Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (Master)

Biotechnology is a key technology. The hitherto education in biotechnology at HAW Hamburg has experienced a quite heterogeneous positioning of our graduates on the employment market. Graduates can work both in the areas of production or development in industry or in research institutes.

Typical fields of activity can be grouped as follows:

• Development, testing, and characterization of biotechnological apparatus and equipment
• Development, production and packaging of immunological and biomolecular reagents and test kits
• Production of medicinal substances with bacteria, yeasts and mammalian cells in bioreactors
• Biomolecular and immunological diagnostic in the medicinal and pharmaceutical sector
• Typical activities in production: raw materials production and processing, analysis, formulation of the final product, product safety, marketing authorization of drugs, filling and labelling, logistic, quality control and safety, qualification of process plants
• Project management of biotechnological plants or biological safety representative of bio- or gentechnological plants
• Biotechnological energy production: ethanol, methane and hydrogen from biomasses or energy plants
• Analytical and diagnostic services in the medicinal and pharmaceutical sector
• Engagement at regulatory authorities (i.e. environmental or health authority) and freelance activities (patents, consulting, corporate foundations)

Also ambiguous activities in the international business are accessible and chances for executive functions are disclosed. Graduates are qualified to join a doctorate program subsequently of this master program.

The master program Pharmaceutical Biotechnology is a consecutive, discovery-led course based on a bachelor degree in the field of biotechnology or closely related field. It is aimed at improving professional knowledge in the area of biotechnological processes in the pharmaceutical industry, taking into account a rapid developing industry. It also fosters the interdisciplinary competences of students in research and development.

Seven modules are offered in the first academic year, subdivided into lectures, seminars, practical courses and projects. Soft skills and key qualifications are acquired within the courses.
In the module "Biopharmaceutical Production" students will be enabled to understand about and how to conceive bioprocesses. Furthermore, they learn about the complexity of integrated bioprocesses and to develop new processes on their own initiative.
In the modules "Bioprocess Automation" and "Process Simulation" students will learn to monitor biotechnological processes by sophisticated online instrumentation. They will be introduced into the fundamentals of system theory, in order to analyze and to critically question existing biotechnological processes. Consequently, this will allow simulating biotechnological processes as well as process controlling strategies with the aid of computer programs.
In accordance to the common progression during developing new pharmaceutical ingredients, the modules "Pharmaceutical Technology", "Cell Culture Techniques" and "Bioanalytics" are enclosed. Students will learn about the common succession of target identification, production and administration of drugs. They will know about the relevance of pharmacological parameters and will get familiar with quality control and quality assurance of newly developed products. In praxis they can recommend suitable process conditions and can realise them in a team of students at their own responsibility. They can also identify developments and improvements in a self-contained manner.
Consolidation of various key competences is aimed at the module "Biotechnological Research" but also in all the different activities during the study program. Individual or a group of students will introduce lecture contributions based on new developments as well as research results from projects vis-à-vis a plenum where topics will be discussed. In the Research Seminar the character of an exploratory institution will be realised.

The study ends with the master thesis, where students prove their interdisciplinary competence in research and development. A period of 6 months is allowed for completion.

Foreign applicants are advised to clarify questions regarding study possibilities, admission requirements, the degree program and acceptance of foreign reports and certificates in due time before travelling to Germany, preferably one year in advance of the designated begin of studies.
They need a polytechnic degree or a study being equivalent to a German engineer, i.e. a strongly technically orientated study. A study of Natural Sciences, like sole Biology or Chemistry, is not equivalent.
Information can be found online: www.haw-hamburg.de/international and www.haw-hamburg.de/english .

Applications for all Master programs are made online. The online process is only activated during the application period. It is not possible to apply outside of the application periods. You can find more information under www.haw-hamburg.de/masterstudium or send an email to master-application@hv.haw-hamburg.de

1. First degree as Bachelor (in related disciplines) qualifying for a professional career or a comparable course of studies of at least three years or a Diplom of a university.
2. Knowledge of English language proven by accepted certificates, i. e. TOEFL-test (at least 550 points paper test or 220 points computer test or 83 points internet-based), IELTS (minimum Band 6) or comparable tests or certificates about good performance in foreign countries.
3. Knowledge of German: A2 / Goethe Certificate (for non-German)
4. For Non-Eu-applicants: Graduate Record Examination (GRE); further information at www.gre.org .
5. Curriculum vitae.
6. Statement of motivation.
7. Letter of recommendation from a university professor (optional)

Important note for applicants with 180 CPs (ECTS) for courses which require 210 CPs (ECTS) from the first degree: Applicants who possess 180 credit points (ECTS) from their bachelor degree must acquire a further 30 credit points. Applicants can find out from the department concerned which examinations and tuition must be completed. They will then be temporarily admitted and enrolled for one term in order to complete the missing 30 credit points. After the end of the first semester, the department will inform the student administration centre and the examination office which of the students who had been provisionally admitted gained the missing 30 credit points and which did not.

Lectures start as follows: Wintersemester 2013/14: September 16th 2013, Summersemester 2014: March 10th 2014 .

Further information is available on our homepage www.haw-hamburg.de/studieren

All students have to pay a semester contribution of 291,60 € .
This includes 65,- € for the service of the Students' Organisation Hamburg (Studentenwerk Hamburg),  18,50 € for the work done by the self-governing Student Administration (AStA), 3,- € for the Semsterticket-Härtefond and 155,10 € for the semester ticket allowing unlimited travel on Hamburg's public transport system. It also includes an administrative fee of 50,- €.

There are no tuition fees.

HAW Master Admissions Office
Stiftstrasse 69
20099 Hamburg (Campus Berliner Tor)
Tel.: + 49.40.25 41 47 40
master-application@haw-hamburg.de  
Office hours: Mon - Wed 11am - 1pm, Thur 2pm - 6pm
Telephone advisory service: Mon - Wed 10am - 11am, Thur 1pm - 2pm

Questions regarding course content only
Prof. Dr. Gesine Cornelissen
Lohbruegger Kirchstraße 65, Room BT 2
21033 Hamburg, Germany
Tel.: + 49.40.428 75 6295 (consulting hours only)
gesine.cornelissen@haw-hamburg.de

General Student Advisory Team
Stiftstraße 69
D-20099 Hamburg (Campus Berliner Tor)
Tel.: + 49.40.428 75-9110;
studienberatung@haw-hamburg.de
Office hours:see above

Fakultät Life Sciences

Department Biotechnologie

Lohbrügger Kirchstrasse 65, 21033 Hamburg