Prerequisites for Bioinformatics

Academic requirements for this programme

Regardless of one's background, basic knowledge of biochemistry and molecular biology is essential in order to understand the biological problems that are addressed in Bioinformatics. It is also an advantage to know basic computer programming. We therefore very strongly recommend that all prospective students should make sure to build competences in these fields, for instance by taking elective courses during their BSc. We suggest courses corresponding to a minimum of 5 ECTS in molecular biology, and 5 ECTS in computer programming (Preferably Python or R).

National Applicants (holding a Bachelor from Denmark)

Prerequisites, Bachelor of Science in Engineering from DTU

Students holding a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Biotechnology
• Human Life Science Engineering
• Life Science Engineering
• Applied Mathematics (former Mathematics and Technology)
• Quantitative Biology and Disease Modelling

have legal right of admission to the MSc Eng. programme in Bioinformatics.

The following Bachelor of Science programmes give students access to admission to the MSc Eng programme in Bioinformatics:

• Chemistry and Technology
• Environmental Engineering
• Engineering Physics 
• General Engineering (Living Systems)

Students with a BSc Eng. degree in other fields can also be accepted provided they have acquired basic competences in the fields of molecular biology and biochemistry (for example course 27002 Life Science). The competencies and qualifications of the applicants will be considered individually based on the material submitted together with the application form.  

Prerequisites, Bachelors in Engineering from DTU

Students holding a bachelor in Engineering in:

• Chemical and Biochemical Engineering

may be admitted to the MSc Eng. in Bioinformatics  after individual assessment.

Other National and International Applicants (holding a Bachelor from outside Denmark)

Prerequisites, Bachelors from other universities

To be eligible for admission, applicants must document a relevant Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent). Applicants must have completed a minimum of 60 ECTS credits within academic areas relevant to bioinformatics.

Applicants must document at least 20 ECTS credits of relevant core qualifications within the following areas:

• 5 ECTS in molecular biology, e.g. corresponding to DTU course 27002 Life Science
• 5 ECTS in programming, e.g. corresponding to DTU course 02002 Computer Programming
• 5 ECTS in mathematics, e.g. corresponding to DTU course 01001 Mathematics 1a
• 5 ECTS in statistics, e.g. corresponding to DTU course 02402 Statistics

The remaining 40 ECTS credits must be completed within one or more bioinformatics relevant scientific, engineering, or technical subjects, including but not limited to: Life science, Computer Science, Mathematics and statistics, Data science, Bioinformatics or computational biology.

The overall combination of competencies must be relevant to the MSc programme in Bioinformatics. The assessment is based on completed and documented courses. Admission is based on an overall academic assessment, and meeting the minimum ECTS requirements does not in itself guarantee admission.

Limited intake and selection criteria

The master's degree programme has a limited intake. Meeting the admission requirements does not automatically ensure your offer of admission. Because of the limited intake all qualified applicants will be prioritised according to a set of selection criteria and a point-based system.

Only if you are a student with a Bachelor’s degree from a Danish institution and meet one of the four criterias listed below will you be guaranteed an offer of admission:

1. Legal right of admission
2. Direct admission
3. Students who have been conditionally admitted under the Supplementary admission
4. Pre-approved students under the *Transition semester* category

Other National and International applicants

Selection criteria

If there are more qualified applicants than available student places, the selection will be based on the following criteria: 

Evaluation Criteria and Weighting: 

*Programme specific subjects (measured in ECTS):

• Biology
• Mathematics
• Computer Science
• Statistics / machine learning / AI

The minimum point requirement for the programme will be determined based on the overall competitiveness of the other applicants.

General admission requirements

Only applicants holding a relevant Bachelor of Science in Engineering, a Bachelor in Engineering (diplomingeniøruddannelse) or a Bachelor of Natural Science degree can be admitted to a Master of Science in Engineering programme. The bachelor's degree must be less than ten years old.

Supplementary educational activities (only applicable for National students):  The individual MSc Eng programme states in detail which bachelor programmes qualify and whether applicants must complete supplementary educational activities. Requirements for supplementary educational activities can equate to up to 30 ECTS credits and are specified as a list of courses under the individual MSc Eng programmes. The specific requirements must be met before graduating from the bachelor's programme or in connection with conditional admission to a particular MSc Eng programme. The courses must be passed prior to the commencement of studies within one year from the conditional admission. Supplementary educational activities in connection with conditional admission to an MSc Eng programme do not form part of the MSc Eng programme, and tuition fees are charged. If the supplementary courses have not been passed within the specified deadlines, the conditional admission to the programme is withdrawn.

The Master of Science in Engineering programmes are offered in English. Therefore applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English (B-level, IELTS, TOEFL, CAE) Applying for an MSc at DTU - Language test requirements

DTU offers an Honours Programme as part of all MSc  Eng. programmes. The admission requirements are described at https://www.dtu.dk/english/education/graduate/honours-programmes

Specific prerequisites for the Industry MSc Eng Programmes

The prerequisites are similar to the specific ones that apply to the 2-year-programmes, but in addition, the applicant must have a job relevant to the studies with a workload of at least 25 hours a week, or the applicant may be self-employed in a start-up company. Read more about the rules on https://www.dtu.dk/english/education/graduate/industry-master-of-science-in-engineering