A female student in a laboratory wearing a lab coat and gloves. She is smiling while using a pipette to transfer liquid into a small tube. In the background, laboratory equipment and boxes are visible.

Looking for an internationally respected master programme that will open up exciting career opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry and research? Potential employers hold our Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology programme in high regard thanks to its broad curriculum.

On the master programme, you enhance your methods-based and problem-solving competencies, putting you in a position to overcome the challenges associated with developing and producing innovative treatments for cancer, autoimmune conditions and neurodegenerative diseases. You use cutting-edge and interdisciplinary methods, such as culturing “mini tumours” to help predict the effects of cancer treatments.

Degree

Master of Science in Engineering


Organisational form

full-time / 4 semesters / 120 ECTS


Language

English


Study fee

363.36 EUR


Important dates

Date end
15.05.2025

15.04.2025
Info for non-EU nationals

Videos

The degree programme

International and interdisciplinary, with a strong strategic and practical focus: welcome to the International Business and Economic Diplomacy master degree programme!

DEVELOPING AN INTERDISCIPLINARY MINDSET

An interdisciplinary approach is the key to success in biotechnology. To this end, you build on your knowledge of natural sciences, medical and engineering aspects.

Developing high-level expertise in identifying, characterising and manufacturing biopharmaceuticals is an essential aspect of this master programme. Manufacturing biopharmaceuticals also requires extensive knowledge of the applicable legal framework and the quality assurance procedures which play a vital part in an interdisciplinary setting.
 


FOCUSING ON THE NEEDS OF THE INDUSTRY

A team of about 40 lecturers from research and industry teach basic and applied topics and how to take advanced therapies from research to application. Paired with plenty of lab work, this ensures that the programme has a strong practical focus and is aligned with the requirements of industry.

The curriculum also features current trends and the latest developments: for instance, you use cutting-edge technologies, such as shotgun proteomics, to carry out a computerised bioinformatic analysis of all of a cell’s proteins under normal and pathological conditions. The programme also offers complementary training in development, application and production methods for quality-assured tissue and organ replacements.


INTERNATIONAL BY HEART

Interested in joint classes with students from other universities? Within an ERASMUS Plus Project, a joint module covering the main aspects of drug development is being developed. For the project, our university is collaborating with the French Université Paris XII Val De Marne (UPEC) and Finnish Turku University of Applied Sciences (TUAS).

The programme covers the research focuses of each partner institution. The theory courses will be held as interactive courses in the virtual classroom in autumn, whereas the laboratory courses will take place on site at the partner institutions in spring.

Tip: A particularly attractive option is the dual degree we offer in conjunction with the Linköping University in Sweden. Besides obtaining a master of science at IMC Krems, you will also be accredited with completing the Experimental and Medical Biosciences programme at our partner institution.


EXCELLENT CAREER & PHD OPPORTUNITIES

When you graduate, you can choose from a wide range of career paths – the international nature of the programme opens up opportunities in the domestic and global biotechnology industry or in a variety of PhD programmes.


OVERVIEW OF ESTABLISHED PHD COOPERATIONS

The Transformation of Pre-Clinics into Clinics by Organoids (TOPICO) project is a novel PhD programme, which is embedded in the Malignant Disease programme of the Medical University of Vienna, but also synergistically extends important contents of the Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology master programme of IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems.

This creates a unique environment for PhD students to develop their individual PhD projects in a well-founded network of students and faculty, thereby promoting their later careers in international cancer research in industrial or academic settings.

A collaboration with the University for Continuing Education in Krems has been in place for several years in the PhD programme Regenerative Medicine. For graduates of the master programme Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, this is another opportunity to start a PhD in this innovative field.



After completing your degree, you will be able start building a career in the international biotechnology industry or on a doctoral programme.

Christoph Metzner

Studiengangsleitung


Curriculum

A formula for success: theoretical knowledge + practical experience

The programme is built on three pillars.

Semesters 1 & 2

Advanced courses

While the Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology bachelor programme has a strong focus on the natural sciences, the emphasis shifts to the methods-based and problem-solving skills required in the field in the master programme.

In the first two semesters, you’ll build on the knowledge you acquired in our bachelor degree or another related programme. Modules include Health, Disease and Therapeutical Strategies, Process Design, Bioprocess Technology and Analytical Methods in Life Sciences. You’ll also start preparing for your research semester in semester 1.

On top of this, the Institute of Biotechnology hosts its annual Life Science Meeting, which is designed to be a very broad-based scientific conference. There’s always an exciting international atmosphere at this event, where you’ll benefit from the insights of globally respected scientists from research and industry. The programme also features presentations by our students and graduates.

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Semesters 1–4

The electives

Right from the first semester, you have the opportunity to tailor your degree according to your specific interests. You select one of two electives: Bioprocess Engineering or Advanced Therapeutics Development.

Both of these will give you an overview of the current research landscape: you will learn about numerous research projects connected to your specialism and the Institute of Biotechnology’s research focuses.

This is a fantastic opportunity to become an expert in your chosen field: the elective you select will help give your professional profile a sharper focus. Ideally, in the next semester you will choose a research topic and internship placement linked to your specialism.

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Semesters 3 & 4

The research semester and master thesis

The research phase is a core element of the master programme. You can start the research work for the master thesis already after the 2nd semester as the lectures of the 3rd and 4th semesters are online lectures and with that spend up to one year at a respected biotechnology company or research facility in Austria or abroad. Examples include the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States or Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. The work will focus on a project that forms the basis for your master thesis.

After your research semesters, you only have to return to university to take your final master examination. So, if you’re offered a permanent job or a Ph.D. position by your internship provider, there’ll be nothing standing in your way.

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What can you expect from your studies?

The curriculum provides an overview. Click on the individual courses for further information.

CourseSWSECTS

Process Design

  
Equipment and Production Design23
Standardization12
   

Bioprocess Technology

  
Recombinant Protein Production - Laboratory44
Recombinant Protein Production - Theory23
   

Upstream and Downstream Processing

  
Downstream Processing12
Upstream Processing12
   

Elective 1: Bioprocess Engineering

  
Process Control and Process Online Monitoring23
   

Elective 2: Advanced Therapeutics Development

  
Drug Discovery Systems23
   

Biomedical Regulatiuons

  
Legislation for Drugs and Medical Devices23
   

Research Project in Industry and Master Thesis

  
Research Project - Preparation11
   

ERASMUS Project_Microcredential

  
Target Identification/H2L23
Lead Optimization23
Clinical Trials23
   

Health, Disease and Therapeutical Strategies

  
Immunology23
Developmental Biology11
Molecular Mechanisms of Ageing11
Hallmarks of Cancer11
   

Bioethics

  
Bioethics11
   


Because the greatest
intelligence is still in
our heads.



What specialisations are available in your course? You can choose between one of two electives.

1

Bioprocess Engineering

This elective prepares you for work in the development and manufacture of pharmaceutical products.

Today, these products are frequently produced using biopharmaceutical techniques, by means of fermentation in large bioreactors. This requires genetically modified microorganisms, which are cultured in very high cell densities to manufacture the desired product. Such products range from medicines to ingredients for nutritional supplements, as well as substances like bioethanol.

If you take this elective, you will gain detailed insights into bioprocess engineering, process automation, and especially fermentation. This expertise will give you the skills required to take on positions at all types of biotech company – large pharmaceutical businesses as well as small start-ups specialising in innovative products such as nutraceuticals. You’ll be able to contribute in a wide range of areas encompassing the development, testing and large-scale manufacturing of brand new substances.

In the bioprocess engineering lectures and practicals you’ll use cutting-edge analytical techniques, ranging from simple online methods – which you’ll also evaluate – through to liquid LC-MS for proteomics work.

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2

Advanced Therapeutics Development

This elective takes an in-depth look at research into active ingredients and their mechanisms. It lays the foundations for a PhD in a related area or a job in an R&D department in the biotech industry.

Medical biotechnology has seen some major breakthroughs in recent years, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (PD-1) for the treatment of advanced melanomas. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules are currently being tested for use in potential treatments for cancers and viral diseases, which are expected to come on to the market in the next few years.

High-throughput technologies in areas such as next-generation sequencing (NGS), mass spectrometry and imaging are becoming increasingly important in the development of new treatments. This means there is going to be an ever greater focus on linking together large data sets, and integrating the clinical results of treatment.

The Advanced Therapeutic Development elective module gives you a solid grounding in these areas. This is reinforced with a lab-based course linked to the elective, in which you reproduce the early stages of the drug development process. A journal club on topical biotechnology questions rounds out the programme.

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Career paths

Starting a career or enrolling for a master degree programme? There is a wide range of career paths available to you.

As a graduate of the Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology master programme you will be especially well placed to assume positions at pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies or medical research institutes.

You can also opt to take a PhD at a university in Austria or abroad. We have PhD cooperation agreements with Danube University Krems and the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna. These agreements ensure that admission to the PhD programmes at these institutions is a straightforward process.

Possible career fields after graduation


Videos

Our degree programme in focus: Videos that inspire.

Get to know our university from a fresh and personal perspective and learn more about our master degree programme in Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology.

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Info events

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Thursday 14.11.2024
Info Event Online

Ask a Student - Bachelor

18:00 - 19:00 Details of event
Thursday 14.11.2024
Info Event Online

Ask a Student - Master

19:00 - 20:00 Details of event
Thursday 05.12.2024
Highlight Info Event

IMC Info Day 2024

14:00 - 18:00 IMC Campus Krems | Wing G1 Details of event

Application and admission

Is our degree programme just what you’re looking for? Here are your next steps!

We’ve put together all the relevant information for you.

What are the admission requirements for master programmes?

To qualify for a master programme, you must have completed a bachelor degree – with a workload of at least 180 ECTS and lasting at least six semesters – in a related subject, or hold an equivalent degree from a recognised Austrian or foreign higher education institution.

If your undergraduate studies are not sufficiently relevant, for instance if you’ve completed a degree in an unrelated subject, your qualifications will be assessed after we have received your completed application.

Accepted previous academic qualifications

What language skills are required for this English language master degree programme?

Your English language skills will be assessed during your admission interview. No additional proof is required.

Important​​​​​​​

​​​​​​​Do you still need to complete your military or alternative service?  If you’re a male Austrian citizen, we strongly recommend completing your compulsory national service before beginning your studies. This will allow you to finish your degree with no interruptions and start your career without delay afterwards.

Everything revolves around the students on our master degree programmes. That’s why we’d like to get to know you personally.

As part of the online application you will have to write a statement of motivation. Predefined questions about your motivation can be found in the online application. In your answers, which have to be entered in the provided input fields of the online application, you deal with the questions and explain your motivation to study the selected master degree programme

Your statement of motivation and your CV (curriculum vitae) form the basis for your application interview. The admission interview is a one-to-one interview, usually with the degree programme director.

In addition to getting to know you personally, your motives for the master degree programme will be discussed, as well as your professional background and the skillset you have acquired so far. Special attention will be paid to your previous academic and professional experience, your methodological and language skills and your general suitability with regard to your intended master degree programme.

The application interview is held in the language of instruction of the degree programme and can take place online via Microsoft Teams or in presence. 

What are the dates for the interview?

There are usually a selection of dates to choose from, with quotas allocated for each date. You can select a date and time slot during the online registration process. We therefore recommend that you complete your application in good time so that you can benefit from the full selection of dates.

Once you have successfully completed your online application, it will be checked for completeness and accuracy. As soon as this process is finished, we will inform you via email and confirm your admission date.

Upcoming interview dates

There are no dates available at the moment.

Application deadline for EU nationals 15/05/2025
Application deadline for non-EU nationals 15/04/2025
No application possible.
Application for the next study year possible from 1 December.

More information

Any questions?
We are happy to help!

Contact our Prospective Student Advisory Service    Contact the programme director

Team

Dr. Christoph Metzner

Studiengangsleitung

Core competencies

Full profile

Prof.(FH) Dr. Barbara Entler
Professor (FH) Institute Biotechnology
Details of person
Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Franz Herzog
Endowed Professor / Head Mass Spectrometry / Institute Krems Bioanalytics
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Prof.(FH) Priv.-Doz. Mag. Dr. Harald Hundsberger
Head of Institute Biotechnology / Programme Director Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
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Prof.(FH) DI Bernhard Klausgraber
Professor (FH) Institute Biotechnology
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Prof.(FH) Dr. Christian Klein
Professor (FH) Institute Biotechnology
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Prof.(FH) Priv.Doz. Dr. Reinhard Klein
Professor (FH) Institute Biotechnology
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DI (FH) Anita Koppensteiner
Scientist Institute Applied Chemistry
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Prof.(FH) Mag. Dana Mezricky
Professor (FH) Institute Biotechnology
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Prof.(FH) DI Dominik Schild
Professor (FH) Institute Biotechnology
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Hon.-Prof.(FH) DI (FH) Rita Seeböck, PhD
Scientific Projekt Staff Institute Biotechnology
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Prof.(FH) Mag. Dr. Christoph Wiesner
Professor (FH) Institute Biotechnology
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Information & support

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