Before studying Biotechnology

Are you looking for a master's degree that combines biosciences with state-of-the-art technical fields of application? Are you interested in a career in the pharmaceutical industry, biomedical research, environmental technology, or the chemical industry? Would you like to deepen your knowledge in the various biotechnological fields and complete internships in multinational companies? If so, this master's degree is just right for you.

<p>The degree program Biotechnology at MCI</p>

The degree program Biotechnology at MCI

<p>Campus Tour at the MCI</p>

Campus Tour at the MCI

<p>Welcome to MCI - The Entrepreneurial School®</p>

Welcome to MCI - The Entrepreneurial School®

Overview

Biotechnology is one of the key disciplines of the 21st century, offering enormous potential for growth and professional development. On the one hand, this is due to advances in biomedical research, which are leading to the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. On the other hand, the chemical industry is showing a growing interest in biotechnological processes in order to reduce its ecological footprint and increase the efficiency of the processes used. In addition to the pharmaceutical, chemical and food industries, environmental technology is also strongly influenced by biotechnological processes.

The master's program in Biotechnology at MCI is aimed at motivated people who want to translate bioscientific know-how into products. The program covers all steps from the gene to the product and teaches the methodological and problem-solving skills needed to tackle a wide range of issues. This is why graduates find themselves in research and development positions as well as in all areas of biotechnological applications.

During your studies, you will have the opportunity to spend your third semester at one of MCI's international partner schools or to write your master's thesis abroad in the fourth semester.

Christoph Griesbeck
Prof. Dr. Christoph Griesbeck Head of Department & Studies
Do you have questions about studying? We look forward to hearing from you.
+43 512 2070 - 3800

Downloads

Das MCI Gebäude im Herbst

MCI | The Entrepreneurial School®

Why not study at the top?

MCI | The Entrepreneurial School® is one of the most successful universities in the German-speaking region and Europe. Renowned business experts teach in small groups, distinguished lecturers ensure academic quality in all areas, and the dedicated MCI team supports students in their endeavors such as internships, research, and stays abroad.

Read more

Admission

Applications for admission are accepted on a rolling basis. The required documents are to be submitted online. Applicants are welcome to apply for multiple programs of study, as long as a plausible rationale is given. The final decision may be taken by the end of the application procedures.

Dates & Deadlines
 

Application
deadline

 Interview
Date 1 Nov 17, 2024 Nov 25, 2024
Date 2 Feb 2, 2025 Feb 10, 2025
Date 3 Apr 6, 2025 Apr 14, 2025
Date 4 May 18, 2025 May 26, 2025
Prerequisites

The requirements for admission to the Master’s degree program in Biotechnology include a relevant Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent post-secondary education.

The Master’s degree program is designed as a follow-up to the Bachelor’s degree program in Biotechnology & Food Engineering or related studies at the Bachelor’s level. Graduates of programs with a curriculum including a minimum number of relevant classes may also be admitted. This applies, in particular, to graduates of biology, pharmacy, and biochemistry courses. The relevance of courses is assessed by the respective head of department and studies, who also decides whether a degree can be recognized.

Procedures

In just two steps to your desired study program at MCI:

Step 1 – Online application: CV & motivation

A complete online application consists of a CV, a letter of motivation, information on educational background, qualifications, professional career, social achievements and academic as well as professional goals. We would like to know why you are applying to study at MCI.

You may apply for more than one degree program at the same time, provided you can conclusively explain your respective motivations in your letter of motivation.

Step 2 – Online admission interview

In the second step, all applicants will be invited to an online admission interview.

In this interview, we want to get to know you. We are particularly interested in your motivation to study at MCI as well as your professional and personal goals you want to achieve with the help of your studies.

Within three weeks after the admission interview, we will inform you about the admission decision.

The interdisciplinary orientation and quality of content taught in the Biotechnology program proved to be the ideal preparation for my career entry.

Julia Mayer
Julia Mayer
graduate of Engineering, Environmental & Biotechnology

By covering a diverse range of topics, this course connects with the industry in a way which specialized courses of study cannot.

Stefanie Delueg
Stefanie Delueg
graduate of Engineering, Environmental & Biotechnology

It has been a pleasure to work with such amiable and competent students in this special environment.

Dr. Klaus Reichert
Dr. Klaus Reichert
director of downstream processing at Roche Diagnostics Ltd.

While studying Biotechnology

The master's degree program in Biotechnology is held entirely in English. It is characterized by high quality content, proximity to business, and internationality. Through close cooperation with our partners from industry, you will gain valuable practical experience during your master's studies.

The courses of the study program includes on the one hand method-specific modules such as molecular biotechnology, bioprocess engineering, cell culture technology and bioinformatics, which are relevant to all areas of biotechnology. On the other hand, the two specializations Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Ecobiotech focus on various fields of application in biotechnology. Thanks to project-based learning, industry excursions, internships and laboratory work, you will benefit from a strong practical orientation. In addition, key management skills are taught that prepare you to assess the economic impact of decisions made.

Specialization Pharmaceutical Biotechnology

The specialization Pharmaceutical Biotechnology focuses on the development, production and analysis of biopharmaceutical products such as antibiotics, vaccines, enzymes and therapeutic antibodies, which make a significant contribution to healthcare. The cooperation with leading biopharmaceutical companies worldwide through first-class experts and industry excursions provides state-of-the-art knowledge in topics such as drug development, upstream and downstream processing, bioanalytics and molecular diagnostics.

Specialization Ecobiotech

The Ecobiotech field of study deals with ecological and sustainable applications of biotechnology. These include topics such as environmental biotechnology, biological soil remediation and water purification, bioremediation, green chemistry and sustainable bio-based production processes as well as biorefineries. As a result, graduates of the degree program can apply dedicated biotechnological methods to environmental technology and industrial production and thus contribute to the ecological transformation of the economy.

Module Overview
Subject%
Biotechnology 42,5%
Current Industrial Projects 10%
Scientific Methods & Master Thesis 37,5%
General Management 10%
Curriculum and Courses
A. Biotechnology
 1234
Bioprocess Engineering & Cell Culture Technology 4 | 6      
Molecular Biology & Physiology 6 | 8      
Plant & Food Biotechnology  3 I 4       
Upstream Processing & Pharmaceutical Technology   5 | 8    
Downstream Processing   3 | 4    
Bioanalytics   3 | 4    
Industrial Biotechnology      4 | 6  
Bioinformatics       4 | 6  
Biopharma & Diagnostics     3 I 5  

Semester Credit Units | ECTS-Credits

B. Projects
 1234
Project Biotechnology I 3 I 4      
Project Biotechnology II   3 I 4    
Project Biotechnology III     3 I 4  

Semester Credit Units | ECTS-Credits

C. Scientific Methods
 1234
Biostatistics & Scientific Methods 3 | 4      
Biodata Science & Scientific Methods   5 | 6     
Regulatory Framework & Scientific Methods     5 | 5  
Master's Thesis       3 | 30

Semester Credit Units | ECTS-Credits

D. General Management
 1234
General Management 1  2,5 I 4      
General Management 2    2 I 4    
General Management 3      2 I 4  

Semester Credit Units | ECTS-Credits

 

 

Time Model
Full-time

The Masterprogram Biotechnology is a full-time degree program. In full-time studies, lectures and seminars are held on weekdays, with blocked units allowing for an intensive immersion into individual topics.

The classes usually take place from Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 12:15 and / or from 13:00 to 16:15. In exceptional cases, the times may vary and the lessons and / or examinations may take place outside the specified times or possibly on Saturdays.

Academic Degree

Graduates of the program are conferred the academic title of Bachelor of Arts in Business, in short BA or B.A. This is attested by a leaving certificate, the Bachelor diploma, the international diploma supplement, and further documents where relevant. MCI Alumni are entitled to combine their academic degree with the brand “MCI” to provide trust and orientation in an increasingly intransparent international education market. Example: BSc (MCI). 
Source: GZ BMWF-52.330/0195-I/6/2013

Double Degree

In addition to the possibility of a semester abroad at one of the numerous MCI partner universities or the option of writing your master's thesis abroad, this degree program also offers two double degree options:

- "Medical-Pharmaceutical Biotechnology" with the University of Genoa, Italy

- "International Biopharma" with the University of Padova, Italy

In both double degree programs, students spend one year at MCI and the second year at the respective partner university. This allows students to obtain a degree from both institutions.

In addition, students have the opportunity to apply for the "Connected Programs: Biotechnology/Molecular Medicine". This cooperation between the MCI and the Medical University of Innsbruck combines the two master's programs and enables you to obtain both master's degrees (Biotechnology at the MCI and Molecular Medicine at the Medical University of Innsbruck) within six semesters.

Optional Double Degree with the Medical University of Innsbruck (Connected Programs, Molecular Medicine)
Optional Double Degree with the University of Padua
Optional Double Degree with the University of Genoa
Study Cooperations
Roche

Roche, the world's leading pharmaceutical and diagnostics company, is sponsoring students at MCI as part of a study cooperation. Selected students of the Master's program in Biotechnology are given the opportunity to take up employment during their studies. During the semester breaks, they gain practical experience in the company and receive grants throughout the entire duration of their contract. The exact procedure is explained in the first semester at an information event by a Roche representative. Interested parties must go through an admission procedure at Roche.

Novartis

The international biopharmaceutical company Novartis supports students at the MCI within the framework of a study cooperation. Interested students can apply for cooperation positions as early as the end of the first semester in order to work at Novartis during the lecture-free periods and subsequently write their master's thesis there. During the contract period from the end of the 2nd semester until the end of their studies, students receive a monthly salary.

Sandoz

The global leader in generics pharmaceuticals and biosimilars offers MCI students a study cooperation wherein students gain experience through working at the company as well as writing their Master Thesis with them, alongside experts in the field. They receive a monthly salary from the 2nd semester until the end of their Thesis.

Cooperation & Career Partners

  • Adler Lacke

  • Helmholtz-Zentrum München, Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt

  • Landwirtschaftliches Versuchszentrum Laimburg, Südtirol

  • Leukocare

  • Lonza

  • Novartis

  • Sandoz

  • Oroboros Instruments

  • Roche

  • Wacker Chemie

International Outreach

One of the most essential components of MCI study programs is their international orientation. This is reflected not only in the curriculum and assigned projects, but also in the backgrounds of our faculty and students. The program also includes the opportunity for students to spend the 5th semester abroad at one of MCI’s many partner institutions.

Beschreibung

Study Abroad

at our partner universities around the world.

Copyright https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisbon#/media/File:Vista_de_Lisboa.jpg | Alexander De Leon Battista | CC: by-sa - Namensnennung, Weitergabe unter gleichen Bedingungen
Portugal
Instituto Superior Técnico
Read more
Copyright https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W%C3%A4denswil#/media/File:Z%C3%BCrichsee_-_W%C3%A4denswil_IMG_2654.jpg | Roland zh | CC: by-sa - Namensnennung, Weitergabe unter gleichen Bedingungen
Schweiz
Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZHAW
Read more
Copyright https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krakau#/media/File:Krakow_Wawel_G53.jpg | Ludvig14 | CC: by-sa - Namensnennung, Weitergabe unter gleichen Bedingungen
Polen
Jagiellonian University
Read more
Show all icon

Practice

At the Entrepreneurial School®, providing a consistent link between science and practice has top priority. Therefore, we provide our students plenty of opportunity to put their newly acquired knowledge to practice, even during their studies. The collaboration with companies and organizations of different sizes and sectors forms one of the cornerstones of the MCI concept. Such cooperative work does not only benefit our students, but also, ­to a large extent our partners.

Food Science & Biotechnology

Innovations from the fields of food technology, biotechnology, functional & convenience foods and bioengineering will have a decisive impact on future viability. The growing demand in this area offers the opportunity to expand research activities in a targeted manner. The central topic here is the solution of current questions that arise along the value chain, from the production of plant raw materials and algae to technological utilization and product characterization. Novel approaches from engineering and natural sciences are used.

  • Agricultural Raw Materials & Algae Biotechnology

  • Molecular Biotechnology & Bioengineering

  • Food Production & Product Analysis

Research Priorities icon

After studying Biotechnology

Studying at MCI is an investment in a successful future. Through close cooperation with industry and the practical orientation of all courses, MCI graduates are in particularly high demand on the job market and have several job offers even before graduation.

Professional opportunities

During your studies, you will have the opportunity to apply for a study cooperation. The master's degree program in Biotechnology cooperates with the companies Roche, Novartis and Sandoz. Selected students receive an employment contract after the second semester and complete an internship and their master's thesis at the respective company while continuing their studies at MCI.

You may also write your master's thesis at a wide variety of companies and research institutions outside of the study partnerships.

The interdisciplinary program opens up a wide range of career opportunities for graduates, including:

  • Biomedical research and development

  • Pharmaceutical industry and diagnostics

  • Chemical industry

  • Agriculture, fertilizer & fodder industries

  • Apparatus & plant engineering for biotechnological applications

  • Measuring, testing and analysis

  • Environmental engineering

  • Public infrastructure, associations, and interest groups

  • International co-operations, and organizations

  • Consulting, free-lancing

Success Stories

Hilal Yamaner
MA Biotechnology
Hilal Yamaner

Process/Project Engineer for Biotechnological Plants, VTU Engineering Switzerland AG

Read more
Philipp Heider
MA Biotechnology
Philipp Heider

Medical Science Liaison Oncology, Daiichi Sankyo AG (CH)

Read more
Read all icon

Continue studying

The completion of a Master's degree program subsequently qualifies graduates for the relevant doctoral program and to exercise the profession of a state-certified civil engineer.

Graduates of the "Biotechnology" master's degree program are entitled to admission to doctoral studies in technical sciences in accordance with Federal Law Gazette II No. 241/2009.

Christoph Griesbeck
Prof. Dr. Christoph Griesbeck Head of Department & Studies
Do you have questions about studying? We look forward to hearing from you.
+43 512 2070 - 3800

News

Biotechnology

Biosynthesis of Hydrogen from Biomass Using Dark Fermentation
Biosynthesis of Hydrogen from Biomass Using Dark Fermentation
Innovative research project at MCI investigates promising energy source
MCI Professorship for Harald Schöbel
MCI Professorship for Harald Schöbel
The Entrepreneurial School® awards professorship to Dr. Harald Schöbel, BSc
Orientation Days at MCI: Navigating Student Life in Innsbruck
Orientation Days at MCI: Navigating Student Life in Innsbruck
From campus essentials to Austrian culture, MCI’s Orientation Days for international students guided through their exciting new chapter
Show more

Questions & Answers

I have not yet received my bachelor’s degree certificate. Can I still apply?

Yes, it is possible and recommended that you apply before obtaining your bachelor’s degree certificate in order to secure one of the limited places in your desired course of study. Please include the most recent transcript of records in your application. Should your application be successful, the bachelor’s certificate is to be submitted by the start of your studies.

Is it possible to apply for two or more study programs?

Multiple applications are welcome as long as you provide a plausible reason in your cover letter. If you are admitted to two or more study programs, you are required to inform us of your final decision by the conclusion of the application procedures.

What is the tuition fee?

For citizens of the following countries, the tuition fee is EUR 363,36 per semester plus a fee for compulsory membership to the Austrian National Union of Students:

  • EU citizens,

  • EEA and Swiss citizens, and

  • non-EU citizens who, according to § 2 of the University of Applied Sciences Studies Act, are subject to § 1 of the Regulation on Eligible Groups of Persons (see Federal Law Gazette II No. 340/2013, in its current version).

For students of non-EU countries not considered eligible according to above regulations, the tuition fee is as follows:

  • Bachelor’s programs: 7,000 euros / semester plus compulsory Austrian National Union of Students membership fee

  • Master’s programs: 7,000 euros / semester plus compulsory Austrian National Union of Students membership fee

Your application documents regarding nationality will be assessed in detail as part of your admission procedure. Scholarships are available for applicants from non-EU countries and can be applied for as part of your online application.

Do I have elective options during my studies?

As part of the cooperation with the Faculty of Biology at the University of Innsbruck, it is possible to take individual electives in the master's degree programs there. The double degree options offered are another way of specialization. The double degree "International Biopharma" together with the University of Padova enables students to specialize in pharmaceutical biotechnology. The double degree "Medical-Pharmaceutical Biotechnology" with the University of Genoa represents a specialization in medical biotechnology. In addition, you have the opportunity to spend a semester abroad at one of the numerous MCI partner universities. As these universities offer a range of courses in different areas of biotechnology, you can also choose a partner university to focus on your individual interests. Finally, you can select the topic of your choice for your master's thesis.

When do lectures take place?

Lectures and seminars are held on weekdays. To facilitate a more intense discussion of individual topics, some lectures may also be organized in blocks.

Is attendance mandatory?

Attendance is generally mandatory. Missing more than 25% of a course will affect the successful completion of the course. Students may request an exemption from mandatory attendance in exceptional and justified cases, such as illness or visits to the authorities. Please submit your written request including relevant proof to the department for approval.

What is a double degree and how can I apply?

This study program offers two double degrees, one each in collaboration with the University of Padova and the University of Genoa. Students apply for the double degrees during their first year of studies, and admission is based on their grades obtained until the point of application.

What are Connected Programs and how can I apply?

The Connected Programs provide you with the opportunity to obtain a degree by completing lectures both in the master’s degree program in Biotechnology at MCI and the master’s in Molecular Medicine at the Medical University of Innsbruck.

The program is designed to deepen and complement your theoretical and practical knowledge of molecular life sciences. It equips you with the professional expertise required to apply your skills to the development of respective products and services. The first and fourth semester are held at the Medical University of Innsbruck, while the second and third are held at MCI. The final year requires you to write two master’s theses, one at each institution. This semester also includes the master’s examination.

In order to be admitted to the Connected Programs, you have to apply to both MCI as well as the Medical University of Innsbruck and complete respective admission procedures. At MCI, you must apply by March to be considered for this program.

Can I go on a semester abroad while studying?

Yes, there is the option of spending the third semester at one of the numerous partner universities or the fourth semester as a research semester in order to write the master's thesis abroad. Students who do not wish to go abroad attend the regular courses at MCI together with incoming students from the partner universities.

We're happy to assist you!
Are you interested in studying at MCI? Our team will answer all your questions regarding studies, application, and career options.
We look forward to hearing from you
+43 512 2070-0 Contact directly Contact via WhatsApp
Chat with our students

Our students share their experiences and give insights into courses, projects, and student life in the vibrant Alpine city of Innsbruck.

Start chatting
Check out our Study Finder

Discover the program that suits you.