Msc in Biotechnology

Programme overview

Biotechnology is a key enabling technology that offers strong innovation potential for the sustainable development of society. Research and development in biotechnology continue to improve processes and develop products that have a profound impact on various sectors, such as healthcare and pharmaceuticals, agriculture, food and feed, environmental remediation, as well as the production of chemicals and biofuels.

Lund University is among the leading universities in the world for research and education in biotechnology. It is home to several world-renowned scientists who have strong links to the industry – from large multinational companies to small enterprises based on research developed within our departments.

The Master’s in Biotechnology is a broad programme covering scientific and technological aspects of biotechnology tools and processes for industrial production and environmental remediation, biocatalysts including enzymes and microorganisms, process monitoring, product recovery and process design. To prepare our students for their final semester Master’s thesis, nearly all of our courses include practical exercises. It is therefore recommended that students who apply to this programme have acquired laboratory skills during their Bachelor’s degree.

Programme structure

Compulsory courses:

• Food Microbiology (7.5 credits)
• Bioprocess Technology (7.5 credits)
• Green Chemistry and Biotechnology (7.5 credits) and
• at least one of Biotechnology, Process and Plant Design (15 credits) or Project in Life Science (15 credits)

Electives:
in total at least 37.5

• Bioanalytical Chemistry (7.5 credits)
• Biochemical Reaction Engineering (7.5 credits)
• Protein Engineering (7.5 credits)
• Probiotics (7.5 credits)
• Enzyme Technology (7.5 credits)
• Metabolic Engineering (7.5 credits)
• Chromatographic Analysis (7.5 credits)
• Environmental Biotechnology (7.5 credits)
• Bioinformatics (7.5 credits)
• Gene Technology (7.5 credits)
• Immunotechnology (7.5 credits)
• Downstream Processing in Biotechnology (7.5 credits)

After completing this programme, you will:

• Have a high level of general skills in the various aspects of biotechnology processes.
• Have improved your communication skills by way of discussions and by practising written and oral presentations.
• Be able to suggest processing conditions for the industrial manufacturing of biotech products with regard to the production systems, choice of raw materials, biological catalysts, energy efficiency and sustainability.

Career prospects

Due to our close links with local and international industry, the programme is closely aligned to market needs, and there is a clear emphasis on the engineering aspects of biotechnology. During your studies, you will meet not only researchers at the departments but also guest lecturers from biotech companies working with, for example, product development and marketing. Your future job could be anywhere in the world – in a small start-up or a large multinational company, a government authority or a university. Our alumni move on to roles within research and development, process operations, product development and sales.

The programme also provides an excellent foundation for continuing your studies at PhD level.