Molecular and Applied Biotechnology M.Sc.

 

RWTH offers a Master's in Molecular and Applied Biotechnology which is based on the Bachelor course of study and intensifies studies in four different research fields: red, gree, and white biotechnology and process engineering.

The Master course of study “Molecular and Applied Biotechnology” was designed within the interdisciplinary collaboration involving the engineering sciences at RWTH Aachen to blend the natural sciences and strong bioengineering components. In addition to molecular biology subjects, process engineering basics, reaction engineering and bioreactor technology are the main cornerstones of the training for this consecutive program and are an essential basis for the continuing training in the Master’s program.

The course of study is very much research oriented. Application-oriented research is highly valued. The interdisciplinary character between molecular biotechnology and process engineering is underscored by mandatory modules. "Red biotechnology" is represented by a selection from other faculties.

Characteristics of the RWTH Course of Study

RWTH Aachen is one of the leading technical universities in Europe. It maintains numerous international relationships and is incorporated into the Bioregio Rheinland, among others, through its Life Science activities. An interdisciplinary forum at RWTH Aachen and LifeTec Aachen-Jülich were established for life sciences. The Jülich Aachen Research Alliance (JARA) exists between RWTH Aachen and Forschungszentrum Jülich. The main area in biology is JARA-Brain. Bionics at RWTH are integrated into the Bionik Netzwerk BIOKON and the Bionik Zentrum Bonn. Furthermore, the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, the GAIAC environmental research institute, and starting in 2014, the Materialforschungsinstitut DWI (Deutsches Wollforschungsinstitut) from the Leibniz Association, are all located in Aachen.

The size and diversity of RWTH enables students to have a set specialization within the subject based on their own needs and abilities, unlike anywhere else. Biotechnology at RWTH Aachen is represented in many natinoal and international associations such as the Excellence cluster "Tailor made fuels from biomass“ and the EU large project Pharma-Planta.

 

Degree Content

In the Master’s course of study students take three compulsory modules in the fields industrial biotechnology, molecular biology, bioanalytics, and protein and process design. The mandatory modules are organized into four pillars:

• White Biotechnology
• Greem Biotechnology
• Red Biotechnology
• Process Engineering

Every student chooses one concentration pillar. From this concentration pillar the student selects at least two lecture modules and at least two internship modules.

Programs Abroad

The faculty maintains research and teaching collaborations with a number of European and non-European universities. Academic stays or internships abroad are highly recommended. During Bachelor studies it is possible to spend a semester abroad at one of our numerous European partner universities through the ERASMUS exchange program or to complete a research program through the UROP program. The department's website can provide more information about both possibilities. The database Moveonline Exchanges is helpful if you would like an overview of all of RWTH's programs abroad.

Internships

Master's studies are very much application oriented in all of the specializations. The Institute of Biology's outstanding equipment makes it possible to offer a corresponding institute practical in almost every module. Students also have the opportunity to complete comprehensive research internships in the discipline of their choice. Research internships in industry are also supported. This supports Aachen graduates' broad spectrum of methodological knowledge and experience.

 

Prerequisites

A prerequisite for starting studies in a first university degree, with which the necessary background education can be proven, as determined in the exam regulations. The exam board determines whether it fulfills the entrance requirements.

Please read the department's page with more information.

 

Decision Aids

Students in the biotechnology course of study advance their knowledge in molecuar biotechnology (molecular biotechnology and gene technology) and in applied biotechnology and process engineering. This is where RWTH's curriculum drastically differs from that of other universities. An understanding of economic problems is important for biotechnology, since it is the most important career field in industry. Here students have diverse and extraordinary possibilities for development.

Students who are exclusively interested in natural science and biology such as molecular and cellular biology, genetics, neuroscience, bionics, or molecular medicine, are not particularly suited to the course of study in molecular and applied biotechnology. We recommend reading the description for the Master's course of study in biology at RWTH Aachen.

 

Media Library

Do you want more glances and impression? Use our diverse information available! You can find our recommendations in the Bachelor in biotechnology media library.

 

Career Prospects

As an interdisciplinary science, biotechnology offers diverse field of work depending on one's specialization. The first possibility is research work conducted through doctoral studies. Depending on students' interests and discipline, universities and university hospitals, external research institutions, such as the Fraunhofer, Max Planck, and Helmholtz institutes, and research companies all offer a potential job market. The focus on application, technical components, and the possibility to acquire additional qualifications (such as business administration, computer science, medicine, engineering sciences, and languages) offers good possibilities for finding jobs in industry. Aside from research, examples also include employment in quality management, supervising studies, product development, marketing, or sales. Natural scientists are becoming more important in consulting. Numerous official offices and scientific services offer an interesting job market. The Federal Employment Agency annually publishes investigations into the job market for academics in Germany and into the job market for the natural sciences and computer science. Here you can find the current brochure to download.

 

Examination Regulations

Regulations that apply for all Bachelor and Master courses of study as well as detailed information about the necessary documentation of required language skills can be found in RWTH’s Comprehensive Examination Regulation. Examination regulations are only published in German as they are legally binding.

Subject Specific Exam Regulations regulate academic goals, the course of study layout, and exam procedures. The appendix to the regulations contains the description of the modules, from which the course of study is composed.

 

Faculty

The Master course of study in Biotechnology is offered by the Department of Biology in in the Faculty of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Natural Sciences.