Molecular Biosciences and Productive Biosystems (MBioPro) Dresden University of Technology

White biotechnology – harnessing the physiological prowess of microorganisms (bacteria, archaea, fungi) for the production of chemicals, enzymes and energy – holds great potential for developing bioeconomy towards a sustainable future. It is an interdisciplinary effort that encompasses knowledge of and approaches from biochemistry, molecular genetics, microbial physiology, functional biodiversity, bioprocess engineering and synthetic biology.

The Master’s programme in Molecular Biosciences and Productive Biosystems (MBioPro) aims at providing a comprehensive and research-oriented knowledge base in molecular biology, applied microbial physiology, and product development. This two-year full-time international Master’s programme rests on three scientific pillars. “Functional Tools” will provide the students with theoretical and practical knowledge on modern methods of enzymology, genetic engineering, systems and synthetic biology, as well as bioinformatics and functional biodiversity. “Productive Pathways” teaches the fundamentals in microbial physiology, metabolism and bioenergetics that can be harnessed for applied purposes. Both pillars culminate in “Application Technologies”, where tools and pathways are fused into fields such as biocatalysis, biotransformation, metabolic engineering and environmental monitoring. As a result of this highly focused programme, MBioPro graduates are ideally prepared for solving future challenges in biotechnological research and development.

The courses of the MBioPro Master's programme are organised in a modular fashion throughout the first three semesters.

• The first semester represents a levelling and qualification phase to ensure that all students within the programme have the required knowledge base for the specialised courses of the following two semesters. It encompasses the following courses:
  • “Physiological Concepts of Microbial Cultivation”
  • “Microbial Expression Hosts and Protein Production”
  • “Microbial Ecology of Fungi and Protists”
• In the second and third semesters, topics within the three scientific pillars of this Master's programme are taught. The third semester also provides the possibility for studies abroad, research stays in the biotech industry or participation in the iGEM competition.
  • “Functional Tools” encompasses two modules: “From Genes to Enzymes” and “Systems Biology and Genomics”
  • “Productive Pathways”
  • “Application Technologies”
  • Moreover, an extended lab rotation in each semester provides hands-on experience in independent lab routine and will help choosing the research group for the Master's thesis project.
• In the fourth semester, MBioPro students work on the Master's thesis project.

IHI Zittau

Applicants are required to have the following:

1. A first university degree ("Diplom", Bachelor's degree, or equivalent) in natural science, typically in one of the following fields:

• Biology
• Biochemistry/Chemistry
• Biophysics
• Biotechnology
• Life Science

2. Proven fundamental knowledge in genetics, molecular biology and microbiology

3. A good command of English

Currently, students pay ~340 EUR per semester (i.e. for six months). This includes a ticket for public transport and regional trains in all of Germany ("Deutschlandticket"). Additionally, students can use a bike rental service all over the city for free for 30 min. The contribution also assures concessions in the university cafeterias and offers benefits (e.g. price reductions) for many cultural and leisure activities in Dresden.

Dresden offers high quality of living at very moderate costs. Currently, students should expect to pay around 850 EUR per month including rent, food, insurance and basic expenses. This figure is relatively low compared to other big German cities.

In order to top up their budget, some students may want to look for temporary work in Dresden. If so, different regulations apply for students from EU member states, countries of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, and students from outside the European Union and the EEA area. In addition, restrictions on the duration of employment may apply. Professors, lecturers and group leaders involved in the Master's programme may offer students the possibility of working as academic assistants. However, living expenses can be financed only partially through a job as an academic assistant.

Information on scholarships and funding for students is summarised on a dedicated web page of the TU Dresden.

TU Dresden offers plenty of counselling and training within its Career Service to help students with finding professional orientation. They offer workshops to equip students with professional skills and help optimise their CV.

Additionally, there are special workshops for international students to get to know the German and Saxon job market and network.

It is still relatively easy to find affordable accommodation in Dresden. Accommodation is available either via the "Studentenwerk Dresden" or on the private market. Rent for a single room in a student residence is approx. 250 EUR per month.
Private housing can be found online. We recommend that you move into a hall of residence at the beginning of your stay in Dresden. Subsequently, you can look for a place on the private market or in a shared apartment, which is known as a "Wohngemeinschaft" in German.