Mineral oil still constitutes the most important source of liquid fuels, but is also an important raw material for the production of plastics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, etc. During the coming decades we need to use alternative sustainable resources to compensate for the forthcoming depletion of mineral oil, but also to deal with greenhouse gases and the associated climate effects. By studying the Master's programme in Sustainable Biotechnology, you can assist in the transition from fossil fuels to sustainability.

Together with a number of other renewable resources, biomass will potentially constitute an important part of the future energy supply. Biomass will be the major substitute (and probably the only one) for oil as a feedstock for industrial processes. The conversion of biomass will take place in bio refineries corresponding to traditional oil-based refineries. These processes will be based on microorganisms (fungi and bacteria) and microbial produced enzymes.

Agricultural residues, algae, industrial wastes from food production, and other biomasses, which are converted into high value products such as biofuels, biological active compounds and biochemicals for the pharmaceutical and chemical industry, will replace mineral oil.

During the Master's programme in Sustainable Biotechnology at AAU CPH, you get insight into international research in sustainability, biofuels, and the use of biomass as raw material in bio refineries. You get to work with the newest technologies and scientific research within these rapidly expanding fields.

In your semester projects, you and your project group will work with relevant issues in relation to sustainable biotechnology and you are challenged to use all of your knowledge to come up with possible solutions. You are encouraged to occasionally collaborate with external organisations and businesses in your projects to get an idea of the work processes and current issues in the industry. This will prepare you better for your own work life after you graduate and it will provide you with the opportunity to build a professional network while you are still studying.

• See brochure about Sustainable Biotechnology (pdf)

This is a full-time study programme, which is characterised by problem based project work in groups. You will be working closely with other students most of the time, and you are required to be present at the university on a daily basis and spend a vast majority of your day there.

The Master’s programme entitles you to the designation Master of Science (MSc) in Engineering (Sustainable Biotechnology).

Graduates from the Master’s programme in Sustainable Biotechnology find employment in biotechnological and bioenergy companies, research institutions, engineering consultancies and public institutions. Your job tasks may include environmental analysis, planning new green initiatives, plans of action in relation to improving the environment, development of new green fuels, consulting, teaching or research

Rated for exellence

Aalborg University is rated for excellence in the QS-ranking system. Aalborg University has received five stars certifying the world-class position of the university based on cutting-edge facilities and internationally renowned research and teaching faculty.
Within Engineering and Technology, Aalborg University ranked as number 76 in 2015/2016.

Academic content

The Master's programme in Sustainable Biotechnology offers you the opportunity to focus on either molecular biological biotechnology or process oriented sustainable biotechnology, through the choice of project topics.

The programme consists of four semesters. The first semester establishes a common platform for the different qualifications and competencies that you and your fellow students have.

You learn through a combination of lectures, laboratory work and project work. On your first two semesters, you will spend half of your study time on courses and course work while the other half will be spent on a semester project with your project group. Each semester has an overall theme and within this theme, you conduct a semester project, where you investigate and attempt to solve a relevant issue within sustainable biotechnology. The project topics you choose can help you create the professional academic profile you want to build your future career on.

The study programmes at AAU are based on problem based learning and project work, which gives you a unique opportunity to acquire new knowledge and competences at a high academic level in an independent manner. You get to apply theory to practice in your semester projects, which will prepare you better for your future career.

• See the programme’s curriculum

Study abroad

During the third semester, you have different options to earn the required 30 ECTS:

• You can do an internship in Denmark or abroad, where you take part in the day-to-day operations in the business. During the internship, you will write a project about one or more of your tasks during the process
• You can study a semester at another educational institution abroad or in Denmark
• You can do a regular semester at AAU with courses and project work
• You can begin your Master’s thesis, so your work is spread out over both your 3rd and 4th semester

Aalborg University has collaboration agreements with universities around the world, and the programme’s research environment has a wide range of internship contacts.

Find out more about studying abroad and internships here.

Job and career

The Master's programme in Sustainable Biotechnology qualifies you for employment within a number of fields, where the transition to sustainable technologies and resources has been initiated or will be initiated. You will also be prepared to work within general biotechnological disciplines.

Graduates find employment in biotechnological and bioenergy companies, research institutions, engineering consultancies and public institutions.

Furthermore, it is anticipated that the biomass-based and biological sectors will expand significantly in the coming years, leading to new job opportunities.

During the study programme, you have worked with the PBL method, which has given you useful skills that make you an attractive candidate on the job market. You know how to approach a problem and solve it in collaboration with other people, which is often important to succeed in a job.

Your job tasks may include:

• Environmental analysis
• Planning new green initiatives
• Plans of action in relation to improving the environment
• Development of new green fuels
• Consulting
• Teaching
• Research
• Purification of molecules from dairy products
• Purification of enzymes from fermented fluids
• Upscaling microbial production processes
• Quality control of e.g. medicine or food

Get help at AAU to start your career in Denmark

AAU Career helps you on your way from student life to job life in Denmark by giving you the tools to examine your options and find out what to do.

While studying at AAU, you can participate in career and job-related events, find help on our website, and book a personal career counselling session to talk about e.g.:

• Finding your way in your career
• Danish working culture
• Application and CV the Danish way
• What you can offer an employer
• How to go about job search in Denmark – both student job, internship and full-time job

Read more about AAU Career here