The programme is conducted in English and combines lectures, theoretical exercises, laboratory work and project work. You will complete two biannual research and development projects and a thesis, allowing you to tailor large parts of the programme to fit your specific academic interests. You and your study group will work with experimental and theoretical issues, such as cloning, protein engineering and microbial systems – often in collaboration with companies or as part of the university’s own research projects. You will have access to modern facilities and close interaction with professors and researchers at the highest academic level. While writing your thesis, you have the opportunity to be integrated into one of the university’s research groups with your own office space. You can also choose to write your thesis abroad with an external partner at a university or an organisation.

With a Master’s in Biotechnology, you will have a strong and broad combination of theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the field of biotechnology. You can design and conduct laboratory experiments, analyse biological systems and develop biotechnological solutions that make a difference within fields such as medicine, environment and food. You will have experience in advanced techniques such as genetic engineering, protein production and bioinformatics, and you will know how to turn complex data into concrete solutions. You will become skilled at working in cross-disciplinary teams and at communicating your knowledge to both industry professionals and decision makers.

With a Master’s in Biotechnology, you will have many career opportunities – both in Denmark and internationally. You can work with research and development in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, developing new medicines, diagnostic methods or sustainable forms of production. You can also work in the food and environmental sectors, where biotechnology plays a key role in the green transition. Some graduates choose to continue as PhD students, while others find jobs in innovation and development departments, consulting companies or public organisations, where you can help drive technological development and sustainable solutions.

On the first semester, the focus is on molecular biology an in your project you might write about topics such as cloning, next generation sequencing and bioinformatics.

Project

• Experimental Molecular Biology (15 ECTS)

Courses

• Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics (5 ECTS)
• Cell Biology, Immunology and Genetics (5 ECTS)
• Microbial Diversity and Activity (5 ECTS)

On the second semester, you will work with protein chemistry in both the courses and the project.

Project

• Protein Science (15 ECTS)

Courses

• Protein Chemistry (5 ECTS)
• Protein Structure (5 ECTS)
• Carbohydrate Chemistry (5 ECTS)

Students in this study programme will often use both 3rd and 4th semester to write their Master’s thesis. You also have the opportunity to:

• study a seemster at another university in Denmark or another country
• do an internship in a company or organisation, where you participate in solving a problem

Aalborg University has contacts at other universities as well as within the business industry, which may be of help to you, if you wish to study a semester at another university or do an internship.

Many students in this programme work with other universities or companies in relation to their master’s thesis.

You specialise in a subject of your own interest, as you individually carry out your Master's thesis research project.

When conducting your Master's thesis, you will be associated to one or more of the research groups at the Section of Biotechnology, and the areas of specialisation are typically within:

• Molecular Biotechnology
• Protein Biophysics
• Bioprocess Technology
• Genomics
• Environmental Biotechnology

Master’s thesis

• Topic of your own choice (30 ECTS)

Project examples

• Cultivation of micro-organisms or human cells for production of natural or gene-modified products
• Analysis and characterisation of proteins and their functions by advanced methods
• Gene expression analysis and modification of genes and their activities
• Environmental biotechnology and microbiology

See the curriculum. 

With a MSc in Biotechnology, you have many different career paths to choose from, depending on your choice of direction. You can work with for instance:

• Research
• Development
• Management and production in biotechnological and medical industries
• Food industry
• Teaching and education

Successful graduates will also be qualified to apply for further PhD studies.

• Engineer at Arla - working with purification of interesting molecules from milk products
• Team leader at Novozymes - working with purification of enzymes from fermentation fluids
• Chemical engineer at Novo Nordisk - working with upscaling of microbial production processes
• Chemical engineer at Novo Nordisk - working with quality control in relation to insulin production
• Chemical engineer at Novo Nordisk - working with hygiene and quality control
• Hospital chemist at Slagelse county hospital in Denmark
• Chemist at Novacta Biosystems in Hertfordshire, UK

AAU Career helps you on your way from student life to job life in Denmark by giving you the tools to examine your options and find out what to do.

While studying at AAU, you can participate in career and job-related events, find help on our website, and book a personal career counselling session to talk about e.g.:

• Finding your way in your career
• Danish working culture
• Application and CV the Danish way
• What you can offer an employer
• How to go about job search in Denmark – both student job, internship and full-time job

Read more about AAU Career here