- Degree
- Bachelor of Science (B. Sc.)
- Admission restriction
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No
- Contact
- Application period
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29 April – 31 July 2025
What you can expect from the Biotechnology degree programme
The Biotechnology degree programme is one of the Bioengineering degree programmes at Weihenstephan and combines natural sciences and engineering to create an application-oriented discipline. Biotechnology has set itself the task of applying science and technology to living organisms or parts of them. Its aim is to be inspired by nature and to utilise models of biological processes in a variety of ways. Biotechnologists research microorganisms, plants, animals and humans, but also the smallest parts such as individual cells or molecules.
Biotechnologists have been trained at our University of Applied Sciences for more than 30 years. Today, as in the past, the content is based on natural sciences and engineering subjects, but has continuously evolved due to the rapid progress of biotechnological techniques. Today, Biotechnology is a widely used cross-sectional technology (see Biotechnology). Among other things, it can be used to develop new drugs or diagnostic procedures, to produce important technical intermediates, biologically based energy sources or everyday products such as detergents in a more sustainable way.
New scientific findings mean that the areas of application for Biotechnology are constantly evolving. As a result, new, well-trained workers are always needed.
Experience University for a Day
Still not sure whether the degree programme is right for you? Why not visit us, listen to regular lectures and chat to our students!
What you will learn in the Biotechnology degree programme
Biotechnology is a highly interdisciplinary science. Specialised knowledge is important, but also an understanding of the ways of thinking and expressing oneself in the various sub-disciplines. This creates an important basis for good communication in a successful team.
On the programme you will learn
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scientific principles:
Building on scientific principles in mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology, biotechnological analysis and production processes are developed using interdisciplinary knowledge from microbiology, genetic engineering, cell culture, biochemistry, instrumental analysis and process engineering. -
Practical knowledge:
Students learn basic practical techniques in our teaching laboratories, work on real-life topics in companies or institutes for an entire (practical) semester and during the three-month Bachelor's thesis and have close contact with our teaching staff with practical experience throughout their studies.
Did you know? Biotechnology has actually been practised by humans for around 6,000 years. Without knowing the biological processes, the inhabitants of Mesopotamia were already using microorganisms to produce alcoholic beverages. Later, people used yeasts to make sourdough and lactic acid bacteria to preserve milk as cheese or yoghurt. Today, it is biotechnologists who produce medicines - e.g. insulin for people suffering from diabetes - and manufacture diagnostics or vaccines, e.g. against Covid19.
Programme structure: Your path to a Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology
The Biotechnology degree programme has a regular duration of seven semesters. It begins every year on 1 October and leads to the internationally recognised Bachelor of Science (B. Sc.) degree, as our focus is on natural sciences (40%) in addition to engineering (25%). In addition, there is 20% work experience (mainly through the practical semester), 10% maths and IT and 5% subject-related minor subjects.
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1st semester
Module
ECTS
Mathematics I 6 Physics I 5 Fundamentals of Chemistry 5 Basics of biochemistry 5
Molecular cell biology I 5 Fundamentals of computer science 4 -
2nd semester
Module
ECTS
Mathematics II 5 Physics II 6 Analytical Chemistry 5 Molecular Cell Biology II 5
Materials science 3 Technical Communication 2 Fundamentals of statistics 4 -
3rd semester
Module
ECTS
Practical course in physics 5 Physical Chemistry I 6 Biochemistry 5 General Microbiology 4
Transport phenomena 5 Measurement & control technology 5 -
4th semester
Module
ECTS
Physical Chemistry II 5 Practical course in microbiology 5 Cell Culture 6 Genetic Engineering 5
Process engineering 6 Practical course in measurement & control engineering 3 -
5th semester
Module
ECTS
Practical semester with practical courses 30 -
6th semester
Module
ECTS
Instrumental Bioanalytics 5 Technical Microbiology & Bioreaction Kinetics 5 Process Automation 6 Bioreactor technology 4
Practical course in downstream processing 2 Specialised elective module 1 3
Compulsory elective module languages 3 General science elective module 2 -
7th semester
Module
ECTS
Practical course in instrumental bioanalytics 4 Practical course Fermentation 5 Practical course Process Engineering & Bioreactor Technology 4 Specialised elective module 3
Bachelor thesis 14
Studying Biotechnology: these career prospects await you
The biotechnological production of pharmaceuticals, raw materials and food is a huge future market. However, biotechnologists are not only found in pure biotechnology companies or the pharmaceutical and chemical industries - there are also attractive fields of activity in the food industry or in Agriculture, environmental technology and waste management, for example.
Biotechnologists work everywhere: They conduct research, develop biotechnological products and their manufacturing processes and ensure their quality standards. Career prospects after studying Biotechnology:
- Large-scale industry, modern medium-sized companies, research institutions or in the public sector
- Production, quality assurance, research & development or sales
- Our alumni find their career start in the greater Munich area, in Germany, but also worldwide.
- The demand for highly qualified engineers with a scientific background is high, currently especially in the pharmaceutical sector & in pure biotech companies.
- If you have a degree in Biotechnology, you can often expect a significantly higher starting salary than students of other engineering sciences - as our experience shows.
- The Biotechnology Master's degree & many other Master's programmes are open afterwards, and around 15% even go on to do a doctorate.
Biotechnology Bachelor's programme: course with intensive practical work
In cooperation with our industry partners, we also offer the Biotechnology degree programme as a course with intensive practical work.
The course with intensive practical work corresponds to the regular degree programme in terms of content and time. Students begin the normal Biotechnology study programme.
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Organisation & schedule
In cooperation with a partner company, practical assignments take place during the lecture-free period and in the practical semester in accordance with the study profile, in which students take on their own company-specific projects. The Bachelor's thesis is also completed in the respective company. Students receive a monthly allowance for the duration of the study model with in-depth practical experience. The amount of the allowance is agreed with the student. The funding period is 3 years in total. An employment contract is often agreed following the degree programme.
There are basically two options for the course with intensive practical work in Biotechnology:
- Course with intensive practical work with our cooperation partners
- Course with intensive practical work at a company you have found yourself
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Application
Option 1
Study with intensive practical work with our cooperation partners: If you have enrolled at HSWT, you can choose a course with an exclusive practical part at one of our cooperation companies. You can find information on applications at the career advice centre of the Bioengineering (Sciences) department or at the Career Service of the University of Applied Sciences.
Option 2
Course with intensive practical work at a company you have found yourself that does not yet cooperate with HSWT: Do you already have a company of your choice where you would like to complete the practical part of your degree programme? You can realise this option both before and after your enrolment with us: Apply to a company of your choice. Prerequisite: It must be a Biotechnology company with training staff who have at least a Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology. If your application is successful, the company must sign a co-operation agreement with us. The participating company must be found by the end of the 2nd semester at the latest.
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Admission requirements
In addition to the admission requirements for the Bachelor's degree programme in Biotechnology, a training/study contract with a company to which you have applied is required for the course with intensive practical work.
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Co-operation partner
Our co-operation partners are
Sartorius Corporate Administration GmbH
Weender Landstraße 94-108, 37075 GöttingenContact:
Brigitte Wilhelm-Nienaber, brigitte.wilhelm-nienaber@sartorius.comAttention: Preliminary work placement is required! Please apply to Sartorius AG BEFORE you enrol with us! The first internship takes place in August BEFORE the start of your studies.
Eurofins Genomics Europe Shared Services GmbH
Anzinger Str. 7a, 85560 EbersbergContact person:
Mrs Birgit Schmilas, birgitschmilas@eurofins.com
Mrs Maria Honauer, mariahonauer@eurofins.com
Bergader Privatkäserei GmbH
Weixlerstraße 16 | 83329 Waging am SeeContact:
Elisabeth Völkl, elisabeth.voelkl@bergader.de -
Information & criteria for companies
You can find important information at the Dachverband University of Applied sciences Dual
Why you should study Biotechnology at Weihenstephan
Study the future
After graduating, you will have the best opportunities for the future: HSWT has been working in the field of Biotechnology for over 30 years and offers you excellent contacts to industry and research institutions. This will prepare you for this growing future market with international opportunities.
Excellently trained
The varied, interdisciplinary degree programme thrives on the experienced, committed teaching staff with many years of experience in industry. You will also benefit from the excellent facilities at the Weihenstephan campus: modern lecture theatres, experimental laboratories and high-performance IT.
Combining studies & career
Together with a partner company, you will complete your Biotechnology degree programme with intensive practical work. This allows you to apply the theory from the lecture theatre directly to company-specific projects - and get the most out of your studies.
