Three semesters of study, each at a different university, plus a scholarship of 1,400 EUR and a diploma for a specialist in sustainable biomass processing and bioproduct engineering. Candidates can now enrol for a unique master's degree programme at the Faculty of Chemistry.

The degree programme named Sustainable Biomass and Bioproducts Engineering (SBBE) is implemented by a consortium which, in addition to Wrocław University of Science and Technology, includes Universidad de Castilla - La Mancha (Spain) and Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUT (Finland). All three universities jointly deliver a four-semester master's programme, and the graduates of the courses will receive a diploma from each of them. 

Green technology specialists

Currently, the most popular research trend worldwide is clean, waste-free technologies and sustainable processing of primary and secondary raw materials. The development of these areas of activity requires specialists in chemical engineering. The SBBE project is a response to this demand.

“This is the only degree programme in the European Union that includes the technological aspects necessary for the development of innovative solutions in the bio-industry,” says Jolanta Warchoł, PhD, Dsc, Eng. Professor of the University working at Wrocław Tech’s Faculty of Chemistry.

In the course of their classes at three universities, the students will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to design and develop engineering solutions for sustainable biomass management and the obtainment of “green” products – biofuels, bioenergy, biodegradable plastics, building materials, paper, and chemicals. “The partner universities were selected to combine the classic courses of chemical engineering, biotechnology, and materials engineering and to adapt them to the current needs of the industry”, explains Prof. Jolanta Warchoł.

The teaching team from the Wrocław University of Science and Technology specialises in bioproducts, the staff from the University of Castilla la Mancha focuses on bioproduct engineering, while the Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology offers expertise in the manufacture and application of paper and construction biomaterials and biocomposites, as well as solutions for the sustainable use of renewable resources.

“The degree programme is addressed to people with an engineering degree in the fields of chemical engineering, environmental engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical technology, or biotechnology,” elaborates Prof. Warchoł.

She also tells us that to apply for admission to the SBBE course, the candidate should have at least a basic knowledge of organic and inorganic chemistry, chemical reactor engineering, process apparatus, as well as basic processes and unit operations in chemical and bioprocess engineering.

Studying in three countries

“The focus of our programme’s entire curriculum is on hands-on chemical knowledge in the fields of bioprocesses, biomass processing, sustainable management of waste products, and the production of functional biopolymers,” says the academic. “It consists of six learning modules that provide students with basic chemical knowledge, practical engineering design skills, and experience in the analysis and optimisation of biomass processing.”

The programme inauguration ceremony will be held in Poland, and also the first semester of study, dedicated to the synthesis and analysis of bioproducts, will be spent by the students in our country, at Wrocław Tech’s Faculty of Chemistry. The second semester entails a stay in Spain and classes in process modelling and simulation. At the end of the first year of training, there will be summer internship programmes in industry and research institutions. The third semester of study involves practical knowledge of real-life technological systems. The classes dedicated to that will be held in Finland. The final months of study, on the other hand, are the time dedicated to the completion of the thesis at the partner university of the student's choice.

The creation of the degree programme as well as all of its courses were extensively consulted with the companies involved in the SBBE project. “All of our industry partners offered internships and work placements as well as lectures and study visits to industrial facilities, which will be another asset for our students,” adds Prof. Jolanta Warchoł.

A 1,400 EUR scholarship

“Interest in the degree programme is huge. Last year alone, there were 26 candidates for one place. They came from over 60 countries in different parts of the world,” says Prof. Jolanta Warchoł.

All candidates go through a two-stage admission process organised by an international committee of fifteen professors representing the three partner universities. Everyone who is admitted receives a scholarship amounting to 1,400 EUR per month paid for the entire duration of their studies, which is two years.

The admission procedure starts on December 15, 2023. Detailed information on the entire process can be found here.

As for so-called self-funded students, i.e. those for whom the programme does not provide a scholarship, enrolments will continue until September 15. “It means that such a person has to pay their own living, accommodation, and travel costs during the course of study,” says Prof. Warchoł. “But in return, they receive considerable insurance, free access to all the benefits of the programme (cooking and dance courses, trips to industrial facilities, events, and materials related to the promotion of the programme), and can also attend free remedial classes and use the libraries, as well as IT and chemistry laboratories.

If you find it interesting, you can directly contact Prof. Jolanta Warchoł. Only eight such places are provided this year.