The Master's Degree Programme in Biotechnology (MBIOT)
General description
General background
The Master’s Degree Programme in Biotechnology (MBIOT) was initiated in 2005 at the University of Helsinki. MBIOT is organised by the the Faculty Agriculture and Forestry and Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences in close co-operation with the Institute of Biotechnology. At the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, the responsible departments for MBIOT education are the Department of Agricultural Sciences , the Department of Food and Environmental Sciences and the Department of Forest Sciences. At the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, the responsible department is the Department of Biosciences.
The MBIOT students will receive their M.Sc. diplomas either from the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry (Master of Science in Agriculture and Forestry or Master of Food Sciences), or from the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences (Master of Science).
Studies in MBIOT
From the autumn 2011 onwards, the MBIOT programme at the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry offers four specialist options:
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Animal Biotechnology
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Food Biotechnology
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Microbial and Environmental Biotechnology
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Plant and Forest Biotechnology
From the autumn 2011 onwards, the MBIOT programme at the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences offers one specialist option:
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Molecular Biotechnology
The studies in MBIOT include general studies (courses in economics and ethics), major subject studies (lectures, practical courses, advanced seminars, final examination) and free-choice studies. A central part of the major subject studies is the Master’s thesis, which alone is worth 40 credits.
Students selected for MBIOT may be obligated to complete their knowledge in biotechnology with supplementary (BSc level) studies (30 ECTS credits at the most at the Faculty of A&F or 60 ECTS credits at the most at the Faculty of B&E). Such students can finish their Master of Science degree in Biotechnology in 2-3 years.
As a potential MBIOT applicant, you can either apply to the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry or to the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences. At the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry you choose your specialist option during the first autumn term of your studies. Your studying is based on your personal study plan which gives you the opportunity to channel your studies according to your own interests.
Description of the specialist optionsin autumn 2011 onwards
Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry
MBIOT programme at the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry offers an opportunity to specialise in Animal Biotechnology, Food Biotechnology, Forest Biotechnology, Microbial&Environmental Biotechnology, or in Plant Biotechnology. Animal Biotechnology have applications in nutrition and the breeding of domestic animals. One target areas for Food Biotechnology is the development of functional foods. Plant and Forest Biotechnology, enabled by genome studies, provide new tools for plant and forest breeding and pathology, production of bioenergy from plant and forest material, and production of novel compounds in plants. Microbial and Environmental Biotechnology is applied in studies on soil and plant-associated bacteria and their functions. It also has applications in the production of a variety of microbes, their enzymes, and bioactive compounds.
Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences
MBIOT programme at the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences offers an opportunity to specialise in Molecular Biotechnology. Molecular Biotechnology studies can be divided into following subfields:
Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
Bioinformatics and Systems Biology are closely linked. Bioinformatics applies mathematical, statistical, and computing methods that aim to solve biological problems using DNA and amino acid sequences and related information. Systems biology is an approach to studying complex biological systems made possible through technological breakthroughs such as the human genome project. Unlike traditional biology, which examines single genes or proteins in isolation, systems biology simultaneously studies the complex interaction of many levels of biological information to understand how they work together.
Biotechnology of Natural Resources
Biotechnology of Natural Resources is a broad and diverse field, which offers an opportunity to specialise in microbial, environmental, plant and forest biotechnology. Microbial and environmental biotechnology is applied in studies on soil and plant-associated bacteria and their functions. It also has applications in the production of a variety of microbes, their enzymes, and bioactive compounds. Plant and forest biotechnology, enabled by genome studies, provide new tools for plant and forest breeding and pathology, production of bioenergy from plant and forest material, and production of novel compounds in plants.
Cellular Biotechnology, Developmental Biology and Structural Biology
Cellular biotechnology refers to the utilisation of microbial, animal, and plant cells. Developmental biology aims to clarify the molecular mechanisms of embryonic development. Structural biology solves the chemical function and three-dimensional mechanisms of macromolecules and macromolecular complexes. The Institute of Biotechnology is heavily involved in the curriculum for this subfield. Within the regions of its expertise, the Institute is responsible for providing all essential courses and training, as well as the supervision of M.Sc. theses according to a study plan approved by the faculties.
Health Biotechnology
Health biotechnology refers to human genome research and the development of new diagnostic methods and treatments for diseases. It also refers to molecular microbiology, which is applied in healthcare-related areas, for example in analysis of pathogenetic mechanisms and development of novel drugs, vaccines or diagnostic tools, and in analysis of structure and evolution bacteria-infecting viruses and their RNA polymerization.