Molecular Biotechnology (Master of Science)

In the Master's program in Molecular Biotechnology, you will deal with the production and construction of natural and artificial biomolecules. While classical biotechnology is mainly concerned with the production route and the associated engineering process – such as fermentation or separation processes – molecular biotechnology focuses on the biosynthetic performance of the cell itself. It also concerns the construction and efficient synthesis of artificial biomolecules with improved or completely new functions through protein design. This links to the new field of Synthetic Biology. By intervening in the structure and function of the biomolecule, you can change the genetic configuration of the producing cell or organism. This field of work therefore requires the interdisciplinary application of genetic engineering, protein chemistry and biophysical and bioinformatics methods.

The focus of "molecular" biotechnology is on the biomolecules themselves. This means in particular the macromolecules – in addition to lipids and metabolic intermediates (metabolites) – and the cells that synthesize them. Cells, both microorganisms and cultured cells from animals or plants, are of interest not only as producers but also as objects of study.

Technical instruments and aids, from ultra-modern physical measuring instruments to fermentation plants and computer methods, play a major role in molecular biotechnology.

After the Master's program, you can stay at university and do a doctorate or enter the biotechnology industry. In the medical field, you will find jobs in the development of pharmaceuticals and therapeutics, help in the further development of diagnostics, and conduct research work on interfaces, for example in prostheses or tissue replacement. If you are more interested in industrial biotechnology, you can find work in developing new processes and materials from renewable resources. Alternatively, you could go into the agricultural sector and work with genetically modified plants and animals as well as modified microorganisms.

The Master's program in Molecular Biotechnology course is based on five topics:

• biomolecules
• cells
• organisms
• medicine
• technology

40 credits must be earned in this core area. Theoretical and specialized practical modules allow you to create your competence profile in 2 main areas and learn experimental techniques in everyday research. At least 45 credits must be chosen from this area.

You can also choose interdisciplinary qualification modules to deepen your language skills, or on the topics of politics, economics, ethics, or culture. 5 credits can be achieved from these areas.

The language of instruction is mainly German; therefore, you should provide evidence that you have sufficient knowledge of German.

Interest aroused? Just take a look at an exemplary curriculum!

As a graduate of the Master's program in Molecular Biotechnology, you will be able to analyze complex scientific questions in the field of biotechnology, molecular biology, and related disciplines, structure procedures and evaluate research results. This also enables you to write a subsequent dissertation.

You will have deepened your knowledge in special fields such as protein engineering, molecular microbiology, genetic engineering, or structure-based bioinformatics and can independently identify research questions, create reports, and analyze the results accordingly.

You will understand the structure and properties of biomolecules, for example, a protein, and be able to use this knowledge to design strategies for modifying the protein’s functions. Your skills will be in demand, for example, when it comes to developing biological agents for the treatment of serious diseases.

You will be familiar with molecular biological methods, such as genetic analysis, cell culture techniques, and enzymatic processes and their theoretical foundations, which you can apply in research and industry. Your application-oriented education also makes it easy for you to familiarize yourself with complex tasks.

During the application period you can easily apply for a place in the winter semester through the application portal TUMonline. You simply upload your documents for admission to the Molecular Biotechnology program directly to the portal.

The prerequisite for admission to a Master's program is a qualified bachelor's degree of at least six semesters or an at least equivalent degree in the fields of life sciences biology, biology, molecular biotechnology, biochemistry, or a comparable program of study at a German or foreign university. You can also apply when you are about to graduate– we want you to be able to continue your studies quickly! You can find more details in the Academic and Examination Regulations; see Appendix 2 on the aptitude assessment for the Master's program.

In this aptitude assessment, your aptitude and motivation will be assessed and it will be determined whether you meet the specific requirements for the Master's program in Molecular Biotechnology.

First, your bachelor's degree grade and the submitted documents are evaluated using a point system (curricular analysis). Depending on the number of points achieved, applicants are then offered admission instantly, rejected, or invited to a selection interview.

If you are subsequently admitted, you must submit a few certified hard copies for enrolment.

• Curriculum
  The degree chart gives you an overview and recommendation, which modules you should take in which semester according to academic and examination regulations (FPSO).
   
• Timetable (TUM ID required for login):
  This timetable is intended to give you an overview of the planned compulsory and elective modules of a semester. It is for orientation purposes only and will not be updated during the semester! 
  
  Via TUMonline you can have a timetable created for each semester according to FSPO.
  
  You can also create your own individual timetable, which can contain not only the dates of the selected courses, but also your personal appointments.
  
  First steps with TUMonline

Your individual study plan for your statutorily correct study planning. Please edit exclusively with Windows PC and exclusively with MS-EXCEL!

• General Academic and Examination Regulations at TUM (APSO)
• Academic and Examination Regulations (FPSO)
• Examination dates & registration via TUMonline
  In TUMonline you can register for the module examinations that accompany your studies. 

  Important: You can only take most of the exams if you have actively registered yourself via TUMonline within the registration period. The registration and deregistration period will be displayed at the exam date.

• Further examination matters
  • Academic progress check
  • Examinations
  • Recognitions
  • Theses

• Board of Examination
  The board of examination is a committee consisting of university professors and lecturers of the degree program. The chairperson of the board of examination of your degree program is Prof. Dr. Prof. Dr. Brigitte Poppenberger-Sieberer. Applications to the board of examination are received by the secretary and submitted to the board of examination for decision. You can reach the secretary by sending an email to examination.co@ls.tum.de.

Scientific Project Planning (WPP)

Scientific Project Planning (WPP) is part of the thesis and should be taken successfully before starting the actual thesis (for students starting the master program from WiSe23/24). - only for students who started their studies before WiSe 2023/24!

The Scientific Project Planning (WPP) is a compulsory examination for Master students of Biology and is evaluated with 5 credits. It must be successfully completed before beginning the Master's thesis. Registration for the WPP is possible from 70 credits and can be done either simultaneously or after registration of the Master's thesis.

• Handbook for Scientific Project Planning (WPP)
• Form for the notification of scientific project planning
• Grade notification form for scientific project planning  (not applicable for students starting WiSe23/24)

All information about the WPP is also available in the module description in TUMonline (module number WZ22101). From start of study WiSe23/24 in WZ2590.

Important information on the submission of theses

A pre-study internship is not required for admission.

Bus connection Weihenstephan – Garching

More information about

• Internships
• Excursions