The programme is organised in accordance with Executive Order no. 338 of 6 May 2004 on bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes in universities. The programme is under the Natural Sciences Study Board.

 

Graduation in the programme confers the degree Master of Science in Biology – Biotechnology. In Danish: Cand.scient. (candidatus/candidata scientarium) i Biologi - Bioteknologi.

 

1. The programme’s objective and competence profile

1. 1 The programme’s objective

The objective of the programme is to offer students a coherent profession-oriented education within the field of biotechnology. On completion of the programme, students will be able to perform research at all levels and analyse and solve questions and problems within the broad field of biotechnology

 

The MSc programme is primarily within the field of natural sciences, but aspects of social sciences may also be relevant. The biotechnology programme is an international degree and will be conducted in English.

 

1.2 The programme’s general profile

The aim of the programme is to give students:

• a theoretical and method-oriented knowledge of biotechnology within the fields of domestic animals and livestock, plants, micro-organisms or biochemistry
• the knowledge to analyse complex biotechnology problems of importance for the biotechnological industry, governmental agencies or educational programmes
• the ability to communicate knowledge at all levels, and a broad knowledge of the interactions between biotechnology and industry, society and the environment. 

1.3 The programme’s employment prospects

Graduates will find job opportunities in such fields as the biotechnological industry, governmental agencies or educational establishments. A number of graduates are expected to continue their education in a PhD programme.

 

1.4 The programme’s competence profile

 

1.4.1 Competences within basic science

• The ability to comprehend and evaluate new technologies in relation to existing knowledge
• The ability to transfer principles and results from basic and applied sciences to the development of ideas
• The ability to evaluate methods for solving complex biotechnology problems.

1.4.2 Competences within applied science

• The ability to expand principles from basic science to organise experiments and solve problems
• The ability to analyse and comprehend existing knowledge and to transfer knowledge to develop hypotheses and evaluate their usefulness in the context of a given problem
• An understanding of all aspects of the biotechnology production chain
• Possibility of gaining competence to work experimentally with research animals and/or plants in biotechnology projects.  

1.4.3 Competences within ethics and values

• The ability to formulate ethical problems and clearly communicate possible solutions orally and in writing at the appropriate level for a given audience
• An awareness of different attitudes to biotechnology methods and the ability to discuss these in relation to society at large. 

 Chapter 2. Degree programme content

* Thematic Course, core courses and thesis must comprise at least 90 credits

 

2.1 Content

The programme has a total of 120 credits, equivalent to two full years of study. These study activities are compulsory:

    400015      Thematic Course: Biotechnology from Idea to Product - 15 credits

                    Thesis - 60 credits

The thesis must include experimental work.

 

A minimum of 15 credits must also be chosen from the core courses:

    240002      Animal Biotechnology - 15 credits

    240038      Plant Biotechnology - 15 credits

    240023      Microbial biotechnology - 15 credits

    230004      Biological chemistry - 15 credits

    240020      Heterologous Expression - 15 credits

    240029      Molecular Plant Breeding - 15 credits

    240019      Genome og Cell Biology - 7.5 credits

    240030      Nanobiotechnology - 7.5 credits

    230006      Enzymology and experimental biochemistry - 7.5 credits

    240001      Advanced Microbiology - 15 credits

    240028      Molecular Plant Biochemistry og Physiology - 7.5 credits

    240006      Bioinformatics 2 - 7.5 credits

    210007      Biolinux: Bioinformatics and Linux - 7.5 credits

    240049      Immunology - 15 point

    240050      Immunology - Theoretical - 7,5 point    

    240037      Basic Pharmacology and Toxicology - 7.5 credits

    230001      Analytical Chemistry - 7.5 credits

    280007      Bioprocessing Technologies - 7.5 credits

    400021      Certificerende kurser i Bioteknologi: Isotopteknik, Helsefysik og 

                     forsøgsdyrsvidenskab - 7,5 credits 

 

The thematic course, the thesis and the 15 point-core courses comprise the core subjects in the programme (90 credits); 30 credits may be freely chosen among other courses offered at KVL or other universities.

 

The programme may include trainee service and study trips.

 

Chapter 3. Admission requirements and enrolment

3.1 Admission requirements

Students holding a BSc in Biotechnology from KVL are admitted without further prerequisites. Students holding other BSc degrees in natural sciences are admitted on the basis of individual evaluation of the academic content of their BSc. Students must have a background within the three areas: biology, biochemistry/organic chemistry and biotechnology methods. Applicants must therefore have competences at bachelor level equivalent to:

• 15 credits within a biological system (plants, animals or microbiology)
• 15 credits within biochemistry/organic chemistry
• 7.5 credits within biotechnology methods

 

3.2 Enrolment

Enrolment in the degree programme is once a year with studies commencing on 1 September.