MSc Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology
Stockholm, Sweden
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2025
TUITION FEES
SEK 342,000 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* non-EU/EEA/Swiss is 342,000 SEK.
Introduction
The master's programme in Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology provides a deep understanding of how to design and operate state-of-the-art life science-based processes with respect to product quality, sustainability and finance. Graduates have the competencies and skills to use cells, cell components and biomolecules to produce commodities such as chemicals, food, biofuels, clean water or soil and biomaterials for the development of a sustainable society.
Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology at KTH
The two-year programme comprises advanced courses regarding biotechnological tools used for developing industrial processes, sustainable production of commodities and the impact of such operations on the environment and society. The education provided is based on our world-leading research at KTH, is comprehensive and prepares you for future careers in Sweden or internationally in the private and public sectors.
The programme offers three tracks to provide specialisation within a particular industrial biotechnology field: cell-based process biotechnology, enzyme technology and environmental biotechnology. You can tailor your education by choosing one track and complementing it with courses from other tracks or biotechnology courses from other master's programmes. It is also possible to cherry-pick courses from any track to create your unique professional profile.
Courses contain both theoretical knowledge and practical applications on topics ranging from fundamental science, experimental design, production, analysis and life cycle assessment. The curriculum provides a cross-platform approach to enable you to acquire unique and individualised expertise that appeals to many employers. You train problem-solving skills, project management as well as professional communication. During the last semester of the programme, you work on a master's degree project in a research setting at KTH, in industry or in a university or research institute anywhere in the world to acquire specialisation within a relevant topic.
The programme curriculum is designed, taught and continuously updated by a team of internationally recognised professors and researchers within the different subject areas, in collaboration with representatives from the private sector. The programme is given by the School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health in Stockholm with access to facilities, infrastructure and instrument park available at the KTH Campus in Stockholm at AlbaNova University Center.
Admissions
Curriculum
Year 1
The student should complete all courses within the one track.
Students enrolled in Degree Programme in Engineering Chemistry or Chemical Engineering at KTH
The course BB1030 Microbiology is mandatory
The course BB1300 Cultivation Technology is mandatory
Students lacking prior courses in sustainable development and project management
The course CB1000 Sustainable development and project management is mandatory
Mandatory courses
- Biomolecular Structure and Function (BB2165) 7.5 credits
- Theory and Methodology of Science with Applications in biotechnology (CB1030) 3.5 credits
- Industrial Management for Biotechnology (ME1040) 4.0 credits
Year 2
There might be changes.
Mandatory courses
- Degree Project in Biotechnology, Second Cycle (BB200X) 30.0 credits
- Bioprocess Design (BB2520) 15.0 credits
Program Outcome
Sustainable development
Graduates from KTH have the knowledge and the necessary tools to improve society in a sustainable way, as sustainable development is an integral part of all programmes. The Biotechnology sector is considered to be one of the main players in the development of a sustainable society and is able to tackle current and future societal challenges. The courses focus on topics related to the majority of the 17 sustainable development goals. The master’s programme in Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology prepares students for careers focusing on the development of more effective and environmentally friendly production of commodities. The three key sustainable development goals that are best aligned with the master's programme in Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology are:
- 6 Clean Water and Sanitation
- 7 Affordable and Clean Energy
- 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
The programme provides knowledge and understanding about how biological processes and cellular components are used to create new technologies, industrial processes and biotechnological products. Knowledge is acquired on how microorganisms are orchestrated to remove contaminants from water and soil or to produce biomolecules that can serve as raw materials. Microorganisms are used to design and create effective and sustainable production of products from food ingredients to detergents, paper and textiles. Sustainability is a key aspect that features in all areas of biotechnology and that continuously combines science and technology to improve, simplify or streamline industrial manufacturing of products or services.
Sustainable development
Graduates from KTH have the knowledge and the necessary tools to improve society in a sustainable way, as sustainable development is an integral part of all programmes. The Biotechnology sector is considered to be one of the main players in the development of a sustainable society and is able to tackle current and future societal challenges. The courses focus on topics related to the majority of the 17 sustainable development goals. The master’s programme in Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology prepares students for careers focusing on the development of more effective and environmentally friendly production of commodities. The three key sustainable development goals that are best aligned with the master's programme in Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology are:
- 6 Clean Water and Sanitation
- 7 Affordable and Clean Energy
- 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
The programme provides knowledge and understanding about how biological processes and cellular components are used to create new technologies, industrial processes and biotechnological products. Knowledge is acquired on how microorganisms are orchestrated to remove contaminants from water and soil or to produce biomolecules that can serve as raw materials. Microorganisms are used to design and create effective and sustainable production of products from food ingredients to detergents, paper and textiles. Sustainability is a key aspect that features in all areas of biotechnology and that continuously combines science and technology to improve, simplify or streamline industrial manufacturing of products or services.
Research Scientists, PhD student, Field Application Specialist, QC Scientists, Project Manager, Science Communicator, Laboratory Manager, Operation Developer, Sales Representative, Patent Analyst, Research Associate.
Scholarships and Funding
KTH offers four different scholarship opportunities for master's studies. The KTH Scholarship covers the tuition fee of a one or two year master’s programme. The KTH One-Year Scholarship is aimed at current KTH master's programme students and covers the tuition fee of the second year of studies. The KTH Joint Programme Scholarship is aimed at students in certain joint programmes and covers the tuition fee for the study period spent at KTH. The KTH India Scholarship is aimed specifically at students from India.
- KTH Scholarship
- KTH One-Year Scholarship
- KTH Joint Programme Scholarship
- KTH India Scholarship
Swedish Institute
The Swedish Institute (SI) offers a number of scholarships for students from targeted countries coming to Sweden.
KTH associated scholarship organisations
KTH cooperates with the following organisations providing scholarship opportunities for prospective KTH students.
- COLFUTURO (Programa Crédito Beca) for students from Colombia
- LPDP (Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education) for students from Indonesia
- FUNED for students from Mexico
Scholarship portals
IEFA database
The IEFA database offer a comprehensive scholarships search, grant listing and international student loan programmes.
Studyportals
The Studyportals scholarship database lists over 1,000 scholarship and grants for students worldwide applying for studies in the EU.
Scholars4dev
Scholarships for Development is a database of scholarships open to students from developing countries.
WeMakeScholars
WeMakeScholars helps students from India secure education loans from banks and NBFCs. They also lists more than 26,000 international scholarships from different trusts, foundations and govt. bodies.
Deferment of student loans in the United States
KTH is an accredited institution at the US Department of Education and holds a Title IV 'Deferment Only' status (OPE ID 03274300). US students may defer payments on existing federal student loan accounts while enrolled in a master’s programme at KTH. The 'Deferment Only' status does not allow students to take out federal student loans for enrolment at KTH. However, the accreditation facilitates grant and loan opportunities for US students as many private student loan institutions in the US use this designation as a requirement to grant new loans. Students who wish to defer payments must contact their lending institution in the US.
Several scholarship options are available. Please check the institute website for more information.
Gallery
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the programme will acquire the skills necessary either for a professional career in the biotechnology industry or for further academic studies. The Industrial Biotechnology sector is expanding worldwide, offering anyone with a master’s degree in Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology vast career opportunities within the manufacturing of bioproducts or equipment, research and development, biotechnological services, including those found in patent and consultant agencies, research policy, journalism and finances.
After graduation
Research Scientists, PhD students, Field Application Specialists, QC Scientists, Project Managers, Science Communicators, Laboratory Managers, Operation Developers, Sales Representatives, Patent Analysts, and Research Associates.
Student Testimonials
Program Tuition Fee
Program Admission Requirements
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