Master's programme in Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology
Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology involves the understanding of how to design and operate life science based processes, which are optimized with respect to product quality and finance, but also how to make qualified decisions that will promote the formation of a sustainable society.
Career prospect
Graduates are expected to possess the skills necessary for any future professional career in the biotechnology field (or related) as well as for further academic studies.
Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology involves the use of enzymes and microorganisms to make products specifically or provide services such as wastewater treatment. It is of great importance to sectors such as fine and bulk chemicals, pharmaceuticals or building blocks for these, food & feed, paper & pulp, energy, textiles and other polymeric materials. Thus, it is in this extensive industrial community where we primarily find future career possibilities. Other career opportunities can be found in academic research, patent and consultant agencies, finance, and research politics or in journalism.
The general vision is that Europe will have made substantial progress towards a bio-based society by 2025, and in particular that the European chemical industry will regard biotechnology as an essential part of the process and product development tool kit. This means that the market for bioengineers likely will continue to grow in the future, and that industrial/environmental bioengineers will be one of the cornerstones in forming a sustainable society.
Programme outline
The mandatory courses comprise 88.5 ECTS (94.5 ECTS for International students) of which the final degree project is 30 ECTS. To reach 120 ECTS, the students must choose among a list of recommended courses but some may also be chosen freely from elsewhere. Thus, the students can tailor their education towards different profiles, e.g., “Industrial-Process design” or “Environmental-Environmental systems analysis”.
Skills such as problem solving and project work, as well as oral and written presentation, are trained in several courses. The education is closely coupled to the research undertaken at the School of Biotechnology and to Swedish Bio/Pharmaceutical/Chemical industry.
Degree project
Degree project in Biotechnology, 30 ECTS. You may choose one of the available thesis projects at the School of Biotechnology. If the project is conducted externally, please note that you need an examiner from KTH for the project to be registered at KTH.
