Pharmaceutical Bioprocess Engineering

The Bachelor's program in Pharmaceutical Bioprocess Engineering combines the natural sciences, engineering and economics and thus opens up a broad spectrum of roles. Knowledge from biology and biochemistry is increasingly being used for industrial production processes. Nature's capacity for synthesis is endless. Make use of this potential and develop innovative processes that are gentler on products and more environmentally friendly than chemical processes. In addition, many active substances of the human body, such as insulin, cannot be produced chemically, but only biotechnologically.

As a future expert, you will not only be distinguished by your knowledge in the fields of biotechnology, process engineering, and process automation but above all by your understanding of systems to meet the special requirements of drug production. So join us in the development of microorganisms that are used to produce biotechnological products, learn analytical methods for process monitoring and design concepts for new production plants.

Pharmaceutical bioprocess technology is a young, innovative key technology of the 21st century. Take advantage of the potential growth and the increasing economic importance of this industry for your future.

Research and develop new manufacturing processes, monitor the quality of medicines, plan production facilities, or be responsible for organizing the operating technology – your possible fields of activity are diverse. As a bioprocess technician, you will find jobs in these areas, particularly in the biotechnological, chemical, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, as well as in plant engineering.

Still not had enough of studying? The majority of students continue their studies after their Bachelor's program with a Master's program in Pharmaceutical Bioprocess Engineering.

At the beginning of the course of study, the focus is on the basics of natural sciences, covering the areas of biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics. Later on, biology and chemistry will educate you in the fields of microbiology and biochemistry. Physics and mathematics form the foundation for a specialization in the engineering sciences.

From the 3rd semester onwards, you will begin to specialize: In modules such as Pharmacology and Toxicology or Molecular Biotechnology you will learn about the mechanisms and effects of drugs. You will then link this knowledge with areas such as bioprocess engineering or packaging technology since you know that technical processes can also affect biological systems. To be able to adapt processes or plants accordingly, you will need expertise in the fields of technical mechanics, fluid mechanics, and apparatus engineering. The laboratory internships will allow you to investigate various questions for yourself.

In the elective area, you have the opportunity to build your profile according to your interests and to follow your talents.

At the end of your studies, you will immerse yourself in your first scientific work and write your Bachelor's thesis.

A further part of your studies is the 6 weeks of work experience, during which you can gain a first insight into the professional field of bioprocess technicians.

Interested? Just take a look at an exemplary curriculum!

The course focuses on pharmaceutical bioprocess technology on the one hand and engineering sciences on the other. Both areas are continuously enhanced and interlinked during the course – biotechnological matter is viewed in the context of real processes. After your studies, you will be able to design biotechnological plants, monitor production processes, ensure the quality of products, produce and analyze biotechnological products, and produce common pharmaceutical substances. Besides, you will be able to work safely and scientifically correctly in the laboratory, know pharmaceutical technologies, and be able to take measures for product safety.

Nobody will be able to mislead you at any level of pharmaceutical bioprocess technology after your studies.

All students have to pay a semester fee for the student union (Studierendenwerk).

++ NEW ++ International students from third countries, i.e. countries that do not belong to the European Economic Area, will be charged tuition fees as of winter semester 2024/25.
All information on fee levels, waivers and scholarship programs can be found on the website on tuition fees for international students.

During the application period you can easily apply for a place in the winter semester via the application portal TUMonline. You can upload your documents for the admission to the Pharmaceutical Bioprocess Engineering course directly on the portal.

Prerequisite for admission is the general qualification for university entrance or a comparable qualification. There are no other admission restrictions; the course of study is admission-free.

When you receive the admission, you will have to submit a few certified hard copies for enrollment.

A pre-study internship before the start of the course is not required for admission. For the successful completion of your studies, however, you must complete 6 weeks of internships.

• Curriculum
  The degree chart gives you an overview and recommendation, which modules you should take in which semester according to academic and examination regulations (FPSO).
   
• Timetable (TUM ID required for login):
  This timetable is intended to give you an overview of the planned compulsory and elective modules of a semester. It is for orientation purposes only and will not be updated during the semester! 
  
  Via TUMonline you can have a timetable created for each semester according to FSPO.
  
  You can also create your own individual timetable, which can contain not only the dates of the selected courses, but also your personal appointments.
  
  First steps with TUMonline

• General Academic and Examination Regulations at TUM (APSO)
• Academic and Examination Regulations (FPSO)

• Examination dates & registration via TUMonline
  In TUMonline you can register for the module examinations that accompany your studies. 

  Important: You can only take most of the exams if you have actively registered yourself via TUMonline within the registration period. The registration and deregistration period will be displayed at the exam date.
  Please note! In the basic and orientation exams (GOP) in the 1st and 2nd bachelor semester you will automatically be registered for all examinations during the respective semester, i.e. independent registration is not necessary in the 1st academic year.

• Further examination matters
  • Academic progress check
  • Examinations
  • Recognitions
  • Theses
• Board of Examination
  The board of examination is a committee consisting of university professors and lecturers of the degree program. The chairperson of the board of examination of your degree program is Prof. Dr.-Ing. Heiko Briesen. Applications to the board of examination are received by the secretary and submitted to the board of examination for decision. You can reach the secretary by sending an email to examination.co(at)ls.tum.de.