Biotechnology and Food Engineering
Modern biotechnology and food engineering are fields of high technology engineering, combining biology and life sciences with engineering, by using living material in production. The most characteristic feature of biotechnology is the use of living cells, or metabolic compounds of living organisms, e.g. enzymes, in production. Biotechnology has a long history, being perhaps the oldest technology harnessed by man.
The first applications were invented accidentally e.g. making wine, beer, yoghurt, or baking bread or making sauerkraut. Nowadays, biotechnology comprises a lot more: antibiotics, targeted drugs, functional food, enzymes produced by cultivating microbes, research of hereditary diseases etc. Microbes can also be used in ore beneficiation in mining industry, e.g. in concentrating iron or nickel. Currently, microbes are also used in producing renewable liquid or gaseous fuels e.g. from food waste.
Degree Programme in Biotechnology and Food Engineering offers both daytime studies for young adults with vocational education or high school background, or studies taking place in the evenings for adults, already working in the field. All tuition is in Finnish. The programme provides the learners with practical experience and professional knowledge in the field.
Specialisation Options
There are two specialization options in the Degree Programme of Biotechnology and Food Engineering
- Bioprocessing and quality management
- Biomedicine
Career Prospects
The ever more stringent requirements of using renewable sources, especially in energy production, offer great challenges and opportunities for engineers of biotechnology and food engineering, not only in Finland but also worldwide.
Engineers, graduated from Biotechnology and Food Engineering Degree Programme work for example as experts, or supervisors, both in food industry and in biotechnological production. Typical job descriptions include production, research and development, marketing, management, or environmental protection positions. Both biotechnology and food engineering are research intensive fields aiming at new sustainable, and safer or healthier products. Also improving quality and quality controls systems play an important role in the field. Engineers that have focused on research and development typically act as experts in use of modern laboratory equipment.
Chemical Engineering
The level of chemical industry in Finland is very advanced. It is important to develop technology, which is not harmful to the environment, to use rationally natural resources and to handle and minimise process wastes. The basis of product design has to be the life cycle of the product. The chemical industry lays strong emphasis on research and development as well as environmental research.
Graduates from chemical and environmental engineering can expect to find jobs as specialists in production and public administration, R&D or quality control, process design and dimensioning as well as in marketing, purchasing or customer service.
The goal of the degree Programme in chemical engineering is to provide the student with the basic skills in order to work in the chemical industry as a specialist or at the management. These tasks require the ability to apply professional skills and knowledge in practice. In the chemical industry it is essential to consider safety regulations, environmental and health aspects as well as the possibility to apply automation and computing. One of the main goals is to learn to accommodate both the economical and ecological values.
Materials Technology and Surface Engineering
Materials Technology and Surface Engineering is a necessity in all industrial activities and building services covering areas from traditional to high-technology engineering. The aim of materials technology and surface engineering is to improve the performance of structures and devices, to enable new technological innovations and to provide finished products with durability and an aesthetic appearance. This can be utilised in improved efficiency in most activities of the society and in more pleasant living conditions and environments.
The graduates from this degree programme are competent in various kinds of jobs in the building, metal, polymer, wood product, electronics as well as chemical and process industries. These include expert duties in product design and development, production and labour management, quality assurance and customer service as well as marketing and selling. Qualified engineers find also employment as educators in vocational schools.
Specialisation options:
- Industrial Surface Engineering
- Surface Treatment of Building
- Materials and Corrosion Technology
Tuition is in finnish, however project works and Final Year Project can be offered in English.