Program Overview

Introduction to the Master's in Biotechnology

The Master's in Biotechnology is a multidisciplinary program designed for individuals seeking to develop solutions to complex real-world problems in established and emerging scientific areas. This program provides a dynamic environment with a strong research component, highlighting the relevance of scientific contributions to the development of new biotechnology products.

Education Objectives

The Master's in Biotechnology aims to:

• Develop a multidisciplinary curriculum
• Provide opportunities for developing technology transfer and soft skills required for business development and innovation based on science and technology
• Offer a dynamic environment with a strong research component

Why this Master's?

• Curriculum and versatility of the master's degree
• Optional courses allowing for more flexible training profiles oriented towards individual student interests (e.g., biopharmaceuticals, food industry, nanobiotechnology, marine biotechnology, or environmental biotechnology)
• 2 semesters for the preparation of the thesis dissertation
• Links with industry, collaboration, and promotion of dissertations in compelling environments

Career Opportunities

The Master's in Biotechnology opens excellent professional opportunities in:

• R&D
• Technology transfer
• Management and commercial services in various companies, research centers, and academic institutions related to bio (pharmaceuticals), agri-food industry, environment, biomedical applications, among others

General Characterization

• DGES code: 1017
• Cycle: Master (2nd Cycle)
• Degree: Mestre
• Access to other programs: Access to the 3rd cycle
• Coordinator: Ana Rita Cruz Duarte
• Opening date: September
• Vacancies: 25
• Fees:
  • Portuguese students: 1250 euros/year
  • Foreign students: 7000 euros/year
• Schedule: Daytime
• Teaching language: Available soon

Degree Pre-requisites

• Duration: 2 years
• Credits: 120 ECTS
• Scientific Area | Acronym | ECTS
  • Mandatory | Optional
  • Biotechnology | Bt | 72 | 0
  • Genetics | G | 6 | 0
  • Chemical Engineering | EQ | 6 | 0
  • Human and Social Sciences | CHS | 3 | 0
  • Biotechnology or Biology or Chemical Engineering or Microbiology or Materials Engineering or Industrial Engineering | Bt / B / EQ / Mb / EMt / EI | 0 | 24
  • Transferable Skills | CC | 3 | 0
  • Any Scientific Area | QAC | 0 | 6
• TOTAL: 90 | 30

Conditions of Admittance

1. Holders of a bachelors degree or legal equivalent in the areas of Exact Sciences, Natural Sciences, Engineering, or Technology.
2. Holders of an academic degree awarded by a foreign institution in one of the areas referred above, upon completion of a 1st cycle program organized according to the Bologna Process.
3. Holders of an academic degree awarded by a foreign institution in one of the areas referred above, which the Scientific Council of NOVA FCT accepts as meeting the requirements of a bachelors degree.
4. Holders of an academic, scientific, or professional curriculum that the Scientific Council of NOVA FCT deems appropriate for carrying out successfully the Masters Program in Biotechnology.

Ranking

• Degree grade
• Curriculum vitae
• Possible interview

Evaluation Rules

The evaluation of all UCs is continuous for all the components that integrate it and must be completed by the last day of the school term of the academic semester. The continuous evaluation of a UC must include a minimum of three elements in the set of evaluation components, on dates adequately spaced throughout the period of classes.

Structure

1.ｺ Semester

• Code | Name | ECTS
  • 12184 | Biochemical Engineering | 6.0
  • 10770 | Gene Regulation | 6.0
• 1.ｺ Semester - Op鈬o A
  • Code | Name | ECTS
    • 5340 | Biomaterials | 6.0
    • 5324 | Biosensors | 6.0
    • 10775 | Food Microbiology | 6.0
    • 10685 | Separation Processes for Biological Products | 6.0
    • 10658 | Molecular Toxicology | 6.0
• 1.ｺ Semester - Op鈬o B
  • Code | Name | ECTS
    • 5340 | Biomaterials | 6.0
    • 5324 | Biosensors | 6.0
    • 10775 | Food Microbiology | 6.0
    • 10685 | Separation Processes for Biological Products | 6.0
    • 10658 | Molecular Toxicology | 6.0
• 1.ｺ Semester - Unidade Curricular de Bloco Livre
  • Code | Name | ECTS
    • 11066 | Unrestricted Electives | 6.0

2.ｺ Semester

• Code | Name | ECTS
  • 10826 | Biocatalysis and Bioremediation | 6.0
  • 10827 | Synthetic and Systems Biology | 6.0
  • 10829 | Biotechnology and Entrepreneurship | 3.0
  • 10380 | Entrepreneurship | 3.0
• 2.ｺ Semester - Op鈬o C
  • Code | Name | ECTS
    • 11189 | Biopharmaceuticals | 3.0
    • 9192 | Bionanotechnology | 6.0
    • 12183 | Marine Biotechnology | 3.0
    • 12185 | Plant Biotechnology for Agriculture and Forestry | 3.0
    • 12422 | Microbial Fuel Cells | 3.0
    • 11188 | Molecular immunology | 3.0
    • 3705 | Quality Planning and Control | 6.0
• 2.ｺ Semester - Op鈬o D
  • Code | Name | ECTS
    • 11189 | Biopharmaceuticals | 3.0
    • 9192 | Bionanotechnology | 6.0
    • 12183 | Marine Biotechnology | 3.0
    • 12185 | Plant Biotechnology for Agriculture and Forestry | 3.0
    • 12422 | Microbial Fuel Cells | 3.0
    • 11188 | Molecular immunology | 3.0
    • 3705 | Quality Planning and Control | 6.0

2.ｺ Year

• Code | Name | ECTS
  • 8891 | Master Thesis in Biotechnology | 60.0

Unidade Curricular de Bloco Livre

The student must complete 6 ECTS from the courses that integrate the Bloco Livre FCT, approved annually by the Scientific Council of FCT NOVA, which includes units from all scientific areas of FCT NOVA.