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Graz University of Technology
TU Graz/ Studying and Teaching/ Degree and Certificate Programmes/

Master's Degree Programme Biorefinery Engineering

Biogenic resources are a central component of a sustainable economic system in Europe. Biorefinery engineers develop, plan, and implement innovative, technical products and processes for using biogenic resources economically and in an ecologically sustainable manner.

You will acquire all the knowledge necessary for this from the very wide-ranging technical specialisations covered in the Master’s degree programme Biorefinery Engineering at the TU Graz: This expertise extends from process engineering to chemistry and biotechnology through to energy engineering and environmental engineering. The focus in all of this is on innovation, practical application, and students' international activities.

Content

  • You will acquire the engineering sciences knowledge and skills necessary for the construction and operation of technical systems for the use of biogenic resources.
  • You will learn how to develop and optimise process engineering methods.
  • You will be able to evaluate the technical, logistic and economic challenges resulting from the use of biogenic raw materials along the entire chain of valued creation.
  • You will learn how to understand deal with complex problems in scientific and industrial contexts, to formulate these and to develop and present the solutions for them.
  • You will assess regional, economic, social and ecological framework conditions in the context of the bioeconomy.
  • You will learn how to recognise trends in bio-based industry.
  • You will acquire the scientific and analytic methods needed to evaluate and characterise biogenic resources.
  • You will carry out independently high-quality and structured research work.
  • You will carry out research-led traineeships at the university or with industry partners.

You can find each of the individual courses offered in the curriculum.

International activities

Students have optimal opportunities to prepare themselves for activities in an international environment with the numerous provisions on offer:

  • Courses in cooperation with international academic and industrial partners
  • International practical internships
  • Participation at international winter and summer schools at home and abroad
  • Semesters abroad
Two laboratories express their delight about the research results. Photo source: Lunghammer - TU Graz
  • Duration of study: 4 semesters
  • ECTS credit points: 120
  • Academic degree: Diplom-Ingenieurin or Diplom-Ingenieur (Dipl.Ing. or DI), equivalent to the Master of Science (MSc)
  • Language of instruction: English
  • Admission requirements

Curriculum

Semester plan

Marlene Kienberger, Assistant Professor of Biorefinery Engineering at TU Graz. Photo source: Kienberger
Marlene Kienberger, Assistant Professor Biorefinery Engineering

The close link with practice and the orientation towards innovation of this degree programme enables students to carry out high-quality, structured research work and to develop innovative systems with a scientific basis to convert biogenic resources into energy and high-quality products economically and with great ecological responsibility as part of a modern bioeconomy.

Admission Requirements

According to the curriculum, graduates of the following bachelor’s programmes offered at TU Graz and University of Graz will be accepted without an admission procedure:

Graduates of all other degree programmes offered at the TU Graz or, in the case of a NAWI Graz programme, the University of Graz, also do not have to undergo the admission procedure. You can apply for admission at the Registration Office.


All other programme applicants must undergo the admission procedure.

Registration period for the academic year 2020/21: 15 October to 15 December 2019

More about the admission procedure

Regulations for the admission procedure

Admission Deadlines

Winter semester 2019/20:

8 July to 30 November 2019

Summer semester 2020:

7 January to 30 April 2020


Please note: You may need to complete an admission procedure before you can register for the programme.
 

Further informationen on admission

International degree programme applicants: admission and application deadlines

This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement N°656760.

Career Options

Biorefinery engineers are in great demand in Europe as interdisciplinary experts for biogenic problems along the entire bio-based industry value chain. The European Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET) roadmap points out the annual need for around 3000 technical Master’s studies graduates in this field.

Biorefinery Engineers

  • develop, plan and implement innovative, technical products and processes, for using biogenic resources in an economic and ecologically sustainable manner.
  • design process plants for the production of bio-based materials and operate them.
  • are experts in the implementation of a modern bioeconomy.
  • are able to recognise and categorise trends in the bio-based industry and to convert innovations into business models.
  • develop innovative systems for the bioeconomy on a scientific basis .
  • take on management tasks in an international and interdisciplinary environment.
  • work together with experts from other specialist disciplines, they are active along the biogenic resources value creation chain.
  • support the change to a sustainable energy and economic system in Europe.

Information and Advice for Prospective Students

Student Teams of TU Graz
Women in Science and Technology
(in German)