Pharmaceutical Biotechnology

Our department can look back on broad-based experience in the field of bioprocess engineering, including a range of issues in upstream and downstream processing. The degree course in its current form has been running since 2009 and has attained a solid standing in the pharmaceutical industry throughout Germany. The course provides a well-balanced mix of theoretical and specialist modules and gives students the opportunity to complete their Master thesis in an industrial setting. Most of our graduates secure attractive employment in various locations throughout Germany and Europe soon after leaving us. Alternatively, some choose to enter into doctoral research in a related field.

This degree course is primarily aimed at biotechnology graduates wishing to specialise for careers in the pharmaceutical sector or a related industry. If you attained your first degree in a related subject, at a vocational institution or university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule or equivalent), you may be eligible, subject to the approval of your academic course advisor and the appropriate examinations committee, to follow a customised course programme comprising specific subjects and core competencies from the Master’s course and your own previous specialisation.

We regret that if your first degree is in biology, pharmacology, or pharmacy, or in a related subject, you do not qualify to enrol in this Master’s degree course as you will not have taken any prior engineering courses.

The language of instruction and assessment is English, but German is spoken in all laboratories and is the predominant language in use at HAW Hamburg. You will therefore need to provide proof of A2 German with your application.

The first year of the course comprises eight modules, subdivided into lectures, seminars, practical courses and projects, and teaching key skills and interpersonal competencies alongside the academic content.

The Biopharmaceutical Engineering module will enable you to understand and design bioprocesses and to recognise or assess complex sets of circumstances in integrated bioprocesses. The Bioprocess Automation and Process Simulation modules revolve around the automation-related and technological functions of a bioreactor. In these modules, students will learn how to identify model parameters, independently analyse bioprocesses and simulate process guidance strategies with the aid of computer programs.

The Pharmaceutical Technology, Purification Techniques, Cell Culture Systems and Bioanalytics modules follow the typical sequence of development of a new active ingredient in the pharmaceutical industry. In this way, you will learn to recognise the links between the identification, production and administration of active substances, come to understand the meaning of pharmacological parameters, and engage with quality control and quality assurance for developed products. Taking these skills into your future career, you will be able to formulate recommendations on an active ingredient’s use, work in a team to realise these recommendations, and analyse developments or propose improvements.

The Biopharmaceutical Research module, as well as various lectures, address students’ key skills, including individual or group discussion contributions, which you will be able to practise when reporting findings from research projects. Our research seminar aims to recreate the working atmosphere of an authentic research institution.

The course ends with your Master thesis, which enables you to showcase your interdisciplinary competencies in research and development. A period of six months is allowed for completion.