Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry
Study Guide 2011-2014, updated to academic year 2013-2014
Master’s Degree Programme in Biotechnology (MBIOT)
Master's Degree Programme in Biotechnology (MBIOT)
General information
The Master’s Degree Programme in Biotechnology (MBIOT) supplies the students with the expertise and skills they need for
modern biotechnology research and related employment. Topics in instruction range from the latest developments in recombinant
DNA technology to non-technical issues, such as business and bioethics.
MBIOT is organised by the Faculty Agriculture and Forestry and the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences in
close co-operation with the Institute of Biotechnology. The state-of the- art scientific research conducted at these units offer
exceptional opportunities to pursue studies in an inspiring research-oriented environment while benefiting from modern facilities.
At the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, the Department of Agricultural Sciences, the Department of Food and Environmental
Sciences and the Department of Forest Sciences are the responsible units for MBIOT education.
Studies in MBIOT
At the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, students in MBIOT will specialise in one of the four Biotechnology major subject
specialist options (responsible Departments in parentheses):
1) Animal Biotechnology (Dept. of Agricultural Sciences)
2) Food Biotechnology (Dept. of Food and Environmental Sciences)
3) Microbial and Environmental Biotechnology (Dept. of Food and Environmental Sciences)
4) Plant Biotechnology (Dept. of Agricultural Sciences) and Forest Biotechnology (Dept. of Forest Sciences)
MBIOT studies at the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry include advanced seminars and practical courses in biotechnology,
courses in economics and ethics, and a final examination. A central part of advanced studies is the Master’s thesis, which alone
is worth 40 credits. Students selected for MBIOT may be required to complete their education in biotechnology with some
supplementary studies. The estimated duration of studies is two to three years.
Admission to the Programme
Potential MBIOT candidates apply to either the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry or the Faculty of Biological and Environmental
Sciences. The application deadline is at the end of January annually.
Careers
Graduating with a Master's Degree from MBIOT offers many opportunities for a wide variety of careers both within and outside
research and science.
Job prospects for M.Sc. students graduating in the various fields of biotechnology are expected to be good. Academic research
communities at universities and research institutes will require versatile young PhD students and post-doctoral scientists to
conduct basic and applied research based on the newest methods in biotechnology and gene technology. Industry will require
modern biotechnologists for the manufacture of new biological products such as pharmaceuticals (e.g. therapeutic proteins) and
speciality chemicals in entirely new hosts. Food and beverage manufacturing is increasingly based on biotechnological methods,
and environmental awareness is expanding the role and importance of environmental biotechnologists.
Contact persons
MBIOT professors/persons at the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry:
Animal Biotechnology:
Elo, Kari, University lecturer (Animal Biotechnology), Dept. of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 28, Koetilantie 5, room 117, Tel. (09)
191 58544, email: kari.elo@helsinki.fi
Food Biotechnology:
Alatossava, Tapani, Prof. (Dairy Technology), Dept. of Food and Environmental Sciences , PO Box 66, Agnes Sjöbergin katu 2,
EE-building, room 3037, Tel. (09) 191 58312, email: tapani.alatossava@helsinki.fi
Forest Biotechnology
Asiegbu, Fred, Prof. (Forest Pathology), Dept. of Forest Sciences, PO Box 27, Latokartanonkaari 7, Forest Sciences building,
room 215, Tel. (09) 191 58109, email: fred.asiegbu@helsinki.fi
Microbial and Environmental Biotechnology:
Hatakka, Annele, Prof. (Environmental Biotechnology), Dept. of Food and Environmental Sciences, PO Box 56, Viikinkaari 9,
Biocenter 1, room 3006, Tel. (09) 191 59314, email: annele.hatakka@helsinki.fi
Plant Biotechnology:
Elomaa, Paula, Prof. (Horticulture), Dept. of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 27, Latokartanonkaari 7, Forest Sciences building,
room 117, Tel. (09) 191 58431, email: paula.elomaa@helsinki.fi
MBIOT student advisers at the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry (general questions):
Animal Biotechnology & Plant Biotechnology:
Niklander-Teeri, Viola, Docent, Coordinator , Dept. of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 27, Latokartanonkaari 5, C-building, room
131, Tel. (09) 191 58424, email: viola.niklander-teeri@helsinki.fi
Food Biotechnology & Microbial and Environmental Biotechnology
Naskali, Tiina, MSc, Coordinator , Dept. of Food and Environmental Sciences, PO Box 66, Agnes Sjöbergin katu 2, EE-building,
room 2022, Tel. (09) 191 58688, email: tiina.naskali@helsinki.fi
Forest Biotechnology
Orenius, Outi, MSc, Coordinator , Dept. of Forest Sciences, PO Box 27, Latokartanonkaari 7, Forest Sciences building, room
342, Tel. (09) 191 57976, email: outi.orenius@helsinki.fi
Further information:
http://www.helsinki.fi/biotech/
1(3)
Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry
Study Guide 2011-2014, updated to academic year 2013-2014
Master’s Degree Programme in Biotechnology (MBIOT)
2(3)
Degree Requirements 2011−2014
Master’s Degree Programme in Biotechnology (MBIOT) 120 credits
MASTER’S DEGREE, 120 credits
ECTS
credits
Timing
year/period
1
2
4
3
2
1/I
1/I
1-2/open
1/IV
2/II
1-2
1-2/open
10-20
3
1-2/open
2 /open
8-10
40
0
2/open
2/open
2/open
GENERAL STUDIES, 12 credits
BIOT410
993734
882588
993735
Personal Study Plan for the Master’s Degree
Academic Writing I
Business Economics
Bioethics and Legislation
Academic Writing II
MAJOR SUBJECT STUDIES, 87-105 credits
Obligatory major subject studies, 62-75 credits
BIOT422
BIOT550
BIOT560
BIOT570
80079
Working Life Orientation courses or
BIOT421 Practical Training in Master’s Degree, 2 cr
Advanced Training in a Research Group, 10 cr
or laboratory courses
Advanced Seminar

1 credit of ICT studies integrated
Final Examination in Master’s Degree
Master´s Thesis
Maturity Essay
Elective major subject studies according to the specialisation line, 25-30 credits:
Animal Biotechnology
(some of the courses have BSc level studies in animal genetics and molecular biology as prerequisites)
KEJAL410
Linear Models and Breeding Planning (lect. in Finnish)
10
BIOT400
Bioresource and Food Enzymology
4
KEJAL/KEBIOT440 Molecular Genetic Markers in Animal Breeding
5
KERAV/KEBIOT420 Feed Technology and Hygiene
5
KEJAL470
Genomic Selection
3
KEJAL/KEBIOT430 Genetic Resources and Animal Biotechnology (lect. in Finnish)
10
KEJAL420
Methods in Prediction of Breeding Values (lect. in Finnish)
5
KEJAL450
Estimation of Variance Components
5
Courses from the Dept. of Biosciences:
52751
Molecular Genetics, practical course
6
52912
Genomes
2
52939
From Genomes to Gene Function
6
52936
Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes
3
or other courses according to the study plan.
Food Biotechnology
(some of the courses have minor subject studies in Food Sciences as prerequisites)
ETT320
Industrial Food Process Design
EK223
Food Additivies
MIKRO233
Food Microbiology
ETT340
LAB starters
EK131
European Food Legislation and Control
BIOT400
Bioresource and Food Enzymology
ETT330
Fermentation Technology
ETT425
Potential Novel Processing Technologies
ETT415
Separation Methods
EK221
Vitamins and Other Bioactive Compounds
or other courses according to the study plan.
Microbial and Environmental Biotechnology
YKEM420
Biofuels
YBIOT565
Production of Recombinant Proteins laboratory course
MYKO540
Research Methods in Fungal Biotechnology
1-2/II-III
1-2/II (even years)
1-2/III (odd years)
1-2/III (even years)
1/IV
1/IV
1-2/IV (even years)
1-2/IV (odd years)
1-2/II (even years)
1/IV
1/IV
1-2/IV (odd years)
5
3
4
3
3
4
4
5
5
5
1-2/I-II
1-2/I-II (odd years)
1-2/I-IV
1-2/II
1-2/II
1-2/II (even years)
1-2/ II
1/ IV
1/IV
1-2/IV (even years)
5
5
5
1-2/I (odd years)
1-2/III
1-2/I / II (in 3rd years,
next time in autumn 2015)
BIOT400
Bioresource and Food Enzymology
MIKRO560
Microbial Genetics laboratory course
or other courses according to the study plan.
4
5
1-2/II (even years)
1/IV
Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry
Study Guide 2011-2014, updated to academic year 2013-2014
Master’s Degree Programme in Biotechnology (MBIOT)
3(3)
Plant and Forest Biotechnology
(some of the courses have BSc level studies in plant genetics and molecular biology as prerequisites)
KBIOT403
Molecular Methods in Applied Plant Genetics
5
MPAT132
Basic Biotechnology in Forestry
5
KTB403
Stress Physiology
5
MPAT221
Advanced Forest Mycology and Pathology
10
MPAT131
Forest Microbiology
10
KPAT404/MPAT205 Plant Virology
5
KPAT405/MPAT204 Plant Pathogenic Bacteria
5
KPAT501/MPAT222 Plant-Microbe Interaction and Molecular Defence of Plants
10
KBIOT300
Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Biology
5
KBIOT301
Laboratory Course in Plant Biotechnology
5
Courses from the Dept. of Biosciences:
52512
Advanced Course of Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology
7
52751
Molecular Genetics, practical course
6
529014
Epigenetics
3
52912
Genomes
2
52939
From Genomes to Gene Function
6
52936
Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes
3
or other courses according to the study plan.
1-2/I (even years)
1-2/I
1-2/II
1-2/II
1-2/II
1-2/II (even years)
1-2/II (odd years)
1/III
1/III
1/III-IV
1-2/I
1-2/II (even years)
1III
1/IV
1/IV
1-2/IV (odd years)
ELECTIVE (FREE-CHOICE) STUDIES, 3-21 credits
University courses freely chosen by a student (e.g. theoretical, methodological or multidisciplinary studies or a minor subject (25
credits) related to/supporting the specialist option). Courses from other faculties and universities can also be approved.
Courses taught in other languages than English may be included in the Master’s Degree Programme in Biotechnology (MBIOT) in
up to 25 % of the total credits (i.e. maximum of 30 credits)
Courses in the other Master’s Degree Programmes in Viikki
MENVI: http://www.helsinki.fi/menvi/
MScFB: http://www.helsinki.fi/mscfb/
MScFood: http://www.helsinki.fi/mscfood/
MScPPS: http://www.helsinki.fi/mscpps/
Courses in the Department of Biosciences
http://www.helsinki.fi/biosciences/studies/
97000 Orientation course for Foreign Students
http://www.helsinki.fi/orientation/
2
1/I
Working Life Orientation courses, e.g. Curriculum for Career Viikki
http://www.helsinki.fi/urapalvelut/english/students/courses.html
1
1-2/II
MASTER'S DEGREE TOTAL
120 credits
Study units 2013-2014
Teaching events in WebOodi
Personal Study Plan for the Master`s Degree (BIOT410), 1 cr
882581
Target group: Biotechnology degree students
Timing: Autumn term, period I
Preceding studies: Bachelor's degree or equivalent
Objective: To devise an individual plan for the Master’s degree studies to be completed and a timetable for their completion
Contents: Discussions and group work organised and supervised by the coordinator and the teachers of the specialist option,
after which students will independently write their plans and return them to the coordinators and the responsible professors of the
specialist options.
Study materials and literature: Biotechnology degree requirements, course descriptions, curriculum, other instructions
Completion: Participation in the introduction courses/meetings, discussions with the coordinators and teachers, independent
writing. MBIOT/Plant and Animal Biotech students complete this study unit by participating to the 812089 introduction course
together with the MScPPS students (3 ECTS credits, includes 1 cr of personal study plan). MBIOT/Food Biotech students
complete this study unit by participating to the 8720101 introduction course together with the MScFood students (2 ECTS credits,
includes 1 cr of personal study plan). MBIOT/Forest Biotech students complete this study unit by participating to the 837032
introduction course together with the MScFB students (3 ECTS credits, includes 1 cr of personal study plan). MBIOT/Microbial
and Environment Biotech students complete this study unit by participating to the 864992 introduction course together with the
MENVI students (3 ECTS credits, includes 1 cr of personal study plan). These introduction courses/meetings can be completed
either partially (relevant parts, 1 credit) or fully (the extra credits can be included in the elective studies).
Evaluation: Written plan for the completion of studies. Grading scale: Pass/fail
Responsible persons: Responsible professors, coordinators
Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry
Study Guide 2011-2014, updated to academic year 2013-2014
Master’s Degree Programme in Biotechnology (MBIOT)
882588 Bioethics and Legislation (BIOT430), 3 ECTS credits
Target group: MBIOT, HEBIOT, MScPPS, MScFood and MENVI Master's degree students. Exchange and visiting students
Timing: Spring term, period IV
Preceding studies: Bachelor's degree or equivalent in life sciences
Objective: The aim is to familiarise students with ELSA (Ethical, Legal and Social Aspects) of biological sciences.
Contents: The course is composed of lectures, documentary film sessions, a panel discussion and students' presentations. The
course is divided by a two weeks' period when students prepare case study presentations on ELSA of chosen topics in small
groups. The course will provide following themes: Introduction to ethical principles in science; Good scientific practices,
misconduct of research and plagiarism; Science information services, public perception; ELSA in biomedical research and
applications; ELSA in food production and food security, in agricultural practices, in environmental matters and in current issues in
developing countries (climate change, biodiversity, bio-energy and patenting issues)
Study material and literature: Material will be provided during the course
Completion: Lectures, films and a panel discussion; Group work (preparation and presentation of the case studies); Independent
study (learning diary)
Evaluation: Attendance 85%; Active contribution to the panel discussion and to the preparation and presentation of the case
study; Learning diary. Scale: Pass/fail
Responsible persons: MBIOT, HEBIOT, MScPPS, MScFood and MENVI coordinators
Other information: The course is organized jointly with the Dept. of Biosciences (code 529208). Priority is given to MBIOT,
HEBIOT, MScPPS, MScFood and MENVI Master's degree students and the exchange and visiting students of the two faculties.
Practical Training in Master`s Degree (BIOT421), 2 cr
882575
Target group: Biotechnology degree students
Timing: According to agreement. Recommended to be completed during the first or second year, but before the Master’s thesis
Preceding studies: Bachelor's degree or equivalent
Objective: To acquire practical experience in a company, research institute, university or government agency operating in the
field of biotechnology
Contents: Practical work in the field of biotechnology. The training place is to be agreed upon in advance with the responsible
professor.
Study materials and literature: Material related to the training
Completion: Practical work, training report. Duration: 1-3 months = 2 ECTS credits
Evaluation: Letter of reference and training report. Grading scale: Pass/fail
Responsible persons: Responsible professors
Advanced Training in a Research Group (BIOT422), 10 cr
882576
Target group: Biotechnology degree students
Timing: According to agreement. Recommended to be completed during the first or second year, but before the Master’s thesis
Preceding studies: Bachelor's degree or equivalent
Objective: After completing the study unit, the student has learned the basic concepts of independent work in a research group
and reporting of results. This course can be completed in two separate sections and preferably in two different research groups.
Contents: Full-time 2 months’ working period in a research group. The student participates in a small-scale research project,
learns basic methods, and becomes familiar with a specified research question under the supervision of a teacher. Reading
associated literature is included in the working period. At the end of the working period, the student prepares a brief report and
submits it, along with a laboratory book, to the teacher.
Study materials and literature: Scientific literature related to the project
Completion: Research group work, writing of the laboratory book and the report.
Evaluation: Research work, laboratory book and report. Grading scale: 0-5
Responsible persons: Responsible professors
Advanced Seminar (BIOT550), 3 cr
882578
Target group: Biotechnology degree students
Timing: Recommended to be completed during or after the experimental phase of the Master’s thesis
Preceding studies: Bachelor's degree and completion of most of the Master's degree studies
Objective: The seminar introduces students to the presentation techniques of oral presentations based on experimental
research. Students will prepare seminar presentations on the topic of their own Master’s thesis, covering the background,
objectives, methodology and the most important findings, and will discuss the topic in a manner similar to a presentation at a
scientific conference, taking into account, however, the audience's level of expertise. Furthermore, students will practice giving
and receiving feedback by acting as opponents to their fellow students’ presentations and by actively engaging in discussion.
Contents: Students will prepare seminar presentations on the topic of their own Master’s thesis. They will also act as opponents
to their fellow students and engage in discussions in the seminar.
Study materials and literature: Source material for the student’s research
Completion: Participation in the seminars (at least 8 attendances), oral presentation, acting as an opponent. The study unit can
be completed by participation in the advanced seminar series of the Department of the responsible professor (i.e. ETT485,
KEJAL520, KTB501, MEK251 tai MIKRO630) or, according to agreement, in other advanced seminar series (529249
recommended)
Evaluation: Oral presentation, active participation in the seminar. Grading scale: Pass/fail
Responsible persons: Responsible professors
Final Examination in Master`s Degree (BIOT560), 8-10 cr
882577
Target group: Biotechnology degree students
Timing: Recommended to be completed during the second year of the Master’s degree studies
4(3)
Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry
Study Guide 2011-2014, updated to academic year 2013-2014
Master’s Degree Programme in Biotechnology (MBIOT)
Preceding studies: Bachelor's degree and completion of most of the Master's degree studies
Objective: To deepen the student's knowledge of molecular biology and biotechnology within the chosen specialist option
Contents: Independent study, examination
Study materials and literature: Scientific literature according to the chosen specialist option
Completion: Literature examination. Literature agreed with the responsible professor. 100-150 pages = 1 ECTS credit
Evaluation: Literature examination. Grading scale: 0-5
Responsible persons: Responsible professors
Master`s Thesis (BIOT570), 40 cr
882579
Target group: Biotechnology degree students
Timing: Recommended to be completed during the second year of the Master’s degree studies
Preceding studies: Bachelor's degree and completion of most of the Master's degree studies
Objective: The Master’s thesis must demonstrate the student’s ability to think scientifically, mastery of the necessary research
methods, familiarity with the research topic and competence required for scientific communication in the field. The thesis work can
be completed independently or, alternatively, by participating in group work or in a wider research project, provided that the
student’s independent input can be verified and assessed. Each student must write the thesis independently.
Contents: See the instructions of your faculty or major subject
Study materials and literature: Scientific literature according to the chosen research topic
Completion: See the instructions of your faculty. The topic and supervisor of the thesis is agreed by the responsible professor
Evaluation: Verbal assessment on the Latin scale laudatur – approbatur (improbatur)
Responsible persons: Responsible professors
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