Master's in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology

The Master’s degree programme in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology prepares you for challenging careers in one of the most innovative fields of modern pharmacy. Biopharmaceuticals—medicines produced using biotechnology—are becoming increasingly important in the treatment of diabetes, cancer, and autoimmune diseases. In this three-semester degree programme, you will develop a deep understanding of the complex processes involved in the development, manufacturing, and quality assurance of these cutting-edge medications.

Scientific Expertise with Practical Applications

In this master’s program, you will acquire in-depth knowledge and practical skills in these key areas:

• Fundamentals of molecular biology and biotechnological manufacturing processes
• Pharmaceutical development and drug optimization
• Pharmacological mechanisms of action and therapeutic applications
• Bioprocess engineering and purification of biotechnological products
• Quality assurance and regulatory frameworks
• Red, white, and green biotechnology with pharmaceutical relevance

You’ll learn how modern biopharmaceuticals are developed, manufactured, and tested, and what role they play in the treatment of various diseases. There is a special emphasis on hands-on training in small groups in state-of-the-art laboratories. Here, you will apply molecular biology, biochemistry, and analytical methods and gain insights into bioprocess engineering. The combination of molecular biology expertise, pharmaceutical knowledge, and process engineering skills will optimally prepare you for the diverse challenges involved in the development and production of biotechnological drugs.

The master’s degree programme in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology provides you with comprehensive scientific training in this promising field over the course of three semesters. The degree programme equips you with both fundamental and applied knowledge and allows you to tailor your focus through compulsory elective modules.

In the first semester, you’ll gain in-depth knowledge of the molecular biology of microorganisms and bioprocess engineering—two essential pillars of biotechnological drug production. Modules on pharmacology, biocatalysis, and pharmaceutical fundamentals provide you with a broad understanding of the interplay between biotechnology and pharmacy. Through compulsory elective modules, you can already begin to set your own academic focus. The second semester deepens your knowledge with modules on molecular plant biotechnology, pharmacology, pharmaceutical biology, and pharmaceutical law. Elective modules such as drug design or applied bioinformatics allow you to pursue further specializations. In the third semester, you’ll devote yourself entirely to your master’s thesis, in which you’ll independently conduct scientific research on a current topic.

Admission Requirements

• A successfully completed Bachelor’s degree in biotechnology or an degree of equivalent equivalence (210 ECTS)
• For Bachelor’s graduates with 180 ECTS credits, a preparatory semester is offered in the winter semester
• Knowledge in the fields of general biology, biochemistry, genetic technology, microbiology, and molecular biology
• Sufficient proficiency in English to read specialized literature and follow lectures taught in English
• For international students: Demonstrable knowledge of the German language (e.g., a C1 or C2 certificate from the Goethe-Institut)
• Interest in pharmaceutical topics
• Willingness to engage with analytical and biotechnological issues
• Enjoyment of hands-on laboratory work

Foundation Semester (PSS)

Applicants with a bachelor’s degree equivalent to 180 ECTS credits must complete a Foundation Semester (PSS) before beginning the master’s program. During the PSS, students must complete six modules from the Bachelor degree programme in Molecular Biotechnology .

During the PSS, all students must take the following three modules:

• Applied Microbiology/Upstream Processing (Module No. 257950)
• Bioanalytics (Module No. 216100)
• Toxicology (Module No. 258100)

In addition, students must select three further modules from the following five:

• Bioinformatics (Module No. 21900)
• Bioprocess Engineering (Module No. 145300)
• Immunotechnology (Module No. 258300)
• Downstream Processing (Module No. 258000)
• Enzymology (Module No. 216050)

Upon successful completion of the PSS, a Transcript of Records detailing the academic achievements from the PSS will be issued. Enrolment in the Master’s program in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology will then take place automatically.