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MSc Medical Biotechnology

The master's programme in Medical Biotechnology provides a solid foundation for the development of sustainable biotechnological solutions and their use in health care. Students acquire knowledge about state-of-the-art techniques, experience in operating technological platforms and analysing big data in the context of human health. Graduates have the competence necessary to research and develop diagnostics, disease prevention tools and therapies.

Application deadlines for studies starting 2024

16 October (2023): Application opens
15 January: Last day to apply
1 February: Submit documents and, if required, pay application fee
21 March: Admission results announced
August: Arrival and study start

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Medical Biotechnology at KTH

This two-year master's programme comprises advanced courses that focus on tools used to analyse a variety of biological samples for life science research, as well as for health care applications within diagnostics and drug development. The student will be provided with in-depth knowledge about scientific methodologies used for comprehensive analyses of biological systems, and their applications for advanced health care or medical surveillance. The programme offers extensive biotechnology training to tackle global needs in the area of life sciences, thus enabling students to prepare for careers both in Sweden and internationally.

The programme offers two tracks: medical applications of biotechnology and omics, that are designed to provide specialisation within a specific field of biotechnology. The student shall complete all courses within the chosen track and can then tailor their education by adding courses from the other track, other courses in biotechnology or related subjects.

Courses comprise both theoretical knowledge and practical application of theory, from experimental design to bioinformatic and statistical analysis of raw data and interpretation of the results. The curriculum provides a cross-platform approach that enables students to acquire a unique and individualised expertise that appeals to a wide span of employers. The students train problem-solving skills, project management as well as professional communication. During the last semester of the programme, the students work with a master's degree project in a research setting at KTH, in industry or a university or research institute anywhere in the world and acquire specialisation within a relevant topic.

The programme curriculum is designed, taught and continuously updated by a team of internationally recognised researchers within the different subject areas, in collaboration with representatives from the private sector. The programme is given by the School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health in Stockholm with access to facilities, infrastructure and instrument park available at Solna Campus (Science for Life Laboratory) and KTH Campus in Stockholm (AlbaNova University Center).

Courses in the programme

Programme Presentation

In this webinar recording from October 2023, you will learn everything you need to know about the master's programme in Medical Biotechnology. Programme director John Löfblom and student Pooravi host the webinar.

Students

Find out what students from the programme think about their time at KTH.

Pooravi from India

"My time at KTH has been nothing but wonderful. From learning new courses to brainstorming in classes and making friends from all over the globe, it's been a fascinating and joyful ride, and the facilities are very good."

Pooravi from India

Meet the students

Career

The combination of technology, biology and bioinformatics with an emphasis on applications in medicine, taught in the master's programme in Medical Biotechnology, provides an attractive profile for a professional career in the biotechnological and pharmaceutical industry or for further academic studies. These areas are expanding worldwide, which gives a graduate in Medical Biotechnology opportunities for a career in companies involved in the development of drugs, medical analyses and diagnostics, or further work with academic research, research policy, journalism, patent agencies, or as a consultant. Many of the graduates go on to doctoral studies.

After graduation

Research Scientists, Research Associate, Project Manager, Science Communicator, Field Application Specialist, Laboratory Manager, QC Scientists, Patent Analyst, Sales Representative.

Eric von Otter, University of Cambridge

"I am a researcher in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Cambridge. Through my research, I am trying to determine the structure and function of protein complexes involved in genome replication and recombination."

Eric von Otter, University of Cambridge

Meet the graduates

Sustainable development

Graduates from KTH have the knowledge and the necessary tools to improve society in a sustainable way, as sustainable development is an integral part of all programmes. The Medical Biotechnology field creates and maintains sustainable solutions to societal challenges regarding human health. Sustainability is a key aspect that features in all areas of Biotechnology, from genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic characterisation of whole organisms, to the development of diagnostics and therapies. The three key sustainable development goals that are best aligned with the master's programme in Medical Biotechnology are:

Sustainable development goal 3. Good Health and Well-Being
Sustainable development goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Sustainable development goal 9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

The master's programme in Medical Biotechnology focuses on cutting-edge technologies used to explore biomolecules in humans at a holistic level, as well as understanding how biological processes function and are altered in disease. The acquired knowledge is applied to the design of innovative diagnostic tools, drugs and therapies capable of curing diseases and improving human health. Besides knowledge about how health and life quality can be improved, the programme also focuses on how technology can be used and further developed to characterize the interplay between humans and microorganisms, and how such knowledge can be used to benefit the development of a sustainable society and preserve life.

Faculty and research

The School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health conducts research in both fundamental and applied sciences with an emphasis on the medical aspects of human biology and the development of technical applications for medical care. The research activities conducted are multidisciplinary in nature, bringing together technology, biology and bioinformatics. The teachers are internationally recognised researchers, and many are world-leading and conduct collaborative projects with leading international scientists as well as companies within the private biotechnology sector.

KTH's virtual campus tour

Vijay is a student at the School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health (at KTH). In the virtual tour he and some other students will show you around KTH.

Next step

Explore KTH

Visit our campuses through an immersive digital tour where our students guide you through their favourit KTH spots.

Ikon med mobiltelefon och brev. Grafisk illustration.

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