Biomolecular Engineering (BME)
Master of Science (M.Sc.)

Biomolecular engineering transfers theoretical knowledge of chemical and biological processes at the molecular level into practice and creates a technological platform for the targeted design of biologically active molecules and synthesis processes.

The Master's programme Biomolecular Engineering (BME) is a joint programme of the Departments of Biology and Chemistry. The research-based curriculum provides advanced knowledge of chemical and biological processes at the molecular level with a focus on applied biotechnology, systems and structural biology. It offers the opportunity for individual specialisation in the current fields of molecular biosciences and biological chemistry. Students are enabled to develop innovative products and processes ranging from tailor-made enzymes to new biomolecule-based analytical methods or drugs.

Picture: Katrin Binner

One programme – two departments

The Master's degree programme is a joint offer of the Departments of Biology and Chemistry. You can find more information about the Department of Chemistry here.

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The Master's degree programme Biomolecular Engineering (BME) offers the opportunity for an individual selection of courses from current fields of molecular biosciences and biological chemistry. It offers in-depth training in the subjects of chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology and biology. The modular structure allows specialisation in many different areas.

The practical part of the courses in the Master's programme BME is provided by the major modules from the available elective courses in biology and chemistry. They are usually offered as 6-week block courses. In addition, the modules of the biological and chemical specialisation form the theoretical part of the Master's programme.

The three-month research internship and the six-month Master's thesis offer you the opportunity to gain practical experience in research or industry during your studies. Both can be completed in the research labs of the biology or chemistry departments or with industry partners.

In addition, you have the opportunity to enrol in the modules of the “Molecular Biotechnology” programme at the Johann Wolfgang von Goethe University in Frankfurt as part of your Master's programme. To make use of this offer, please contact the Deans for Student Affairs of the biology or chemistry departments.

The Master's programme can be started both in the winter semester and the summer semester. The application deadline for the winter semester is 15 July, the deadline for the summer semester is 15 January (cut-off deadlines).

The application for the Master's programme BME is only possible online via the central application portals TUCaN or movein of the TU Darmstadt. The application documents must be submitted to the central student service. Application documents will not be processed unless complete.

The following documents are required for the application:

  • curriculum vitae in table format
  • proof of a university degree (Bachelor's degree in biomolecular engineering, biology, chemistry or a related discipline)
  • letter of motivation

Detailed information on the entrance examination can be found in the Regulations for the Master's degree Programme in Biomolecular Engineering.

The entrance examination is carried out by a panel. It consists of lecturers of the M.Sc. Biomolecular Engineering programme. Members of the student representative committee of the departments of biology and chemistry assist the panel in an advisory capacity. The entrance examination includes two stages.

Stage 1:

The application documents submitted by the applicants will be reviewed and assessed independently by two members of the panel. A score of 0 to a maximum of 100 points will be awarded. Applicants with a minimum score of 80 points are immediately accepted as suitable.

In cases where individual subject-related prerequisites from the first degree programme are not fulfilled, applicants can be admitted on the condition that they take basic examinations in additional subjects for the Bachelor's degree programme in biology amounting to a maximum of 30 credits.

Stage 2:

Applicants who do not achieve a score of 80 points and do not fall below 40 points are invited for an entrance interview. The 20-minute interview is intended to assess whether the applicant can be expected to independently and responsibly achieve the academic and scientific goals of the degree programme. The interview is assessed by the members of the panel independently of each other with a score from 0 to a maximum of 100 points. Applicants who achieve at least 60 points with the arithmetic mean of the points from stage 1 and 2 are accepted as suitable.

Downloads (German documents only)

Modulhandbuch des Studiengangs BME M.Sc. (PDF file) (opens in new tab)

Ordnung des Studiengangs BME M.Sc. (PDF file) (opens in new tab)

Studienplanschema BME M.Sc. (PDF file) (opens in new tab)

These documents will help you plan your studies. Here you will find all information, module descriptions and examination regulations.

The overview “Studienplan” is a recommendation for the time schedule and the distribution of modules. For individual studies, there may be good reasons to deviate from this recommendation. In this case, the team at the Office for Student Affairs is there to assist you. Individual changes to the study plan can be discussed at an early stage in a personal meeting.