Chemistry and biology are becoming increasingly important. The food we eat, the air we breathe, the clothes we wear ¨C in fact, all the things we surround ourselves with are developed or influenced by chemistry and biology. ?The most complex chemical processes are the work of living organisms, and chemistry determines how food tastes and how our things can be designed and processed. In the programme, you gain insight into biotechnological and chemical processes and industries ¨C and you learn to use advanced techniques when working on experiments both in the laboratories and on the computer.?

As a student at Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, you develop both technical and practical skills. You work with challenges from the world around us and collaborate with both researchers and the business community on concrete solutions. The teaching is in English and the international environment strengthens your language skills and gives you an international outlook and network.?

The programme focuses on exploiting the potential of chemistry and biotechnology. You work with biological and chemical processes and learn how to design solutions to use in industry, environmental protection, energy and health.?

The teaching features problem-based learning (PBL) where you work in groups on a new project each semester, and where you combine theory and modern technology to solve practical problems. Through the programme, you gain a strong understanding of how pervasive biotechnology and chemistry are in society, and you are thus able to work across many different industries. The projects can be on anything from environmentally friendly energy and biofuel sources to the development of new bioactive molecules and materials or the efficiency of chemical processes. Every project is different, and each gives you a unique opportunity to specialize in topics that interest you.

After completing the Bachelor's degree, you have the opportunity to continue your studies in a number of Master's programmes in Esbjerg or Aalborg. Chemical Engineering is a programme where you use chemical engineering to create new and greener processes and products. In the Bioprocess Technology programme, you can work with bioenergy, biotechnology and bioprocesses and influence society's transition to more sustainable production. In Aalborg, you can study Chemistry which focuses on synthesizing new materials and complex, functional organic substances, or Biotechnology which has a strong focus on molecular biotechnology.

During the first semester, you will establish basic knowledge within chemical?engineering and biotechnology. You will also develop general engineering?skills in math and learn how to work and navigate?as a modern engineer in larger team projects. Furthermore, you will learn to work safely in the laboratory, evaluate and use appropriate protectives, and handle chemicals and other materials safely.

In your first semester project, the focus is on relevant chemical products in our?society and the production process. You will learn how to communicate the problem and your findings in writing, graphically and orally in a coherent way.

Courses

• Problem Based Learning in Science, Technology and Society (5 ECTS)
• General Chemistry (5 ECTS)
• Calculus (5 ECTS)

Project

• Chemical and Bio Industrial Products (10 ECTS)
• Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology ¨C A case study (5 ECTS)

Examples of project topics

• Biodiesel
• Indigo blue as vat dye
• Biodiesel from microalgae: A possible competitor to petroleum diesel
• Better living through chemistry: Polyethylene
• Biopesticides and BT-toxins
• Preservatives in cosmetics: Preservatives in creams
• The advantages and complications of penicillin
• The innovation of chemotherapy as a way of treating cancer
• Vaccines
• Aspartame: Investigation of health effects, legislation, and stability
• Chemical and bio industrial products: Vitamin deficiency in Denmark
• Fossil fuels: The backbone of the industrialised society

See a 1st semester project:?Biodiesel from Microalgae; A Possible Competitor to Petroleum Diesel

In the second semester you will work with cells, dna and enzymes. You will also learn about thermodynamics and how thermodynamics can be applied to understand, describe and solve problems within the field of chemical engineering. Meanwhile you will strengthen your knowledge, understanding and application of mathematical theories and methods.

Courses

• Biological Active Molecules ¨C Introduction to Cell Biology and Biological Chemistry (5 ECTS)
• Fundamental Chemical Engineering and Thermodynamics (5 ECTS)
• Linear Algebra (5 ECTS)

Project

• Chemical Reactions in Natural and Technical Systems (15 ECTS)

Examples of project topics

• Production methods of caffeine
• Electrochemical oxidation as a tertiary treatment process for Greywater Recycling in the EU
• Optimising household biogas production concerning rural areas in developing countries
• Optimisation of lidocaine
• Paracetamol: A widely used painkiller
• Alleviating the impact of wastewater on the environment: Removal of nutrients by struvite precipitation
• Optimisation of the steam distillation method for extracting natural aroma compounds

During the third semester, you will apply your knowledge of organic chemistry in technical, biological and ecological contexts. You will learn about basic concepts of probability theory, statistics and quality control, and you will be introduced to relevant statistical software for solving problems in statistics and quality control. The third semester is also characterised by experiments and you will develop important laboratory skills.

Courses

• Methods in Quantitative Chemical Analysis (5 ECTS)
• Inorganic and Organic Chemistry (5 ECTS)
• Applied Statistics (5 ECTS)

Project

• Analysis of Chemical Systems (15 ECTS)

Examples of project topics

• Analysis of contaminants in the AAU rainwater reservoir
• Investigation of the pollution of Grindsted Engs?
• Reliability of XRF for heavy metal analysis in contaminated soil
• Biorock: First tries in cold water
• Heavy metals in paint
• Arsenic and iron in drinking water

On the fourth semester, you choose one of three project topics to focus on. In the courses you will learn how to describe and solve problems in for example separation process engineering and how to utilise knowledge about biochemical molecules and processes. Furthermore, you will work with the properties and applicability of materials for engineering purposes. The fourth semester, like the third, is also characterised by experiments, and you will develop important laboratory skills.

Courses

• Chemical Thermodynamics and Separation Process Engineering (5 ECTS)
• Microbial Biotechnology (5 ECTS)
• Material Science and Material Selection (5 ECTS)

Project

Choose one topic

• Material Science (15 ECTS)
• Applied Microbiology (15 ECTS)
• Petrochemical Separation Processes (15 ECTS)

Examples of project topics

• Development of an aragonite-brucite composite as a protective coating for offshore substructures
• Heterologous expression of prebikaverin in s. cerevisiae
• Searching for fungi with antibiotic properties
• Atmospheric crude oil distillation unit design based on a specified crude

During the 5th semester, you will develop your general engineering skills and learn to design, control and adjust chemical processes and systems. Also, you will gain necessary insight into other areas of engineering - an insight needed for larger projects to succeed, and which can be the foundation for future collaboration.

Courses

• Chemical Reaction Engineering (5 ECTS)
• Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer and Fluid Mechanics (5 ECTS)
• Mathematical Modelling and Numerical Methods (5 ECTS)

Project

Choose one topic

• Chemical Process Engineering (15 ECTS)
• Bioprocess Engineering (15 ECTS)
• Refinery Products and Processes (15 ECTS)

Examples of project topics

• Electrochemical considerations and demonstration of a quinone-based redox flow battery
• Optimal conditions with respect to production of fusaristatin A in Fusarium graminearum: Bioprocess technology

On the sixth semester, you write your Bachelor¡¯s project within the framework of chemical engineering and biotechnology. During the courses you will learn more about how to perform controlled experiments, do research, develop study plans based on qualitative and quantitative data and analyse your findings.

Courses

• Design of Experiments (5 ECTS)
• Process Control, Instrumentation and Safety (5 ECTS)

Bachelor¡¯s project

• Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology (20 ECTS)

Examples of bachelor¡¯s project topics

• Three-dimensional electrode reactor for wastewater treatment
• Quinon based redox flow battery
• H2S Scavengers
• Analysis and control of potable water in the prefecture of Kavala

To meet the entry requirements for the Bachelor's?programme in Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, you need the following qualifications:

• Upper secondary school exam
• English B or an acceptable?IELTS or TOEFL or Cambridge score
• Mathematics A with a minimum grade of 4,0 in average

And one of the following combinations:

• Physics B and Chemistry B
• Physics B and? Biotechnology A
• Geoscience A and Chemistry B

Please note that A, B and C refer to the course level - not grades.

The programme has restricted admission. Thus, not all applicants who apply for admission within the prescribed deadline and meet the entry requirements are guaranteed admission to the programme.

In 2024 AAU offered 40 student places. All applicants meeting the entry requirements were admitted.

Quota 1

If you have a non-Danish degree that may be converted into a Danish GPA (grade points average), your application will also be assessed in Quota 1. For Quota 1 applicants, only the GPA of the upper secondary school certificate is assessed. Applicants are admitted on a competitive basis according to their GPA, so that the applicant with the highest GPA is admitted first and so on until all places are filled.

Quota 2

Qualified applicants in Quota 2 (20% of all student places) will be selected through an overall assessment based on:

• Grades in the specific entry requirements
• Activities up to a maximum of 12 months.? Relevant professional work experience, and/or relevant education & supplementary courses?

Examples of relevant work experience

• Work with production and development within the chemical, environmental engineering or biotechnology industries

Examples of relevant education

• Parts of bachelor's degrees in engineering and natural science programs
• Parts of professional bachelor's degree within the field of technical or natural science content, e.g. diploma engineer or laboratory technician

All activities must be documented. Activities up to a maximum of 12 months will be considered. If you are in doubt whether your activities will be taken into consideration, we advice that you submit documentation for all your activities, and the Admissions Office will select the activities that serve you the best.

In order to apply for admission, please go to the portal of the Danish Ministry of Education, optagelse.dk. Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology?s admission area no. is 26525.

It is important that you read our guide?How to apply to Aalborg University. Please, also note our information about?general entry requirements.

Information concerning admission requirements in general may be found on the website of the?Danish Agency for Science and Higher?Education.?On this page you can also find information on whether the level of a foreign certificate meets the general entry requirements.

At?www.optagelse.dk?you must start your application process by filling in an application form and a priority form. This produces a Signature Page that you must print out, sign and submit by e-mail to?bacheloroptag@aau.dk

Application deadline for all applicants holding a foreign entry examination

Your Signature page must be received at The Admissions Office before 15 March, 12 noon. Only the Signature page is proof of you applying for an undergraduate programme. Your application process is not completed until the Signature page is received at The Admissions Office.

Please note that students from outside the EU/EEA will have to pay application fee and tuition fee. Please go to?Finances and Fees?for further information.

When doing project work, you work closely in groups with other students. This gives you the opportunity to cooperate, share knowledge and to explore larger and more complex academic problems than what you would have been able to do on your own. Furthermore, the groups serve a social purpose and make it easier for you to get to know your fellow students and feel more at home at the university. Learn more about?teamwork at AAU.

Aalborg University works closely with the business community. This means that as a student you will work with real issues from companies and organisations. Thus, while you are studying, you already have the opportunity to enhance your academic competences with a business-oriented and practical angle.

At Aalborg University teaching is research based. This means that your lecturers are doing research within the same academic field as he or she is teaching. You thus have access to the latest knowledge and dedicated teachers who are passionate about what they teach. The teaching material not only includes books but may also consist of, for example, current academic articles from journals.

The laboratories at Aalborg University are of the highest standard, and they play an important role in teaching. You will work under the best laboratory conditions with access to the latest technology, which is vital for your benefiting from the teaching.

Formerly known primarily for its?fishing industry, Esbjerg has developed into a city with to universities and more than 60 higher study programmes. Furthermore, Esbjerg has a lot to offer in terms of culture and leisure activities. It is not difficult to find affordable accommodation near campus and Esbjerg is cheaper to live in than most of the other university cities in Denmark. Learn more about?student life in Esbjerg.

Aalborg University is rated for excellence in the?QS-ranking system. Aalborg University has received five stars certifying the world-class position of the university based on cutting-edge facilities and internationally renowned research and teaching faculty.
Within Engineering and Technology, Aalborg University ranked as number 76 in 2015/2016.

• design of new materials for medical equipment
• production of solar cells for energy production
• production of enzymes
• teaching
• reducing air pollution
• securing food quality
• securing clean drinking water
• production of ceramic nanomaterials for e.g. self-cleaning window surfaces
• straw and wood chips conversion to bioethanol and biogas
• testing and chemical analysis in relation to environmental and product control
• gas and oil extraction
• optimising processes on offshore installations
• reducing damage to the environment
• design of new functional, smart and environmentally friendly materials