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Master's Programme in Biotechnology
Curriculum 2026–2028
About the programme
A graduate is able to:
- Evaluate and explain the impact and potential of biotechnology for society and industry
- Explore the molecular bases of living systems and devise them in the context of biotechnology
- Apply experimental and computational methods to analyze problems in a systematic manner and ideate and implement biotechnology-based solutions that support sustainable development
- Devise genetic engineering strategies to modify proteins, metabolic pathways and cellular functions leading to improved performance or to novel or improved products
- Set up the bioreactor environment and verify its influence on cells, enzymes, or other biological systems and thereby the application outcome
- Differentiate the suitability of different raw materials and recommend the most suitable bioprocessing approach
- Apply mechanistic and data-driven approaches to model biological and biophysical phenomena
- Design, execute, and report on a scientific or research and development project to address academic, industrial, and societal problems
- Have capability and perseverance for acting in an environment of risks and uncertainty
- Engage in scientific discussions in fields of science, engineering and technology and communicate the findings in oral and written form
- Follow development of one’s field and acquire and process new scientific, technological, and societal information
- Act and communicate as an expert in multidisciplinary teams on multi-dimensional problems, and being able to reflect, present and justify decision making in such teams
Degree structure
Major studies 90 ECTS
Code: CHEM3092
Scope: 60 op
Programme director: Paula Jouhten
Pääaine suomeksi: Biotekniikka
Huvudämne på svenska: Bioteknik
| Code | Course name | ECTS | Period/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory courses |
|||
| CHEM-E3112 | Laboratory Course in Molecular Biotechnology | 5 | I-II English /1st |
| CHEM-E8120 | Cell Biology D | 5 | I English /1st |
| CHEM-E3190 | Metabolism D | 5 | I English /1st |
| CHEM-E3111 | Cell Engineering D | 5 | II English /1st |
| CHEM-E3115 | Industrial Biotechnology D | 5 | III English /1st |
| CHEM-E3121 | Microbial Physiology | 5 | II English /1st |
| Choose one of the following two courses | |||
| CHEM-E3122 | Laboratory Course in Advanced Molecular Biotechnology | 5 | IV–V English /1st |
| CHEM-E3116 | Laboratory Course in Industrial Biotechnology | 5 | IV English / 1st |
Choose 25 ECTS from the following coursesCourses are grouped under recommended paths (Molecular Biotechnology, Bioprocess Engineering, Computational Biotechnology), but you may mix them freely. |
|||
| Molecular Biotechnology | |||
| CHEM-E3150 | Biophysical Chemistry D | 5 | III English /1st |
| CHEM-E8125 | Synthetic Biology | 5 | IV-V English /1st |
| CHEM-E3117 | Enzyme Technology D | 5 | IV English /1st |
| Bioprocess engineering | |||
| CHEM-E3117 | Enzyme Technology D | 5 | IV English /1st |
| CHEM-E1180 | Plant Resources | 5 | I English /2nd |
| CHEM-E7121 | Separation Processes 1 D | 5 | I English /2nd |
| Computational biotechnology | |||
| CHEM-E8125 | Synthetic Biology | 5 | IV-V English /1st |
| CHEM-E4210 | Molecular Thermodynamics D | 5 | II English /1st |
| CS-E5875 | High-Throughput Bioinformatics D | 5 | III English /2nd |
| Other optional courses | |||
| CS-E5866 | Computational Genomics | 5 | II English /2nd |
| CHEM-E8100 | Organic Structural Analysis | 5 | I v/2nd |
| CHEM-E4170 | Advanced Organic Chemistry | 5 | II English /2nd |
| CHEM-E2165 | Computer Aided Visualization and Scientific Presentation | 5 | IV–V English /1st |
| CS-E5885 | Modeling Biological Networks D | 5 | III English /1st |
| CHEM-E7126 | Separation Processes 2 | 5 | III English /2nd |
| MS-C1620 | Statistical Inference | 5 | III English /1st |
| CHEM-E2100 | Polymer Synthesis | 5 | I English /2nd |
| AAE-E3100 | Energy Carriers D | 5 | I English /2nd |
| Code | Course name | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM.thes | Master's thesis | 30 |
Elective studies 30 ECTS
The degree contains 30 ECTS of elective studies. As elective studies, you are free to choose various kinds of courses. Some suggested options for elective studies are listed below.
- complete compulsory language studies (see below for details),
- select additional courses from the major,
- select individual courses from other programmes at Aalto University,
- select a minor, if it fits into your degree (see all Aalto minors). For non-Finnish students, the Language Centre minor Finnish as a second language is recommended, enabling them to achieve and demonstrate a wide range of Finnish language skills.
- select individual courses from other Finnish higher education institutions,
- participate in an international student exchange programme,
- take courses at a partner university through an international university network that Aalto is a member of, such as the Unite! Alliance. See International university networks for details,
- complete professional training in Finland or abroad; courses CHEM-E0130 Professional Training or CHEM-E0135 International Professional Training.
Elective studies must be bachelor or master’s level studies that fulfill the degree requirements and, in general, studies that are offered as degree studies at the university in question. Universities also offer courses that are targeted for a larger audience. The suitability of these studies is evaluated taking into consideration the learning outcomes of the degree that the courses are planned to be included in. All studies planned to be taken at another Finnish University or abroad should be approved in the personal study plan before taking the courses.
Elective studies may not overlap with student's other studies. For this reason, the programme may restrict the choices in elective studies.
Detailed information about the contents of courses can be found in . No login needed.
Compulsory language studies
According to , student shall demonstrate proficiency in Finnish and Swedish language that is required of central government staff in bilingual public organisations under subsection 1 of section 6 of the Act on the Knowledge of Languages Required of Personnel in Public Bodies (424/2003) and that is necessary for their own field; and proficiency in at least one foreign language that enables students to monitor progress in their own field and operate in an international setting.
Students with Bachelor's degree not from Finland
Students who have received their pre-university education in a language other than Finnish or Swedish, or received their education abroad, are required to complete only 3 ECTS in one foreign language, including both oral and written proficiency. Relevant courses (marked with ‘o’ and ‘w’) are offered by the Aalto University Language Center. Basic Finnish and Swedish courses also meet the language requirement.
Language studies are included in students’ elective studies and are agreed in the personal study plan (HOPS).
You can find more information about language courses and language requirements from the Language Centre. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;