Molecular Biotechnology
Course of studies
Degree
BachelorDuration of study (semesters)
6Language
DeutschLocation
Weihenstephan, GarchingDescription of course of studies
Molecular Biotechnology is a modern area in science dealing with the production and construction of natural as well as artificial biomolecules by means of cells and organisms. Among those biomolecules are macromolecules like proteins, nucleic acids (DNA or RNA), and polysaccharides (carbohydrate) and also low molecular weight compounds. Proteins are the most important functional biomolecules in nature. As enzymes, hormones, receptors, and antibodies, membrane, structure, transport, or storage proteins they fulfil a multitude of tasks within and outside the living cell. Their chemical structure is directly encoded in genes, and their multiple functionalities have already prompted practical application for many years. Certain enzymes, for example, serve as biocatalysts in chemical syntheses. Blood clotting factors, signalling molecules, like growth hormone, and especially antibodies gain increasing importance in medical diagnosis and therapy of diseases. Nevertheless, in most cases these biomacromolecules cannot be chemically produced and only the modern biosynthetic methods have made possible the preparation of the required quantities of these substances. The subject of classical biotechnology, which is offered by several other German universities, was mainly devoted to the production process and technological problems associated with it (like fermentation, etc.). In today’s era of gene technology, however, it has become easier to optimize the biosynthetic capabilities of the cell itself. In addition, there is no longer the limitation of merely "overproducing" natural substances, the construction and efficient synthesis of artificial biomolecules with improved or even novel properties has become possible, as well. Thus the technological know how and the commercial value is no longer primarily related to the production process but rather to the structure and function of the biomolecule. Protein design has enabled, for example, the creation of novel reagents in medicine and also of “molecular tools” for various technical applications (from environmental analytics to bio-chips). In particular this area requires the interdisciplinary combination of genetic engineering, protein chemistry, and biophysical methods together with computer simulation (bioinformatics). Its growing role in academic research as well as in the modern biotech industry leads to an increasing demand of well educated and highly qualified professionals. This has already been recognized in the USA and in several European countries. Consequently, the Technical University Munich offers new courses in Molecular Biotechnology in order to teach the relevant knowledge in an appropriate combination and comprehensive format.Curriculum (link)
http://www.wzw.tum.de/mbt/Guide to study (Link)
http://www.wzw.tum.de/mbt/Course of studies
Molecular BiotechnologyInternship
Internship
No internshipApplication and admission
Application
Online-application:http://www.tum.de/en/studies/before-your-studies/application-and-acceptance/Please note: Applicants with a foreign university entrance qualification must apply to uni-assist for preliminary inspection documentation of their university entrance qualification before applying online.
Aptitude test
yesStart of course
Bachelor: only Winter semester, Master: Winter and summer semesterApplication Period
Winter semester: 15.05. - 15.07.Summer semester: 15.11. - 15.01. for higher semester only
Admission notification
Online after verification of application documentsApplication documents
Curriculum vitae, Abitur, motivational letter, proof of pratical training/internship/additional qualification if necessary, health insuranceAttention! You will get a checklist of the required documents after completing the online application.
Application documents (International students)
preliminary inspection documentation, copy of a (foreign) school leaving certificate or examination which qualifies the applicant to study at an institution of higher education in Germany (="Abitur"), certified translation of the above document, curriculum vitae, motivational letter, proof of pratical training/internship/additional qualification if necessary, health insurance, proof of german language proficiencyAttention! You will get a checklist of the required documents after completing the online application.