Specialization in Biotechnological Production of Pharmaceuticals is Launched

Biopharmaceuticals are medications based on proteins or nucleic acids. These are large and complex molecules that are produced primarily through biotechnological processes. They are used as therapeutic antibodies, for example, in the treatment of cancer or autoimmune diseases. Nucleic acids are also employed in the newly developed vaccines against Covid-19. Since the 1980s, when insulin—the first biopharmaceutical—hit the market, this field has gained enormous importance: today, about 50 percent of all medications are biopharmaceuticals, and among the so-called blockbusters—the most commercially successful drugs—their share is already between 80 and 90 percent.

A particular challenge with biopharmaceuticals is their mode of administration. The conventional intake in tablet form does not work for these drugs, partly because the body would destroy the active ingredients in the gastrointestinal tract. Instead, they are usually administered as injections or infusions. For some biopharmaceuticals, a particularly large amount of liquid is required to dissolve the active ingredient, which complicates administration.

Subject-specific Expertise Combined with IT Competence

Until now, pharmaceutical engineers primarily focused on acquiring and analyzing process and product data to optimize the formulation and production of active ingredients. However, as a result of digitalization, the field has undergone profound changes in recent years: production facilities are increasingly networked and automated, and manufacturing processes are optimized by algorithms to make production more flexible. In addition, new digital approaches are being developed to monitor supply chains and ensure the quality of pharmaceuticals. Personalized medicine with tailor-made tissues and organs, as well as the production of medical devices via 3D printing, are also gaining importance.

These developments necessitate an additional IT specialization among pharmaceutical engineers—a need that the BCI Department seeks to address with its new international Master’s program, “Biopharmaceutical Engineering.” For example, students will also work with “Digital Twins.” These are virtual replicas of physical objects that can, among other things, be used to remotely control a real twin in a laboratory. Professor Markus Nett, Vice Dean of Studies at the Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering, explains: “The graduates of our new English-language Master’s program will combine engineering and biotechnological expertise with comprehensive IT skills—this makes the degree program a unique offering in Germany.” Comparable programs currently exist only in the USA, the United Kingdom, and Ireland—where high tuition fees apply. This makes the new TU study program an especially attractive option for international students. “We offer all courses in the first semester in a hybrid format. This means that even international students who are not yet on-site in Dortmund due to visa issues can already begin their studies,” Professor Markus Nett adds.

In the first semester, the fundamentals are primarily taught to level the students’ knowledge base. In the second and third semesters, four compulsory modules provide subject-specific qualifications and competencies. The two modules unique to the new program, “Biopharmaceutical Engineering” and “Process Analytical Technology,” focus on the manufacture of biopharmaceuticals as well as the quality assurance techniques for these and other products in the pharmaceutical industry. The two compulsory modules “Conceptual Design” and “Group Project” are also part of other Master’s programs at BCI and cover the knowledge required for designing a production process and planning facilities. Additionally, students can acquire further qualifications aligned with their personal interests through two elective and various specialization modules. In the fourth semester, students complete their Master’s thesis.

Multifaceted Career Opportunities

Admission to the four-semester Master’s program will take place at the beginning of each winter semester. All students who have completed their Bachelor’s degree in bioengineering, chemical engineering, environmental technology, or a related discipline are eligible to apply. “Biopharmaceuticals are among the most important growth sectors in the pharmaceutical industry. With their unique profile—a combination of engineering skills, biotechnological knowledge, and IT expertise—our graduates have excellent career prospects,” says Prof. Markus Nett. In addition to opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry, there are diverse career options in the chemical, food, and cosmetics industries. Another career path is within governmental authorities responsible for the approval and monitoring of facilities and processes.

Students with a Bachelor’s degree from Germany can apply via the Campus Portal. International students with EU citizenship or those who obtained their Bachelor’s degree in an EU member state can submit their application to the International Office. Applications from students with non-EU citizenship and a Bachelor's degree from a non-EU country must be submitted via uni-assist, the processing and service center for international student applications. The application deadline is 15 July 2025.

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