Biotechnology & Food Engineering | Bachelor


Apply now

 Application Deadline: March 31, 2024

FIBAA Logo
Short Facts
  • Time model & language: Full-time | German
  • Duration of study: 6 semesters | 180 ECTS
  • Study Co-Operations  with RAUCH Fruchtsäfte and Novartis/Sandoz
  • Prerequisites: University entrance qualification or relevant professional qualification with additional exams
  • Academic Degree: Bachelor of Science in Engineering | BSc or B.Sc.
  • Tuition fee: EUR 363,36 / semester plus membership fee for the Austrian Students’ Union (ÖH) for EU and EEA citizens

Before studying

Are you interested in natural sciences and technology? Would you like to contribute to humanity's sustainability goals and help in providing innovative medication, healthy foods or environmentally relevant technologies? If so, you can look forward to a degree program that offers you a wide range of opportunities in the development and manufacture of products for health, nutrition and environmental protection. The high level of interdisciplinarity and the great practical relevance will prepare you thoroughly for different tasks in companies or research institutions.

Overview

Arbeit mit Pipette und Petrischale in einem Labor.

The main target group are individuals interested in natural sciences and, above all, in transforming raw materials into food products or medication as well as making these products available to society.

Biotechnology and food technology are among the key industries of the 21st century. The major scientific and technical advances in these fields are crucial for the sustainable development of society, especially in the areas of health and nutrition. In biotechnology, new diagnostic and therapeutic methods are rapidly emerging, while advances in food technology, including processing technologies, new raw materials, and analytics, ensure the supply of high-quality food.

In addition, these technologies enable the development of environmentally compatible and efficient processes within the related fields of renewable raw materials, renewable energies and environmental technology. This opens up numerous exciting career prospects for graduates.

Contact
Prof. Dr. Christoph Griesbeck | Head of Department & Studies Bachelor's program Biotechnology & Food Engineering
Prof. Dr. Christoph Griesbeck Head of Department & Studies +43 512 2070 - 3800

If you have any questions about the study program, please contact us.

Beratungsgespräch am MCI.

Admission

Applications for admission are accepted on an ongoing basis via our online application platform. In the sense of your personal further planning, we recommend that you submit your application early.

Applicants are welcome to apply for multiple programs of study, as long as a plausible rationale is given.

  Application
deadline
Interview
     
Date 1 Nov 12, 2023 Nov 27 - 28, 2023
Date 2    Feb 4, 2024 Feb 19 - 21, 2024
Date 3 Mar 31, 2024 Apr 15 - 17, 2024
Date 4 May 26, 2024 Jun 10 - 12, 2024

 

Generally, admission to the program is available to the following persons:

  • Individuals with a university entrance qualification for a social, business or legal sciences study program (e.g. school-leaving exam, appropriate university entrance equivalency exam etc.)
  • Individuals without a university entrance qualification, but with relevant professional qualification, provided that one of the following requirements is fulfilled:
    • school-leaving certificate from a relevant vocational secondary school
    • completion of a dual education course with a relevant apprenticeship

Persons without a university entrance qualification but with relevant vocational qualifications must additionally sit entrance exams in German, English (Level I), Mathematics (Level II), Chemistry (Level II) and Physics (Level I). The level of the exams corresponds to that of a non-school university entrance qualification in natural sciences.

Persons in their last year at school wishing to apply for a place on the program before taking their final exams must include their most current school report with their application. Successful applicants must subsequently submit their school-leaving examination certificate before the start of the first semester.

In just two steps to your desired study program at MCI:

Step 1 – Online application: CV & motivation

A complete online application consists of a CV, a letter of motivation, information on educational background, qualifications, professional career, social achievements and academic as well as professional goals. We would like to know why you are applying to study at MCI.

You may apply for more than one degree program at the same time, provided you can conclusively explain your respective motivations in your letter of motivation.

Step 2 – Online admission interview

In the second step, all applicants will be invited to an online admission interview.

In this interview, we want to get to know you. We are particularly interested in your motivation to study at MCI as well as your professional and personal goals you want to achieve with the help of your studies.

Within three weeks after the admission interview, we will inform you about the admission decision.

Group of students in laboratory coats discussing something

While studying

Biotechnology and food technology are among the key industries of the 21st century. The major scientific and technical advances in these fields are crucial for the sustainable development of society, especially in the areas of health and nutrition. In biotechnology, new diagnostic and therapeutic methods are rapidly emerging, while advances in food technology, including processing technologies, new raw materials, and analytics, ensure the supply of high-quality food.

In addition, these technologies enable the development of environmentally compatible and efficient processes within the related fields of renewable raw materials, renewable energies and environmental technology. This opens up numerous exciting career prospects for graduates.

Facts

Time model & language
Full-time | German
Academic year
Winter semester: beginning of October - end of January
Summer semester: beginning of March - end of June
Structure
1st – 2nd semester: Fundamentals
from 2nd semester: Specialization
4th and 5th semester: Specialization in either the field of biotechnology or food technology
5th or 6th semester: International semester
5th or 6th semester: Internship
6th semester: Bachelor thesis and final exam
Tuition fees
For students from EU & EEA countries: EUR 363,36 / semester plus membership fee to the Austrian Student Union (ÖH). Details & information for students from third countries can be found at admission.

Module overview

Subject%
Fundamentals: Mathematics & natural science 28,89%
Fundamentals: Engineering 12,78%
Special subjects: Biotechnology & Food engineering 15,56%
Elective subjects: Biotechnology & Food engineering 15%
Academic work / R&D / internship 16,67%
Business & Management / english & key competences 11,11%

Full-time

The Bachelor program Biotechnology & Food Technology is a full-time degree program. In full-time studies, lectures and seminars are held on weekdays, with blocked units allowing for an intensive immersion into individual topics.
The classes usually take place from Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 12:15 and / or from 13:00 to 16:15. In exceptional cases, the times may vary and the lessons and / or examinations may take place outside the specified times or possibly on Saturdays.

RAUCH Fruchtsäfte:

The cooperation offers MCI students the opportunity to apply for integrative study cooperation positions at RAUCH Fruchtsäfte. The selected students will complete their professional internship at RAUCH Fruchtsäfte during the lecture-free period between the 4th and 5th semesters and then write their Bachelor's thesis there in the 6th semester. In addition to the content-related dimension of the support, the students receive a monthly payment from the end of the 4th semester until the end of their bachelor's degree. Interested students will receive further information on the cooperation and the application process during their studies.

Novartis/Sandoz:

The cooperation agreement with Novartis/Sandoz offers students of the bachelor's degree program "Biotechnology & Food Engineering" the opportunity to apply for the attractive cooperation positions of the global corporation at the end of the third semester. There, the selected students do their professional internship during the lecture-free period between the fourth and fifth semesters and write their bachelor thesis in the sixth semester. Students receive a monthly salary from the end of the fourth semester until the end of their bachelor's degree.

Dr. Schär is a South Tyrolean family business founded in 1982. The Dr. Schär group specializes in the development, production and sales of innovative foods for special dietary needs. To promote talented students in the fields of food technology, Dr. Schär provides two MCI students per year with a EUR 500.— scholarship.

COURSE-SPECIFIC SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS

Our interdisciplinary electives provide you with the opportunity to tailor your academic journey to your own interests and goals.

Interdisciplinary electives are cross-curricular courses on current trends and developments.

They allow you to discuss topics from different perspectives and interact with students and faculty from other disciplines.

During your studies you have the unique chance to choose such a course from a wide range of topics within the following focus areas:

  • Entrepreneurship & Innovation
  • Sustainability
  • Digitalization
  • Globalization
  • Society

The electives offer the opportunity to deepen your own interests and broaden your horizons. Join us as we enter a world of learning, exploration, and growth! Read more.

Graduates of the program are conferred the academic title of Bachelor of Science in Engineering, in short BSc or B.Sc. This is attested by a leaving certificate, the Bachelor diploma, the international diploma supplement, and further documents where relevant. MCI Alumni are entitled to combine their academic degree with the brand “MCI” to provide trust and orientation in an increasingly intransparent international education market. Example: BSc (MCI). 
Source: GZ BMWF-52.330/0195-I/6/2013

Major in Biotechnology: Biotech, Biodata & Pharma

The biotechnology major with focus on pharmaceutical biotechnology and bioinformatics deals with the development, production and analysis of biopharmaceutical products, such as antibiotics, vaccines, enzymes or therapeutic antibodies, which make an essential contribution to health care. In addition, bioinformatics forms an integral part of this major, including analysis of genome sequences, AI-based structural predictions of proteins or the evaluation of data from high-throughput biomedical experiments.

Curriculum

  1 2 3 4 5 6
Mathematics I 3 | 4          
Mathematics II   3 | 4        
Physics & Biostatistics 4 | 6          
Biophysics & Thermodynamics    6 | 8        
General chemistry 4 | 5          
Anorganic & analytical chemistry 4 | 5          
Organic chemistry   4 | 6        
Fundamentals of biology / Introduction to bio- & food technology 4 | 6          
Microbiology & Molecular cell biology I   6 | 8        


Semester Credit Units| ECTS-Credits

  1 2 3 4 5 6
Fundamentals of process engineering I     4 | 5      
Chemical process engineering      3 | 4      
Thermodynamics & analytics      4 | 6       
Thermal process engineering       3 | 4    
Mechanical process engineering       3 | 4    


Semester Credit Units| ECTS-Credits

  1 2 3 4 5 6
Biochemistry     5 | 6       
Microbiology & Molecular cell biology II     4 | 5      
Biochemistry & Food chemistry       4 | 5     
Biological process engineering       3 | 4    
Fermenatation technology & process informatics 6 |         6 | 8   


Semester Credit Units| ECTS-Credits

   1 2 3 4 5 6
  Biotech, Biodata & Pharma            
  Molecular biology & bioinformatics        7 | 9    
  Pharma biotech          7 | 9  
  Biodata Science         5 | 5  
  Project Biotech, Biodata & Pharma         3 | 4   

 


Semester Credit Units| ECTS-Credits

  1 2 3 4 5 6
Bachelor thesis & Bachelor seminar            2 I 15
Internship               | 15


Semester Credit Units| ECTS-Credits

  1 2 3 4 5 6
General Management 4 I 4  4 I 4  8 I 4 4 | 4  4 I 4  


Semester Credit Units| ECTS-Credits

Courses

Major in Food Technology: Food Tech & Science

The food technology major focuses on the development, production and quality of food. Together with experts from the food industry, students explore commodity science, sensory analysis and hygiene, and gain essential skills to sustainably improve food production. Aspects of nutritional physiology complete this comprehensive overview of food technology, enabling students to contribute to society’s food security in the future.

Curriculum

  1 2 3 4 5 6
Mathematics I 3 | 4          
Mathematics II   3 | 4        
Physics & Biostatistics 4 | 6          
Biophysics & Thermodynamics    6 | 8        
General chemistry 4 | 5          
Anorganic & analytical chemistry 4 | 5          
Organic chemistry   4 | 6        
Fundamentals of biology / Introduction to bio- & food technology 4 | 6          
Microbiology & Molecular cell biology I   6 | 8        


Semester Credit Units| ECTS-Credits

  1 2 3 4 5 6
Fundamentals of process engineering I     4 | 5      
Chemical process engineering      3 | 4      
Thermodynamics & analytics      4 | 6       
Thermal process engineering       3 | 4    
Mechanical process engineering       3 | 4    


Semester Credit Units| ECTS-Credits

  1 2 3 4 5 6
Biochemistry     5 | 6       
Microbiology & Molecular cell biology II     4 | 5      
Biochemistry & Food chemistry       4 | 5     
Biological process engineering       3 | 4    
Fermenatation technology & process informatics 6 |         6 | 8   


Semester Credit Units| ECTS-Credits

   1 2 3 4 5 6
  Food Tech & Science            
  Food production & analytics        7 | 9    
  Merchandise knowledge & sensory systems           4 | 4  
  Quality assurance & hygiene         4 | 5  
  Beverage- & food technology         4 | 5  
  Project Food Tech & Science         3 | 4  

 


Semester Credit Units| ECTS-Credits

  1 2 3 4 5 6
Bachelor thesis & Bachelor seminar            2 I 15
Internship               | 15


Semester Credit Units| ECTS-Credits

  1 2 3 4 5 6
General Management 4 I 4  4 I 4  8 I 4 4 | 4  4 I 4  


Semester Credit Units| ECTS-Credits

Courses

Cooperation & Career Partners (Selection)

  • Adler Lacke
  • Dr. Schär
  • Handl Tyrol
  • Helmholtz-Zentrum München, Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt
  • Landwirtschaftliches Versuchszentrum Laimburg, Südtirol
  • Leukocare
  • Lonza
  • Novartis/Sandoz
  • Oroboros Instruments
  • Rauch Fruchtsäfte
  • Wacker Chemie

Internship

At MCI, each program of study requires students to complete an integrative internship of at least 13 weeks at a national or international company. Students receive support from the respective department in organizing this internship and are supervised in coordination with the company.

This picture shows three people wearing a laboratory coat and protective goggles. Together they look at an evaluation on the computer.

Our department and the MCI Career Center regularly provide up-to-date information about internship positions and the situation on the labor market in general.

As part of practice-oriented projects, students are provided with the opportunity to work with local and international businesses. This allows them to immediately apply their newly acquired knowledge in practice and in collaboration with the project team. Their theoretical knowledge is further deepened by a mandatory internship of several weeks duration.

Christoph Raggl, Graduate Bachelor Biotechnology, Stundent Master Biotechnology

Besides the transfer of technical and bioscientific knowledge, Biotechnology at the MCI offers the opportunity to gather valuable experiences abroad, to establish contact with interesting companies and to acquire the key competences needed to adapt in an increasingly complex working environment. Demanding courses, first-class lecturers and the development of effective solutions to complex problems are characteristics of this study program.

Christoph Raggl, Graduate Bachelor Biotechnology, Stundent Master Biotechnology

Julia Elisabeth Mayer, Graduate Bachelor Environmental, Process & Biotechnology and Master Biotechnology

The interdisciplinary orientation and the quality of the contents of my studies have prepared me perfectly for my career.

Julia Elisabeth Mayer, Graduate Bachelor Environmental, Process & Biotechnology and Master Biotechnology

Thomas Samitsch, Graduate Bachelor Biotechnology, Student Master Biotechnology, Labcorp Drug Development, Standort Los Angeles, Staff Scientist

What I appreciate most about MCI, is the combination of engineering, bioscience and general management and thus, the perfect educational background for working in a variety of industry sectors. In addition, MCI ensures that students acquire the ability of critical thinking and presentation skills. Supporting students in their endeavors is only one of many advantages.

Thomas Samitsch, Graduate Bachelor Biotechnology, Student Master Biotechnology, Labcorp Drug Development, Standort Los Angeles, Staff Scientist

Maximilian Götz, Graduate Bachelor Biotechnology, Stundent Master Biotechnology

The Bachelor’s degree programme Biotechnology at the Management Center Innsbruck defines itself through its exceedingly proficient and dedicated staff and lecturers. Another compelling factor of this degree, and certainly all of the MCI, is its internationality and its practical relevance. As for me, I was able to experience this for myself not only in my semester abroad, but also in numerous guest lectures, partnership programmes and international internships.

Maximilian Götz, Graduate Bachelor Biotechnology, Stundent Master Biotechnology

Johanna Framm, Graduate Bachelor Biotechnology, Stundent Master Biotechnology

"The combination of biological and technical subjects with hands-on practical classes in the lab made the program particularly valuable for me. The internship allowed me to directly implement everything I had learned."
"What made the program particularly valuable for me was the combination of biological, technical and economic subjects. Our internships and our work in the labs ensured that we gained hands-on experience."

Johanna Framm, Graduate Bachelor Biotechnology, Stundent Master Biotechnology

Dr. Georg Singewald, MBA; Head of Global Quality Control, Roche

Doing now what patients need next“: dazu brauchen wir bei Roche Talente, die gemeinsam mit uns innovative Technologien & Prozesse erarbeiten und implementieren. Studierende des Masterstudiengangs Biotechnologie helfen uns dabei bereits seit 2013, indem sie mit ihrer exzellenten Ausbildung und einer weltoffenen Haltung immer bereit sind, die richtigen Fragen zu stellen.

Dr. Georg Singewald, MBA; Head of Global Quality Control, Roche

Christian Rinderer, MSc; Applied Material & Method Research, Global Operations, Red Bull GmbH

The part-time format of the Master Degree program in Food Technology & Nutrition enables practical knowledge from professional life to be combined and consolidated with academic content. During the weekends, lecturers from the business world, external universities and MCI internal experts convey a diverse picture of the world of food in a concentrated manner. The personal contact between the lecturers and staff of the study program and the students is particularly appreciated, which despite the demanding months, ensures that the fun of learning is not lost.

Christian Rinderer, MSc; Applied Material & Method Research, Global Operations, Red Bull GmbH

Michael Durach; Head of Mustard & Delicatessen; Develey Senf & Feinkost GmbH

In the MCI we have found a university partner with a similar philosophy and understanding: Exciting and enriching for both sides is the practical exchange, whether through cooperation with students from the Food Technology & Nutrition program or through joint research projects or supervision of master's theses.

Michael Durach; Head of Mustard & Delicatessen; Develey Senf & Feinkost GmbH

Karl Christian Handl MBA; CEO Handl Tyrol GmbH

Handl Tyrol GmbH has once again been able to successfully implement projects in the field of innovation and development on several occasions with the "Food Technology & Nutrition course" at the MCI together with professors and students. Always an enriching and inspiring experience.

Karl Christian Handl MBA; CEO Handl Tyrol GmbH

Research & Development

At the Entrepreneurial School®, providing a consistent link between science and practice has top priority. Therefore, we provide our students plenty of opportunity to put their newly acquired knowledge to practice, even during their studies. The collaboration with companies and organizations of different sizes and sectors forms one of the cornerstones of the MCI concept. Such cooperative work does not only benefit our students, but also, ­to a large extent our partners.

Food Science & Biotechnology

Innovations from the fields of food technology, biotechnology, functional & convenience foods and bioengineering will have a decisive impact on future viability. The growing demand in this area offers the opportunity to expand research activities in a targeted manner. The central topic here is the solution of current questions that arise along the value chain, from the production of plant raw materials and algae to technological utilization and product characterization. Novel approaches from engineering and natural sciences are used.

After studying

Studying at MCI is an investment in a successful future. Through close cooperation with industry and the practical orientation of all courses, MCI graduates are in particularly high demand on the job market and have several job offers even before graduation.

Professional Opportunities

  • biomedical research and development
  • pharmaceutical industry and diagnostics
  • agriculture, food and animal feed industry
  • chemical industry
  • apparatus and plant engineering for biotechnological purposes
  • measuring, testing and analysis
  • environmental engineering
  • public infrastructure, associations and special interest groups
  • international cooperation and organizations
  • consulting, freelancing

MCI Alumni & Friends

MCI Alumni & Friends provides a dynamic service platform promoting contacts, image, professional careers, and personal development of MCI and its graduates. We are delighted with all the graduates who choose to stay in touch even long after completion of their studies, and allowing us to be a part of their various careers:

Success Stories

MCI Alumni & Friends provides a dynamic service platform promoting contacts, image, professional careers, and personal development of MCI and its graduates. We are delighted with all the graduates who choose to stay in touch even long after completion of their studies, and allowing us to be a part of their various careers:

Continue studying

The MCI offers a number of internationally oriented Master's courses. The master programs in Biotechnology and Food Technology & Nutrition are aimed directly at the graduates of this bachelor program. The completion of a master's degree qualifies for the relevant doctoral studies.

Questions & Answers

During the first three semesters, all students in the Bachelor’s in Biotechnology & Food Engineering program attend the same courses. In the fourth semester, you may choose courses from either one of the specializations worth three ECTS points; in the fifth semester, courses worth nine ECTS points are available for specialization. For each of these semesters you can independently choose which subject you would like to specialize in.

No. The first three semesters are designed to give students an idea of both fields of study. Only once the first three semesters have been completed will you be required to choose an area of specialization. Detailed information is provided at the beginning of your studies and in respective information sessions.

If you are unsure about the area you would like to specialize in, we are happy to advise you and allocate appropriate classes.

No. Unfortunately it is not possible to attend or combine classes from both areas of specialization, as some of them take place at the same time. However, the specializations in the fourth and fifth semesters can be chosen independently of each other, allowing an insight into both subject fields.

Yes. In the fifth semester, you will have the opportunity to study at one of our partner institutions. In the sixth semester, you may also choose to apply for an internship abroad to complete your Bachelor’s thesis at a foreign institution or firm. For those of you who do not wish to leave Innsbruck, we also provide the option of completing the fifth semester together with incoming students from our partner institutions at MCI. During this semester, all lectures will be held in English.

Students of this study program have the choice within their curriculum, but also as part of their extracurricular activities, to choose between modules, specializations, additional courses, electives, etc. Additionally, the semester abroad at one of our numerous partner universities, the internship, as well as projects and final papers, enable our students to make their study program a truly unique experience.    

Yes. The fifth semester is officially deemed an international semester. All courses attended during this semester are held in English. MCI also regularly invites international experts and guest lecturers to give talks and presentations in English.

Our students work in the laboratory as from the first semester. This is to allow you to immediately apply your newly acquired theoretical knowledge to practice.

Yes. Each year, only as many students as we can accommodate are admitted to MCI study programs. This is to ensure that all our students have their own laboratory place, and to avoid any delays in your studies due to a lack of study space.

The mandatory twelve-week internship is to be completed during semester breaks between the fourth and sixth semesters. It is also possible to split the internship time and visit several companies to get a taste of different professions. Should you have completed a relevant internship or gained professional experience already prior to the fourth semester, our department will consider the possibility of recognition for this.