MSc Medical Biotechnology
KTH Royal Institute of Technology
Key Information
Campus location
Stockholm, Sweden
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
2 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
SEK 342,000 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Aug 2024
* non-EU/EEA/Swiss is 342,000 SEK.
Introduction
The master's programme in Medical Biotechnology provides a solid foundation for the development of sustainable biotechnological solutions and their use in health care. Students acquire knowledge about state-of-the-art techniques, and experience in operating technological platforms and analysing big data in the context of human health. Graduates have the competence necessary to research and develop diagnostics, disease prevention tools and therapies.
Medical Biotechnology at KTH
This two-year master's programme comprises advanced courses that focus on tools used to analyse a variety of biological samples for life science research, as well as for health care applications within diagnostics and drug development. The student will be provided with in-depth knowledge about scientific methodologies used for comprehensive analyses of biological systems, and their applications for advanced health care or medical surveillance. The programme offers extensive biotechnology training to tackle global needs in the area of life sciences, thus enabling students to prepare for careers both in Sweden and internationally.
The programme offers two tracks: medical applications of biotechnology and omics, that are designed to provide specialisation within a specific field of biotechnology. The student shall complete all courses within the chosen track and can then tailor their education by adding courses from the other track, other courses in biotechnology or related subjects.
Courses comprise both theoretical knowledge and practical application of theory, from experimental design to bioinformatic and statistical analysis of raw data and interpretation of the results. The curriculum provides a cross-platform approach that enables students to acquire a unique and individualised expertise that appeals to a wide span of employers. The students train problem-solving skills, project management as well as professional communication. During the last semester of the programme, the students work with a master's degree project in a research setting at KTH, in industry or a university or research institute anywhere in the world and acquire specialisation within a relevant topic.
The programme curriculum is designed, taught and continuously updated by a team of internationally recognised researchers within the different subject areas, in collaboration with representatives from the private sector. The programme is given by the School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health in Stockholm with access to facilities, infrastructure and instrument park available at Solna Campus (Science for Life Laboratory) and KTH Campus in Stockholm (AlbaNova University Center).
Admissions
Curriculum
Year 1
The student should complete all courses within the chosen specialisation.
Students enrolled in Degree Programme in Engineering Chemistry or Chemical Engineering at KTH
The course BB1030 Microbiology is mandatory
The course BB1160 Eucaryotic Cell Biology is mandatory
Mandatory courses
- Biomolecular Structure and Function (BB2165) 7.5 credits
- Applied Gene Technology (BB2255) 7.5 credits
- Bioinformatics (CB2442) 7.5 credits
Year 2
There might be changes.
Mandatory courses
- Degree Project in Biotechnology, Second Cycle (BB200X) 30.0 credits
- Theory and Methodology of Science with Applications in biotechnology (CB1030) 3.5 credits
- Clinical applications of biotechnology (CB2020) 7.5 credits
- Industrial Management for Biotechnology (ME1040) 4.0 credits
Program Outcome
Sustainable development
Graduates from KTH have the knowledge and the necessary tools to improve society in a sustainable way, as sustainable development is an integral part of all programmes. The Medical Biotechnology field creates and maintains sustainable solutions to societal challenges regarding human health. Sustainability is a key aspect that features in all areas of Biotechnology, from the genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic characterisation of whole organisms, to the development of diagnostics and therapies. The three key sustainable development goals that are best aligned with the master's programme in Medical Biotechnology are:
- 3. Good Health and Well-Being
- 8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
- 9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
The master's programme in Medical Biotechnology focuses on cutting-edge technologies used to explore biomolecules in humans at a holistic level, as well as understanding how biological processes function and are altered in disease. The acquired knowledge is applied to the design of innovative diagnostic tools, drugs and therapies capable of curing diseases and improving human health. Besides knowledge about how health and life quality can be improved, the programme also focuses on how technology can be used and further developed to characterize the interplay between humans and microorganisms, and how such knowledge can be used to benefit the development of a sustainable society and preserve life.
Sustainable development
Graduates from KTH have the knowledge and the necessary tools to improve society in a sustainable way, as sustainable development is an integral part of all programmes. The Medical Biotechnology field creates and maintains sustainable solutions to societal challenges regarding human health. Sustainability is a key aspect that features in all areas of Biotechnology, from the genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic characterisation of whole organisms, to the development of diagnostics and therapies. The three key sustainable development goals that are best aligned with the master's programme in Medical Biotechnology are:
- 3. Good Health and Well-Being
- 8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
- 9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
The master's programme in Medical Biotechnology focuses on cutting-edge technologies used to explore biomolecules in humans at a holistic level, as well as understanding how biological processes function and are altered in disease. The acquired knowledge is applied to the design of innovative diagnostic tools, drugs and therapies capable of curing diseases and improving human health. Besides knowledge about how health and life quality can be improved, the programme also focuses on how technology can be used and further developed to characterize the interplay between humans and microorganisms, and how such knowledge can be used to benefit the development of a sustainable society and preserve life.
- Research Scientists
- Research Associate
- Project Manager
- Science Communicator
- Field Application Specialist
- Laboratory Manager
- QC Scientists
- Patent Analyst
- Sales Representative
Scholarships and Funding
KTH offers four different scholarship opportunities for master's studies. The KTH Scholarship covers the tuition fee of a one or two year master’s programme. The KTH One-Year Scholarship is aimed at current KTH master's programme students and covers the tuition fee of the second year of studies. The KTH Joint Programme Scholarship is aimed at students in certain joint programmes and covers the tuition fee for the study period spent at KTH. The KTH India Scholarship is aimed specifically at students from India.
- KTH Scholarship
- KTH One-Year Scholarship
- KTH Joint Programme Scholarship
- KTH India Scholarship
Swedish Institute
The Swedish Institute (SI) offers a number of scholarships for students from targeted countries coming to Sweden.
KTH associated scholarship organisations
KTH cooperates with the following organisations providing scholarship opportunities for prospective KTH students.
- COLFUTURO (Programa Crédito Beca) for students from Colombia
- LPDP (Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education) for students from Indonesia
- FUNED for students from Mexico
Scholarship portals
IEFA database
The IEFA database offer a comprehensive scholarships search, grant listing and international student loan programmes.
Studyportals
The Studyportals scholarship database lists over 1,000 scholarship and grants for students worldwide applying for studies in the EU.
Scholars4dev
Scholarships for Development is a database of scholarships open to students from developing countries.
WeMakeScholars
WeMakeScholars helps students from India secure education loans from banks and NBFCs. They also lists more than 26,000 international scholarships from different trusts, foundations and govt. bodies.
Deferment of student loans in the United States
KTH is an accredited institution at the US Department of Education and holds a Title IV 'Deferment Only' status (OPE ID 03274300). US students may defer payments on existing federal student loan accounts while enrolled in a master’s programme at KTH. The 'Deferment Only' status does not allow students to take out federal student loans for enrolment at KTH. However, the accreditation facilitates grant and loan opportunities for US students as many private student loan institutions in the US use this designation as a requirement to grant new loans. Students who wish to defer payments must contact their lending institution in the US.
Several scholarship options are available. Please check the institute website for more information.
Gallery
Career Opportunities
The combination of technology, biology and bioinformatics with an emphasis on applications in medicine, taught in the master's programme in Medical Biotechnology, provides an attractive profile for a professional career in the biotechnological and pharmaceutical industry or for further academic studies. These areas are expanding worldwide, which gives a graduate in Medical Biotechnology opportunities for a career in companies involved in the development of drugs, medical analyses and diagnostics, or further work with academic research, research policy, journalism, patent agencies, or as a consultant. Many of the graduates go on to doctoral studies.
After graduation
Research Scientists, Research Associates, Project Managers, Science Communicators, Field Application Specialists, Laboratory Managers, QC Scientists, Patent Analysts, and Sales Representatives.