Biotechnology and Chemical Engineering

Overview

Developing and optimising biotechnological and chemical processes plays a key role in modern society. Competitive industries will be environmentally sustainable, efficient in terms of resources and energy, and technologically advanced. We provide our students with the knowledge and tools to enter and develop the industry of the future. In the first year of the Biotechnology and Chemical Engineering programme, laboratory exercises, practical exercises, and excursions play a key role in many courses, in addition to lectures and theoretical exercises. The second year consists mainly of project work, which often involves students working closely with researchers and companies. Students with academic ambitions have the possibility of continuing with a PhD, which can also involve industrial collaboration.

Choosing your specialisation

The degree programme focuses on the development and optimisation of processes in biotechnological and chemical industries and the environmental sector. If you have an engineering background in biotechnology and choose to pursue this specialisation at MSc level, you will be able to work within diverse areas, such as developing enzymes and proteins for use in medical (red), environmental (green) and industrial (white) production, lipid technology, biomaterial engineering, bioprocess engineering, computational systems biology and medical biotechnology. On the other hand, if your background is in chemistry, you can pursue this specialisation in order to work in areas such as food, polymer chemistry, catalysis and materials engineering, process technology and membrane and separation technology. Whether your background is in biotechnology or chemistry, you will also be able to specialise in environmental or energy technology, leading to employment opportunities in areas such as waste water treatment, bio refinery, air cleaning, and biogas production.

Putting research into practice

Teaching at Aarhus University is greatly influenced by the research conducted here, as all 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 in the industry.

Student life

At Aarhus University you will be part of an extensive engineering environment with more than 3,000 engineering students, so you will have plenty of opportunities to get involved in both academic and social student associations with your fellow students!

Aarhus University's campus is unique in that its buildings are 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 available, ranging from running clubs to an annual 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 to offer students support and guidance during their time at Aarhus University.

Careers

As a graduate engineer in biotechnology and chemistry, you will be developing the processes of the future – processes that will ensure that biotechnological, chemical, and environmental knowledge finds sustainable applications that can benefit society as a whole.

The MSc programme is also monitored by representatives of biotechnological and chemical companies such as IFF, Arla, Aarhus Karlshamn (AAK), Aarhus Vand, BioMar, Eurofins, Lego, Palsgaard, Novo Nordisk, Novozymes, Lundbeck, and FMC, all of which are interested in employing newly qualified graduates in biotechnology and chemical engineering.