Master of Science in Engineering
| About the programme Language: English (See language requirements) | Place of study: Aarhus | Commencement: August / September and January / February |
Developing and optimising chemical and biotechnological processes plays a key role in modern society. It is predicted that the industry of the future will be characterised by production that is environmentally correct and energy-efficient.
During the first year of the degree programme, learning is mainly based on lectures and theoretical exercises. The second year mainly involves project work, whereby students work closely with companies. A student hungry for more has the possibility of continuing as a PhD student. Here, the student adds three extra years to their studies, working more independently on solving concrete problems. This can also take the form of an industrial PhD.
The theme of the degree programme is the development and optimisation of processes in the chemical and biotechnological industries and in the environmental sector. If you have an engineering background in chemistry and choose to pursue this specialisation at MSc level, you will be able to work with areas as diverse as food, polymer chemistry, membrane and separation technology.
If on the other hand your background is in biotechnology, you can pursue this specialisation to gain opportunities to work in areas such as developing enzymes and proteins for use in ‘green’ production, lipid technology, and medical biotechnology.
Teaching at Aarhus University is greatly influenced by the research conducted here, as the lecturers are active researchers. As an engineering student, you have excellent opportunities to work with researchers in the laboratory, or you can complete a project in collaboration with a private company.
At the Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering at Aarhus University, we create sustainable, technological solutions to some of the biggest challenges faced by businesses and society through research and development.
The following Bachelor's degrees qualify students for admission to the Master of science in Engineering degree programme in Biotechnology and Chemical Engineering if mathematical competences on a Bachelor level in extent and content equal to at least 20 ECTS in Calculus, Linear Algebra, Probability Theory and Statistics, equally distributed, can be documented.
In connection with possible admission, further requirements can be stipulated regarding the composition of the degree programme.
To qualify for admission to English language programmes you must document English language qualifications comparable to an "English B level" in the Danish upper secondary school (Danish upper secondary school level). See the general English language requirements.
From the summer admission 2025 the following will take effect. The Master’s degree programme only admits a limited number of students each year, meeting the admission requirements does not in itself guarantee admission to the programme.
Allocation of student places is based on an overall assessment, and availability of seats in the track of Biotechnology and track of Chemical Engineering. In evaluating qualified applicants, the admissions committee assess applicants on the basis of the following criteria:
Academic background
* Relevant courses include core courses within the subject areas of Mathematics, Chemistry, Technology-related courses, and (only for the track of Biotechnology) Biotechnology and Molecular Biology.
Please note that grades obtained after the time of application cannot be included in the assessment of grade level.
The admissions committee assesses each applicant on the basis of the information provided in diplomas, transcripts, and course descriptions.
The Master’s degree in chemistry and biotechnology counts as 120 ECTS credits and mainly consists of subjects within the chemical and technical fields of study. You specialise by participating in course activities and projects and by writing a thesis. You structure your own individual study programme with the help of a researcher by choosing courses from the course catalogue. Your programme is based on your academic qualifications and interests and the subjects you studied for your Bachelor’s degree. The plan must be approved by the Board of Studies before you can enrol for examinations. The teaching is divided into two semesters per year.
Sensors and Process Control - 10 ECTS
Transport Phenomena - 5 ECTS
Applied Innovation in Engineering 5 ECTS
Modern Chemical Process Technologies - 10 ECTS
Lipid Biotechnology - 5 ECTS
Protein and Carbohydrate Biotechnology - 10 ECTS
Applied Innovation in Engineering 5 ECTS
Microbial Biotechnology - 5 ECTS
Industrial Bioseparation Technology - 5 ECTS
Applied Lipid and Protein Biotechnology
Applied Lipid Biotechnology - 5 ECTS
Applied Protein Biotechnology - 10 ECTS
Biomacromolecules
Lipid Biotechnology - 5 ECTS
Protein and Carbohydrate Biotechnology - 10 ECTS
Biomaterial Engineering
Tissue Engineering - 5 ECTS
Biofabrication - 10 ECTS
Energy and Storage
Energy Conversion and Storage Technologies - 10 ECTS
Renewable Energy Technologies 5 ECT
Environmental Technology
Air Treatment Technologies - 5 ECTS
Water Treatment Technologies - 10 ECTS
Process Technology
Sensors and Process Control -10 ECTS
Transport Phenomena - 5 ECTS
Plastic Materials
Advanced Polymer and Nanomaterials - 10 ECTS
Plastic Engineering - 5 ECTS
Biorefining Technology
Experimental Biorefining - 5 ECTS
Integrated Biorefining Technologies - 10 ECTS
Chemical Processing
Platform molecules – Production and Processes - 10 ECTS
Catalysis and Materials Engineering - 5 ECTS
Medical Biotechnology
Immunological Biotechnology - 10 ECTS
Biomolecular Interactions - 5 ECTS
Industrial Biotechnology
Microbial Cell Factories - 5 ECTS
Biocatalyses and Enzymatic Processes - 10 ECTS
Computational Systems Biology
Systems Biochemistry 10 ECTS
Applied Systems Biochemistry 5 ECTS
For further information on the structure of the programme please see the academic regulations for master's degree programmes.
If you have the necessary skills and interest, you have the option of applying for admission to the PhD programme. In the PhD programme, you start working on a research project and are gradually trained through courses and personal guidance to become a researcher.
Aarhus University has many social spaces where you can meet other students outside lessons and this is an excellent basis for social activities. There is an engineering club for staff and students through which students can network with like-minded people. Like all departments, there is a popular Friday bar, and "De Studerendes Råd - RIA" organises celebrations and social events for all students.
Aarhus University campus is unique, with buildings closely grouped together and surrounded by nature. The campus is conveniently situated close to the city centre, and student accommodation is readily available as long as you apply on time. There are a range of activities, ranging from running to regatta on the lake, as well as guest lectures, film screenings, and university events taking place throughout the year. To ensure student well-being, counselling services are available for students, to offer support and guidance during their time at Aarhus.
As the second-largest city in Denmark, Aarhus is a young and dynamic place with plenty of opportunities. The 40,000 students at the university make up 17.5% of the city’s population, which leaves its mark on city life. An attractive feature of Aarhus is that there are beaches and woods a short bike-ride away, as well as cultural events taking place throughout the year, including the Aarhus Festival in September. The theatres in the city and the ARoS international art museum offer many events that enable you to experience the Danish culture.
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The chart shows the five most common types of work for graduates 1-2 years after finishing their degree. The data is derived from a survey made by Epinion for the Ministry of Higher Education and Science and Aarhus University in 2020.
With a Master’s degree in Biotechnology and Chemical Engineering, you have the following competencies:
As a graduate engineer in Chemistry and Biotechnology, you will be developing the processes of the future – processes that will ensure that chemical, biotechnological and environmental knowledge finds sustainable applications to benefit society as a whole.
The Aarhus University educates graduate engineers for the regional, national and international job markets. Graduates work in a wide range of fields and institutions.
The degree programme is monitored by a group consisting of members from chemical companies such as Aarhus Karlshamn, Cheminova, Dupont and Arla, all of which are interested in employing newly qualified graduate engineers in chemistry and biotechnology.
Here at AU we want to give you the best possible start on your chosen career path. Our specialised Career Services can help you take the first steps to finding your dream career – starting before you graduate. Visit the careers page to see the services we offer.
