Technical University of Denmark experts specialize in fermentation

DTU is offering specialization in precision fermentation through the Fermentation Based Biomanufacturing Initiative.

In two of DTU’s MSc programmes – Biotechnology and Chemical and Biochemical Engineering – students can choose the specialization that combines these two important academic fields in fermentation, says Friederike Buchholz, Joint Program Manager.

“Fermentation is an interdisciplinary field that requires knowledge of microorganisms and their behaviour as well as of process technology and chemical and biochemical process design. Traditionally, this requires two different specialization groups that must be able to understand each other, but – with the Fermentation Based Biomanufacturing Initiative – it’s possible to produce engineer profiles that have an understanding of both disciplines,” says Friederike Buchholz.

Fast track to a job
As part of their specialization, the MSc students do a 13-week internship with a company, and it has turned out that several of the students are subsequently employed at their place of internship as soon as they graduate from DTU.

“Engineers with a specialization in fermentation are in great demand. There is no doubt that the industry is hungry for them,” says Friederike Buchholz.

The Fermentation Based Biomanufacturing Initiative also includes PhD projects and continuing education in precision fermentation, and both these measures are successful. 30 PhD projects in fermentation are thus in progress, and employees in the industry have travelled to DTU from near and far to improve their knowledge of fermentation for the benefit of the company in which they are employed.