrated Product Design * Portfolio requirements for Strategic Product Design English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 CAE score: (read more) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) is part of the Cambridge English suite and is targeted at a high level (IETLS 6.5-8.0). It is an international English language exam set at the right level for academic and professional success. Developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment - part of the University of Cambridge - it helps you stand out from the crowd as a high achiever. 60 (Grade C) TOEFL iBT® test: 90