MSc Chemical and Biological Engineering (CBI) FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg

Courses are held in German and English (up to 30%). Participants can choose to hold their oral exams in English or German and write their Master's thesis in either language.

The Master's course in Chemical and Biological Engineering covers a wide range from the entire span of physical and chemical processes for material conversion up to the increasingly important biological processes. Knowledge in the fields of chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, and engineering sciences is necessary in order to apply processes developed on a laboratory scale and to adapt them for production on an industrial scale.

Our objective is the continuous optimisation of existing processes or the application of new processes to improve product characteristics and to reduce the number and quantity of undesired by-products and waste products.
Students can specialise, e.g., in process technology, chemical and/or biological applications. Students can choose from a broad range of subjects. Experience in project development is gained in a group project for all students in the course.

15 July for the following winter semester
15 January for the following summer semester

Students of Chemical and Biological Engineering choose four of the following specialisation subjects:

• bioprocess and bioreaction engineering
• product engineering
• chemical reaction engineering
• fluid mechanics
• technical thermodynamics
• separation science and technology
• simulation of granular and molecular systems

By choosing eight other subjects, students maintain a certain breadth in their studies. The first two semesters comprise coursework (lectures, tutorials, laboratory, and examinations). At the start of the third semester, students participate in a three-week group project development course ("Projektierungskurs") and then undertake their industrial internship. The Master's thesis is completed in the fourth semester (final semester) of the programme.

An internship of twelve weeks is to be completed during the third semester. Programme advisers will assist students in finding an appropriate internship.

No tuition fees

FAU does not charge tuition fees. However, each semester students must pay semester fees consisting of student services fees (approx. 70 EUR).

General guidelines on the average costs that can be expected are provided by the results of the social survey undertaken by the German National Association for Student Affairs in 2021:

According to this study, students who no longer live with their parents should have an average amount of 1,106 EUR per month at their disposal. However, monthly expenditures for personal lifestyle vary a lot. For former West Germany, the study revealed the following details on average expenditure:

• Rent, including ancillary costs (in Erlangen, Nuremberg and surrounding areas): 410 EUR
• Food: 198 EUR
• Clothing: 46 EUR
• Travel costs (public transport and/or car): 89 EUR
• Study materials (depending on subject): 31 EUR
• Health insurance, doctors, medicine: 100 EUR
• Telecommunications: 31 EUR
• Leisure, culture, sports: 65 EUR

Bachelor's or Dipl-Ing (FH) degree in chemical engineering, process engineering, biotechnology, or a closely related engineering subject; above-average grades

The required level of proficiency in English and German is B2 (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).

15 July for the following winter semester
15 January for the following summer semester

There is a wide range of scholarships available for outstanding students. In addition to requiring applicants to have excellent grades, most scholarship programmes have additional conditions regarding cultural, political, religious, or social involvement. If you have any questions about the application procedure or selection criteria, you can contact the Student Advice and Career Service (IBZ) or speak directly to FAU’s liaison officer for the scholarship organisation you wish to apply to.

https://www.fau.eu/study/prospective-students/financing-your-studies

Opportunities to work as part-time student assistants, typically on a research project within the department, are generally available.

The cities of Erlangen, Fürth, and Nuremberg offer a very good standard of living. They are popular places to live, meaning that accommodation is in high demand but often in short supply. This is particularly the case during the period before the start of a new semester. We therefore recommend that you start looking for accommodation as soon as possible. If you are flexible and also look in the surrounding area, you will have a better chance of finding somewhere affordable to live. The region has an excellent public transport system, so you should not have any problems getting to your place of study or work.

It is worth checking the available accommodation on the Internet every day, as new accommodation becomes available on a day-to-day basis. It pays to be flexible when it comes to the price, location, and available facilities of your accommodation.

Student Services Erlangen-Nürnberg runs its own student accommodation in Erlangen and Nuremberg. You will be informed about how to apply for a room in Student Services accommodation while you are in the process of applying to be admitted to FAU.

Founded in 1743, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) is now one of the largest research universities in Germany with 40,996 students and 276 degree programmes. The five faculties cover the entire spectrum of modern academic disciplines – from humanities, social sciences and theology to medicine, law, economics, sciences and engineering.

One of FAU’s defining features is its commitment to interdisciplinary teaching and research, which frequently go beyond the boundaries of individual subjects.

FAU’s outstanding research and teaching is reflected in top positions in both national and international rankings as well as the high amount of DFG funding that its researchers are able to secure.

FAU is based in three cities – Erlangen, Fürth and Nuremberg. Each of the FAU campuses is closely connected to the social and economic pulse of these cities. Studying and city life at FAU go hand in hand, so much so that it’s hard to tell city and campus life apart.

"Moving Knowledge" is our motto and guiding principle at FAU. Therefore, we strive to generate knowledge to shape the future responsibly and openly share knowledge with all stakeholders in society to drive prosperity and create value. We also use knowledge to improve our world for future generations.

FAU’s two main sites, the cities of Erlangen and Nuremberg, are located at the heart of the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region. Both Erlangen and Nuremberg have their own unique charms. Erlangen is a city of 100,000 inhabitants, was the former home of the Huguenots, and it is a key location for Siemens. Nuremberg is a city with a metropolitan flair and a population of half a million. The opera, theatre, and museums, along with a lively pub scene and nightlife, offer plenty of opportunities to relax after a day in the lecture theatre, lab, or library. The highlights of the cultural calendar in Erlangen include the "Hörkunstfestival" (acoustic art festival), International Comic Salon, "figuren.theater.festival" (puppet theatre festival), "Poetenfest" (poetry festival), and the "ARENA… of the young arts" theatre and performance festival. A wide range of cultural institutions open their doors to visitors during the Blue Night in Nuremberg, and once every two years, the Long Night of Sciences gives the public a chance to take a look inside research institutions in Erlangen, Nuremberg, and Fürth. In summary, the mixture of academia, innovative companies, art, and culture makes the region the perfect place for creative minds. There is also plenty on offer for keen athletes and nature lovers. Fränkische Schweiz, a paradise for climbers and walkers, is located to the north of Erlangen and is at FAU’s doorstep. Water sports enthusiasts will love the Franconian lakes and the university’s water sports centre, which is located just south of Nuremberg.