Industrial Biotechnology

The standard duration of the Master degree program in Industrial Biotechnology is 4 semesters. Overall, the study program encompasses 120 ECTS, which are divided into 90 ECTS for modules (consisting of courses such as lectures, seminars, tutorials, and practical courses) and 30 ECTS for the Master's Thesis. 45 ECTS in mandatory modules and 30 ECTS in compulsory elective modules as well as another 15 ECTS in elective modules are to be earned. Each semester 30 ECTS should be achieved. During the first two semesters, science and engineering graduates are taught the interdisciplinary fundamentals. Choosing from a list of required elective modules, students themselves put together the semesterized curriculum, which has been adapted to the bachelor’s degree, with the help of a mentor. • Bioscience fundamentals: Students with a bachelor’s degree in engineering gain an understanding of bioscience fundamentals. • Process engineering fundamentals: Students with a bachelor’s degree in science are taught the engineering fundamentals of process engineering. • Biotechnology fundamentals: Students with a bachelor’s degree in bioprocess engineering are taught the biotechnology and engineering fundamentals. The list of mandatory and elective modules refers to the module handbook and the statute of the Master's Program Industrial Biotechnology, dated June 13, 2019. Exemplary lists of the subject modules to choose from can be found on our Wiki. Starting in the 2nd and 3rd semester, this is supplemented by subject-specific training in the mandatory focus areas, i. e. enzyme engineering, metabolic engineering, bioprocess engineering, and bioseparation engineering. Through elective modules in the first three semesters, there is also the possibility of expanding one's own competence profile with modules from a wider range of courses offered by the TU Munich or another university. Students pursue their master’s thesis in the fourth semester, ideally after they have passed all module exams. This independent, academic work is based on a topic relevant to industrial biotechnology and is supervised by a professor or any expert supervisor of the TU Munich who is a member of the departments involved in the study program. During the study program, there is the possibility to include an (international) research internship in the study plan (max. 10 ECTS). Industrial internships are also supported but cannot be incorporated into the curriculum. Evonik Nutrition & Care offers internships especially for students in the IBT Master’s program.