Courses / Department of Chemical Engineering

Master in Biotechnological Engineering

General Objectives of the Course

MEBT aims to provide advanced and versatile training in bioprocess engineering and industrial biotechnology to find new
biotechnological solutions, preferably in a sustainable and circular bioeconomic context, using technological, qualitative, regulatory
and digital tools, with an emphasis on teamwork and promoting bio-entrepreneurship and projects in collaboration with the
biotechnology industry (national or international) or with other R&D institutions. The future biotechnology engineer should be able to:
- Analyze and describe chemical and biotechnological phenomena/processes at different levels;
- Solve problems independently, including new situations;
- Design, simulate, implement, control and/or optimize bioprocesses;
- Apply the principles of biotechnology in the production of bioproducts, using raw materials from renewable sources and greener,
safe and sustainable processes.

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the Master in Biotechnological Engineering must be:
a) Holders of a Bachelor’s degree or legal equivalent in Biotechnological Engineering, Biological Engineering, Chemical Engineering,
Biochemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Industrial Chemistry, Chemical
Technology, with courses organized according to the Bologna principles;
b) Holders of a foreign higher academic degree, in the areas referred to in a) - 1st cycle of studies organized according to the
principles of the Bologna Process;
c) Holders of a higher academic degree obtained abroad that is recognized by the Scientific Council of FCTUC as meeting the
objectives of a bachelor degree in one of the referred areas;
d) In duly justified cases, the holders of an academic, scientific or professional curriculum relevant to the attendance of this study
cycle and, as such recognized by the FCTUC Scientific Council, according to criteria approved by the referred council.

Candidates should check the admission requirements available on this site, in addition to the information provided here.

Professional Goals

A graduated from the Master in Biotechnological Engineering of the University of Coimbra has a consolidated, multidisciplinary, and updated training, focused on innovation, sustainability and creativity in the face of new challenges, and mostly focused on the transition to a Bioeconomy, which allows him/her a performance and excellence in areas involving the design, development and operation of industrial bioprocesses, the development of new bioproducts (eg., biomolecules, biofuels and bio-based chemicals, biosolvents, biocatalysts, biopharmaceuticals, biomaterials, biosensors, medical devices) and biotechnology/biochemistry-based solutions for diverse applications, scientific research and development, leadership, consultancy, leadership and management, environmental management and quality control, commercialization and marketing, as well as a whole new range of requests in cutting-edge areas of industrial biotechnology, including bioinformatics, bioenergy, sustainable bioprocesses, clean and circular technologies, advanced biomaterials, and engineering and data science. Below, it is presented a summary of the most important employability sectors for the Biotechnological Engineer graduated from the University of Coimbra:
- Industrial Biotechnology: e.g. Green and Blue Biorefinery for the production of chemical compounds/bio-based products and fuels/energy, using biocatalysts (enzymes) and biotechnological processes (microorganisms or vegetal/animal cells); using biotechnological processes for the production of cellulose and paper, biopolymers, bioplastics, textiles.
- Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Biotechnology: production of biopharmaceuticals (e.g. proteins, vaccines, antibodies), biosensors and other products of pharmaceutical and/or cosmeceutical interest (e.g. natural pigments, natural hydrogels)
- Food, Nutraceutical and Agro-Food Biotechnology: e.g. new sources of proteins and other food ingredients, new foods and beverages, functional formulations, biopesticides and biofertilisers;
- Environmental Biotechnology: e.g. bio(technological) treatment of domestic/industrial effluents, soil bioremediation, sustainable bio(technological) recovery of wastes;
- Creation of Biotechnology companies (start-ups and spin-offs);
- Management of organizations/processes and implementation of quality systems in biotechnology industries;
- Public sector: central and regional administration;
- Innovation, research and development.

Mode of Study

Full- or part-time attendance, presence required in daytime schedule

Teaching / Evaluation language(s)

Portuguese and English

Examination Regulations, Assessment and Grading

Evaluation is a pedagogical activity that is inseparable from teaching. Its main objectives are to assess the skills and knowledge acquired by the students, their pro-activity and critical and synthesis spirit, the ability to articulate and solve problems as well as their mastery of written and oral communications. Students are admitted to evaluation of the courses in which they are enrolled and registered in the corresponding examinations when registration is required, according to the regulations of University of Coimbra. The evaluation elements may be as follows: written or oral exams, tests, problems solving, written or practical works as well as projects, carried out individually or in group, that may involve an oral presentation. The evaluation of the courses may include one or more of the elements indicated above and students must be informed about the weighting of each component in the final evaluation of the curricular unit, following the regulations of University of Coimbra. The classification of each student, for each course, is expressed as an integer value between 0 and 20 points and the students are considered approved when they obtain a final mark at least of 10 points. The approval in the Dissertation in Biotechnological Engineering includes a public defense of the developed work before a jury composed of specialists in the field in which it is framed, according to the Academic Regulation of the University of Coimbra (RAUC).

Learning Objectives and Intended Skills

Multidisciplinary competency to practice the profession in various aspects of industrial biotechnology, including: industrial production
of bioproducts; design, implementation, analysis and control of bioprocesses/bioproducts; replacement and adaptation of traditional
chemical processes with efficient, sustainable and environmentally friendly biotechnological processes; development/coordination of
R&D projects;
Specific skills: Apply advanced knowledge of molecular biotechnology, chemical and biochemical engineering, biocatalysis,
bioreactors, bioproduct separation and purification processes, bioinformatics, quality and regulation, bioprocess design,
complemented by sustainability, circular economy, and biosafety and bioethics.
General skills: critical analysis, synthesis, innovation, creativity, proactivity, teamwork, leadership, communication, autonomy,
adaptation to new situations, entrepreneurship and values such as honesty, ethics and deontology.

Course Coordinator(s)

Jorge Fernando Brandão Pereira
uc45573@uc.pt

ECTS Departmental Coordinator(s)

Ana Clotilde Amaral Loureiro da Fonseca
anafs@eq.uc.pt

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of prior learning is carried out in accordance with the Regulations of the University of Coimbra, Regulation No. 805-A/2020, DR, 2nd series, of September 24 (http://www.uc.pt/academicos/regulamentos/regulamentos), in the terms defined by the Decree-Law No. 74/2006, of March 24, in its actual wording

Qualification Requirements and Regulations

DL 74/2006, de 24 de março

Graduation Requirements

In order to obtain the Master’s degree in Biotechnological Engineering, the student has to complete a total of 120 ECTS, i.e. be approved in all mandatory curricular units of the study’s cycle and 24 ECTS of elective curricular units (with a specialization profile that can be adjusted according to the selection of Option 1, 2, 3 & 4 with 6 ECTS each) and successfully accomplish a public defense of a Master's Dissertation, equivalent to 30 ECTS, developed in an industrial (preferentially), academic environment or framed in a mobility program.

Access to Further Studies

Holders of the Master's degree in Biotechnological Engineering will be able to access 3rd cycle studies in the same area or in related areas leading to the Ph.D. Degree

Study Programme

Paths: Master in Biotechnological Engineering - Specialization in Bioprocesses and Biorefineries; Master in Biotechnological Engineering - Specialization in Biotechnology and Biomaterials

Academic year
2024-2025

Course Type
2nd Cycle Studies - Advanced Specialisation Master Programme

DGES Code: M095

Qualification Awarded: Mestre

Duration: 4 Semester(s)

ECTS Credits: 120.0

Category: Advanced specialization second cycle

Applications

Call for Applications

2nd Cycle Course

Calendar

1st Semester: Start date: 09-09-2024
End date: 14-12-2024
2nd Semester: Start date: 03-02-2025
End date: 22-05-2025

Accreditations

Agência de Avaliação e Acreditação do Ensino Superior: 2023-07-31 a 2029-07-30
Direcção Geral de Ensino Superior: Nº Registo: R/A-Cr 147/2023; 2023-11-06