Biotechnology

Faculty of Biology

Level of studies: second-cycle studies

Type of studies: full-time

Duration: 2 years

Language of instruction: English

Professional title: master (magister)

Educational profile: general academic

Tuition fee: the semester tuition fee for the first year of studies is: PLN 3 000,00 (the fee can be paid in 4 installments of PLN 750,00 each).

About the programme

Programme description

Choosing the Biotechnology MSc will give you an insight into the biomedical aspects of molecular biology and biotechnology. The programme consists of advanced biotechnology subjects based on topics in biochemistry, microbiology, genetic engineering and cell and molecular biology. During your studies, the greatest emphasis will be placed on participating in scientific research and team and individual research work, but you will also have the opportunity to learn about the latest concepts and developments in medical biotechnology and acquire the necessary practical skills in biomedical techniques, molecular biology and project management.

Studying Biotechnology will enable you to undertake research internships in Polish and foreign research centres and gain practical experience in the use of commonly used and advanced scientific apparatus, become familiar with the requirements of the bioeconomy and biotechnology regulations, and benefit from modern educational methods such as problem-based learning, project-based learning, tutoring and mentoring. As a graduate, you will be well prepared to design and carry out research projects, and you will be familiar with legislation in the field of biotechnology. Your studies culminate in a master's degree in biotechnology.

Practical classes will also introduce you to topics in genetics, animal anatomy and physiology or bioinformatics, among others. This will help you develop comprehensive knowledge and skills that meet current industry and employer requirements. You will also be able to carry out independent research projects under the supervision of experienced researchers.

Your studies take place at our campus in Morasko, in very well-equipped laboratories, but you will also have the opportunity to gain valuable experience at other research centres in Poznan.

Example of courses

Animal models of human disease
Human molecular genetics
Molecular therapies
Methods of experimental work
Funding of research and traineeships
Methods in molecular diagnostics
Mechanisms, effects and drug interactions in humans
Commercialisation and patenting of research results
Tumours and their microenvironments - cellular and histopathological aspects
Nanobiotechnology in medicine

Graduate competencies

The Alumni has a broad theoretical and practical knowledge of biotechnological methods, which enables:

targeted modification of microorganisms, cells of higher organisms and whole organisms;
conduct biosynthesis and biotransformation processes;
isolate and purify bioproducts and determine their biological and physicochemical properties;
design macromolecules characterized by the desired activity and be able to develop conditions for biotechnological processes, conduct their optimization and control;
design and characterize proteins and peptides, use recombinant DNA techniques to construct genetically modified organisms;
search online databases related to bioinformatics and molecular biology.

Career prospects

Alumni are well prepared for work broad range of institutions:

at universities and scientific institutes,
to continue education within PhD programmes,
in biological and biotechnological laboratories (analytics, diagnostics),
in companies from biotechnology, pharmacy and chemistry fields,
knowledge from studies will help to start own biotechnology company.

Additional information

Faculty website of the programme

Admission to the programme - III nabór

Admission schedule

Enrollment start date:

2024-09-16

Enrollment end date:

2024-09-24

Enrollment fee payment deadline:

2024-09-24

Deadline for attaching documents obtained abroad:

2024-09-24

Photo upload date:

to 2024-09-24

Dates for document submission (in the form of scans):

from 2024-09-16
to 2024-09-26

Entrance exams dates:

from 2024-09-27
to 2024-09-27

Results announcement date:

2024-09-27

Maximum number of admitted candidates:

Admission procedure has ended.

Contact details for admission subcommittee

Phone number

+48 61 829 5848

Working hours

1000.am- 2.00pm

Admission to the programme - II nabór

Admission schedule

Enrollment start date:

2024-07-29

Enrollment end date:

2024-09-06

Enrollment fee payment deadline:

2024-09-06

Deadline for attaching documents obtained abroad:

2024-09-06

Photo upload date:

to 2024-09-06

Dates for document submission (in the form of scans):

from 2024-08-26
to 2024-09-10

Entrance exams dates:

from 2024-09-12
to 2024-09-13

Results announcement date:

2024-09-13

Maximum number of admitted candidates:

Admission procedure has ended.

Contact details for admission subcommittee

Phone number

+48 61 829 5848

Working hours

10.00am - 2.00pm

Ten nabór został już zakończony.

Admission to the programme - I nabór

Admission schedule

Enrollment start date:

2024-06-01

Enrollment end date:

2024-07-17

Enrollment fee payment deadline:

2024-07-17

Deadline for attaching documents obtained abroad:

2024-07-17

Photo upload date:

to 2024-07-17

Dates for document submission (in the form of scans):

from 2024-07-01
to 2024-07-19

Entrance exams dates:

from 2024-07-24
to 2024-07-26

Results announcement date:

2024-07-29

Maximum number of admitted candidates:

Admission procedure has ended.

Contact details for admission subcommittee

Phone number

+48 61 829 5848

Working hours

10.00-14.00 (working days)

Ten nabór został już zakończony.

Detailed admission rules

Formal requirements

All candidates are required to have proven knowledge of English at the B2 level.

Selection procedure

for graduates of first-, second- and long-cycle studies in any programme

Elements of selection procedure	Max points	Weight of element	Max result
1) interview	50	1	50
Maximum number of points to be scored during the selection procedure			50

Ad 1. Additional information:

An interview in English.

The interview will be focused on verification of the predispositions and motivation of candidates for development in the field of conducting research in molecular and medical biotechnology. The knowledge and competences necessary to undertake second-cycle studies in the following thematic areas will also be verified:

Chemical composition of cells: structure and functions of components
Cellular metabolism
Intracellular targeted transport
Reception and generation of information at cellular level
Genetic and epigenetic variability
Gene expression: stages and regulation
Structure of the genomes and methods of their studying and modification
Application of viruses and prokaryotic cells in biotechnology
Application of eukaryotic cells in biotechnology: stem cells, cell cultures, spheroids, organoids
„Omics” in biotechnology

Selection procedure steps

1. Creating an account

The candidate creates an individual account in the Online Admissions System by providing the necessary personal data. Subsequent admission-related operations can only be made after logging in to the created account. All steps taken by the candidate after logging into the system are saved and archived. The candidate is obliged to keep the password to access the account secret.

2. Enrolling in the programme

The candidate chooses a programme/major and type of studies. It is recommended that the candidate thoroughly read the admission requirements for a given programme as well as the admission schedule.

3. Paying the enrollment fee

The candidate pays an admission procedure fee in the selected programmes/majors. Failure to pay the fee for a given programme means the candidate is not included in the selection procedure in this programme. The enrollment fee is PLN 85.

4. Attachment of documents obtained abroad

The candidate with the documents obtained abroad attaches scans of these documents for the purpose of their verification.

5. Complement of information about the diploma

The candidate enters information about the diploma: final grade on the diploma, diploma issuance date and diploma number.

6. Uploading a photo

The candidate uploads a high-resolution photo which will be used when generating the personal questionnaire. The photo of the admitted candidate will also be used in the student identification card.

Notice: if you do not upload a photo, system will not be able to generating the questionnaire!

7. Lodgment of all required documents by electronic means

Upon enrolling into the programme and paying the enrollment fee, the candidate is obliged to lodge of all required documents scans by electronic means within the specified time limit.

8. Taking the entrance examination

The candidate will revceive a message via the Online Admissions System about the date, place and time of the entrance exam.

Failure to take the exam means the candidate is not admitted to the programme.

9. Final results of the selection procedure

The results of the selection procedure will be provided via the Online Admissions System. Upon logging into his/her account, the candidate will see information on admission or denial of admission.

List of documents

Set of documents

photo file which will be used when generating the personal questionnaire
a scan of university diploma
a document confirming knowledge of English at B2 level

English language command (B2 level)

Candidates applying for admission to studies in this field are required to attach a document confirming their knowledge of English at the B2 level. Accepted documents are:

International Baccalaureate Diploma,
European Baccalaureate Diploma,
a certificate or other document confirming knowledge of English at the B2 level following the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages skills,
a foreign document equivalent to a Polish upper secondary school leaving certificate, with English as the language of instruction,
a foreign document equivalent to a Polish high school diploma, with English as the language of instruction.

A candidate who does not have an appropriate document is obliged to take a English language proficiency test (online test).

Medical certificate

In the case of this programme the candidate must present a medical certificate on lack of health-related contraindications to study, certified by an occupational medicine physician.

The medical certificate is required only from candidates admitted to the programme and should be submitte in the dean’s office at the beginning of the academic year. Referral to the medical examination is sent via the AMU Department of Education upon the candidate’s admission to the programme.

Preparation of the documents

During the recruitment process, candidates do not submit any paper documents.

Each of the required documents should be scanned to a separate file in PDF format. A document (e.g. certificate or diploma) that has more than one page should be scanned into one multi-page PDF file.

Scanning documents can be carried out on its own with the use of a scanner or with the use of dedicated applications for devices with Android or iOS. The document scanning service is also available at most copy shops.

Attestation of documents

Document attestation is a process in which an employee of the University confirms the compliance of the attached scans of documents with their original (paper) version. Attestation of the document by AMU consists in submitting (for inspection) the original document at the Student Office at the Faculty at the beginning of the academic year.

Documents obtained abroad

Candidates with documents obtained abroad also provide:

a scan of a foreign document, which is legalized or accompanied by an apostille, entitling the candidate to take up higher education studies in the country where the document was issued
a scan of translation of the document into the language of the studies undertaken by the candidate, performed by a sworn translator entered into the list of sworn translators maintained by the Polish Minister of Justice, or certified by a Polish consul in the country where the document was issued
a certificate of recognition of a foreign certificate as equivalent to Polish Matura certificate issued by a competent Board of Education – if the foreign certificate is not recognized, by virtue of law or under international agreements, as a document entitling to commence higher education studies in Poland
a scan of a document confirming the entitlement to study tuition-free – in the case of the foreigners concerned