Biotechnology: Hamburg University of Technology

The profile of engineering higher education at TUHH focuses on research and application, including practical training in industry. It is characterised by features such as humanism, the Humboldt Principle of unity of research and teaching and a solid mathematical and scientific foundation. The base of knowledge covers a wide range, and priority is given to knowledge of methodology as opposed to the mere repetition of knowledge. This allows for quick adaption to new fields of technology and new branches of employment. The solid and comprehensive education leads to the qualification and personality for a promising professional or academic career.

The challenges of modern biotechnology can only be met by a close collaboration of researchers from different disciplines. By applying modern technology, biological systems can be exploited for the production of high-value products that are needed for medical, pharmaceutical, food and chemical industries. The Master's programme in Biotechnology at the TUHH is a multi-disciplinary programme involving life sciences and engineering. The programme focuses on specific areas of microbiology, molecular biology, bioprocess engineering and reaction engineering.
The standard duration of the course is two years. In the first year students take part in lectures, exercises and laboratory work. During the lecture-free period after the second semester an internship takes place, followed by a project and a subject-specific seminar or a process design course in the third semester. The course is completed with a six-month Master's thesis in the fourth semester.

The technological challenges of modern society and the requirements of the globalised labour market call for an excellent engineering education as well as for sound additional qualifications in the fields of business and management, soft skills, and humanities. Therefore, the international Master's degree courses at TUHH include a minimum number of non-technical compulsory elective courses.