- Degree
- Bachelor of Science (B. Sc.)
- Admission restriction
-
No
- Contact
- Application period
-
28 April 2026 – 15 July 2026
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. Digital methods and artificial intelligence are playing an increasingly important role in biotechnology, which is why digital tools and bioinformatics form an integral part of the curriculum. In addition, during the 6th and 7th semesters, students have the option to choose from a range of elective and specialisation modules in the fields of molecular biotechnology, industrial biotechnology and digital biotechnology.
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 Biotechnology up close - information events & taster programmes
Do you want to know what you can expect from a Biotechnology degree programme? Then come along to our information events or the taster programme! Get to know the campus, talk to students and professors and experience everyday life on a degree programme at first hand.
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
- scientific principles:
Building on scientific principles in biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics and computer science, biotechnological analysis and production processes are developed by applying interdisciplinary knowledge from microbiology, genetic engineering, cell culture, biochemistry, instrumental analysis and process engineering, and by utilising digital tools. - 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. The programme combines scientific and engineering content with professional practice in the form of an internship semester. In the 6th and 7th semesters, there are opportunities to specialise in the fields of Molecular Biotechnology, Industrial Biotechnology and Digital Biotechnology as part of the compulsory elective modules.
-
1st semester
Module ECTS Mathematics I 5 Physics I 5 Basics of Chemistry 5 Basics of biochemistry 5 Basics of Biotechnology 5 Digital Fundamentals I 5 -
2nd semester
Module ECTS Mathematics II 5 Physics II 5 Analytical Chemistry 5 Molecular Cell Biology 5 Fundamentals of statistics 5 Digital Fundamentals II 5 -
3rd semester
Module ECTS Chemical Thermodynamics 6 General Microbiology 5 Biochemistry 5 Digital tools 4 Transport phenomena 5 Measurement and control technology 5 -
4th semester
Module ECTS Instrumental Bioanalytics 5 General Microbiology Practical 5 Introduction to Bioinformatics 5 Genetic engineering 5 Process engineering 5 Physical-technical practical course 5 -
5th semester
Module ECTS Practical semester with practical courses 30 -
6th semester
Module ECTS Biochemical Kinetics 6 Microbial Biotechnology & Bioprocess Engineering 6 Specialised elective modules 12 Compulsory elective module Languages 3 General science elective module 3 -
7th semester
Module ECTS Specialised elective modules 15 Bachelor thesis (Thesis) 12 Bachelor colloquium 3
Your career prospects after completing a bachelor's degree in Biotechnology
The biotechnological production of medicines, bio-based raw materials and innovative foods is growing rapidly – a future market in which you can use your expertise to work directly on solutions for health, sustainability and food security.
As a biotechnologist, however, you are not limited to traditional biotech or pharmaceutical companies: exciting opportunities also await you in the food and agriculture industry, environmental technology, waste and water management, and specialised analysis and research laboratories. You will develop new active ingredients and products, optimise manufacturing processes, implement biotechnological processes on a pilot or production scale, and ensure that quality and safety standards are met.
After completing your bachelor's degree, you will be qualified for the following fields of activity:
- Laboratory and research activities
You will plan, analyse and document molecular and microbiological investigations, work with modern laboratory procedures and support research projects at universities, institutes or companies. - Industrial biotechnology & production
In process development or production, you can be involved in the manufacture of biotechnological products such as enzymes, pharmaceutical active ingredients or bio-based materials. - Digital tools, bioinformatics & data analysis
You will work in biotechnology research, using digital tools to analyse or generate complex datasets, apply digital tools in the laboratory, development and production, and support their further development. - Quality assurance & analytics
You monitor production processes, carry out quality controls and work in accredited testing laboratories. - Environmental biotechnology & sustainability
You will be involved in solutions for resource conservation and the circular economy. - Food and Agricultural Biotechnology
You will support companies in the food and agricultural industry. - Regulatory Affairs & Documentation
You will work on the preparation of approval documents and monitor regulatory requirements in the pharmaceutical, medtech or environmental sectors. - Sales, consulting & technical services
You will mediate between laboratory practice, customers and manufacturers of biotechnological equipment or reagents.
Our graduates start their careers mainly in the Munich area – one of the most important life science and pharmaceutical locations in Europe – but also throughout Germany and worldwide. The demand for engineers with a background in natural sciences is high, especially in pharmaceutical companies and the biotech industry.
With a degree in Biotechnology, you have very good chances of finding a job quickly and often an above-average starting salary. Numerous master's programmes are open to you for your further career, including the Master's in Biotechnology / Bioengineering at HSWT.
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.
-
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
-
Application
Option 1
Study with intensive practical work with our cooperation partners: If you have enrolled at the 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 theCareer Serviceof 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.
-
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.
-
Co-operation partner
Our co-operation partners are
Sartorius Corporate Administration GmbH
Weender Landstraße 94-108, 37075 GöttingenAttention: 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 Ebersberg
Bergader Privatkäserei GmbH
Weixlerstraße 16 | 83329 Waging am SeeFor the contact details of our cooperation partners and information on which companies currently have vacancies, please get in touch with our contact person for the course with intensive practical work.
-
Information & criteria for companies
You can find important information at the Dachverband University of applied sciences Dual
-
Contact person for the course with intensive practical work
Tina Krüger
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.
