Biotechnology, M.Sc.

As for every other master’s degree program at TU Berlin, applicants to the Biotechnology master’s program must possess a first university degree qualifying them for professional work. Applicants to the consecutive master’s program in Biotechnology must possess a first university degree in biotechnology or a related field qualifying them for professional work. The responsible examination board will decide whether the content of the related bachelor’s degree qualifies the applicant for the master’s program. Applicants must also submit proof of the following:

• 20 credit points (LP) in math
• 15 LP in chemistry
• 15 LP in chemistry
• 25 LP in bioscience

The Biotechnology master’s program is taught in German. If you are applying with a foreign school-leaving certificate, you must submit proof of German skills at a specific level. Some courses in the master's study program are offered in English while a majority of the teaching materials are also in English. Thus, a good knowledge of English is essential to succeed in this study program.

As students work closely with biotechnological production systems in this master’s program, you should be able to critically reflect on the issues involved, particularly with regards to ethical considerations. It is also advantageous to be able to work independently and to be a self-starter as the master’s program often requires you to work autonomously.

There is a proposed course schedule for the degree program. This is a recommendation for how to complete the degree program within the standard period of study of four semesters. It provides an example of which modules to take in which semesters. While this proposed course schedule is ideal on paper, it is not mandatory. It’s simply an example of how to successfully schedule and shape your studies. The curriculum is taught through a mix of integrated courses, seminars, and labs. By completing the master's thesis independently, you demonstrate your ability to conduct scientific work.

The proposed course schedule can be found in the study and examination regulations. The most current version of the regulationsapplies to applicants.

The master’s degree program in Biotechnology is modular in design. A module combines curriculum content relating to a specific topic. Modules often include a variety of different study and teaching formats such as lectures, practical tutorials, seminars, and practical projects. Students are required to earn a specific number of credit points and complete certain coursework and assessments in each module.

A current overview of all compulsory and freely elective modules of the Biotechnology master’s program can be found in the course catalogue in TU Berlin’s module database, the module transfer system (MTS). The MTS also includes detailed module descriptions providing information about the content, learning objectives, participation requirements, workload, type of assessment, and much more. The module catalogue is based on the study and exam regulations.

An industry internship is a compulsory component of the Biotechnology master's program curriculum. The internship must last at least 10 weeks. Students are to submit proof of having completed the internship before registering for their final exam in the program. The industry internship serves to provide students with insight into the working worlds of academia and industry from an engineering perspective and allow them to apply the technical knowledge and methodological skills they've acquired during their studies in a practical environment. The internship is also intended to provide you with professional orientation, offering you insight into how you might wish to specialize and advance your knowledge. During the internship you should work in a variety of the following areas:

•   Preparation, execution, and evaluation of trials

•   Planning, project management

•   Plant operation and maintenance

•   Optimization of workflows, creation of job instructions

•   Quality assurance, operational control

•   Analysis of operational processes

•   Research and development, if existent

Further information is available in the program’s internship regulations.

You can generally complete parts of the program abroad, either in the form of study abroad or internships. General information regarding stays abroad can be obtained from the TU Berlin International Office (study abroad) and from the Career Service (internships abroad).

In the medical biotechnology specialization of the master's program, you will learn the basic principles of molecular and cellular biology pertaining to biotechnological production systems at the interface of fundamental and experimental medicine. Additionally, you will receive training in bioprocess engineering, as process engineering forms the framework of the information you will learn. In the industrial biotechnology specialization of the master’s program, you will advance your knowledge of bioprocess technology and the effects changes to technical systems have on biological systems. The focus here is on microbial cell factories. You also investigate problems and generic solution approaches, such as how to control and target the metabolic performance of microbial cellular factories.

Graduates who specialized in medical biotechnology typically work in biomedical fields of research. Graduates from the industrial biotechnology specialization often work in research and development, particularly in the biotechnology sector, the chemical industry, and the pharmaceutical industry. Due to the high added value potential, the biotechnological economic and job market is consistently expanding. Professional prospects for biotechnologists are thus very good.

The master’s degree in Biotechnology qualifies you for subsequent doctoral studies.

Guidance and choosing the right degree program: Academic Advising Service

Questions about the degree program: Course Guidance

General questions: Student Info Services

Application and enrollment: Office of Student Affairs - Graduate Admissions

Recognition of previously acquired credits: Examination Board

Specific contact points for the degree program