Programme overview

The MSc in Bioengineering and Nanosystems is an interdisciplinary programme, which encompasses elements of Engineering and Life Sciences, by exploring practical applications of engineering in research, development and industrial production in sectors such as Biotechnology, Information Science, Electronics and new materials. Graduates are equipped to design, build, test, analyze and apply cell lines, new molecules, nano and micro-devices, therapeutic and/or commercial interest systems in different industries, at both business and research levels.

Study Plan

The 2nd Cycle in Bioengineering and Nanosystems has a duration of 4 semesters (2 years), equivalent to 120 ECTS credits, with the curriculum component described below.

  • 1st year (ECTS)

    • 42
    • 18
  • 2nd year (ECTS)

    • 6
    • 12
    • 12
    • 30

Programme Structure

The curricula of the 1st and 2nd Cycle were reformed in the 2021/2022 academic year, following Decree-Law 65/2018 and the implementation of a new teaching model and pedagogical practices (previous programme structure).

  1. Core Structure (48 ECTS)

    The MSc in Bioengineering and Nanosystems (Major) deepens the knowledge acquired in the 1st Cycle in subject areas as diverse as Biomolecular Engineering, Automatic Learning, Nanotechnology, Biomaterials, Systems Control, among others.

  2. Free options (30 ECTS)

    Part of the curriculum is of fully free choice, i.e., students may choose subjects not only in Bioengineering, but also in any other scientific field offered by Técnico.

    This component includes the possibility to take a Minor – a number of multidisciplinary modules- which corresponds to 18 ECTS. The offer cuts across all programmes taught at Técnico.

    Minors

    Extra-curricular activities may also be credited, to a maximum of 6 ECTS credit points.

  3. Integrative Project (12 ECTS)

    In order to merge knowledge acquired in this MSc programme, students are proposed to conduct individual or group work research for a project, within an academic or business context, on a challenge in Bioengineering.

  4. Dissertation (30 ECTS)

    The dissertation is the final assignment of the study cycle, which allows students to focus and specialise on a specific subject that may take any of these formats:

    • Scientific thesis
    • Internship at a company
    • Capstone project

Target Audience

The MSc in Bioengineering and Nanosystems is intended for graduates in areas related to Bioengineering, namely Biomedical Eng., Biological Eng., Electrical and Computer Eng., Electronics, Chemical Eng. Computing Eng., Engineering Physics, Materials and Mechanical Eng., or Biochemistry and related areas.

The programme is taught in Portuguese however may there be international or mobility students enrolled, the curricular units will be taught in English.

Career Opportunities

The MSc in Bioengineering and Nanosystems offers programmes across a broad range of topic categories, with a significant experimental component in Biotechnology and Micro and Nanotechnologies. Graduates may pursue a career in:

  • scientific research;
  • new products in the food sector (for example, nanostructures that have an effect on flavour or textures);
  • healthcare, namely in the creation of medical devices or analysis of mass data for medical interpretation;
  • designing nanodevices through the use of biological molecules;
  • engineering materials and sensors (for example, for proteses or the dental medicine);
  • other engineering areas, such as food, biotechnology and biomechanics.

Entry requirements

To apply for a 2nd Cycle at Técnico you should:

  • hold a 1st cycle degree in Science and Technology (except in the case of the 2nd cycle in Architecture, which requires a 1st cycle degree in Architecture);
  • hold an academic, scientific or professional curriculum that certifies their ability to do the MSc programme which they apply for.

Candidates are selected according to these criteria:

  • affinity between the degree they hold and the programme they apply for;
  • type of degree they hold;
  • academic success in the programme they attended.

Note: if requested, we may appreciate the academic, scientific or professional curriculum and the candidate’s performance during the interview.

Students' Organisations

Técnico students autonomously and proactively stimulate projects that complement their academic background. For example, the Students’ Organisations provide them with skills and added value making them more competitive in the labour market.

The students of the programmes taught at the Bioengineering Department gather together annually for Bioengineering Week, which promotes contact with different companies, researchers and professions.