As a prospective student of the Science and Technology bachelor’s programme, you might have question marks about what’s ahead of you and might not have a clear idea of what to expect from the courses and the program structure. So in this blog post, I have decided to share my first-hand experience and address as many question marks as possible to give you a clear vision of the flow of the Science and Technology programme as a third-year student specializing in Genetics and Biotechnology.
The Science and Technology programme is very broad in the sense that it gives you an overview of many different fields of science and then provides the opportunity to specialize in the particular field that suits your interests the most. The three specializations are Genetics and Biotechnology, Bioengineering and Robotics, and Chemistry and Materials Science. The first 3 semesters are dedicated to enhancing your knowledge in the necessary basics of mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics, and programming. As for the fourth semester, you can choose one of the three mentioned specializations and have a more focused study. Additionally, several chances are available to boost your laboratory skills during this time. Through the “Laboratory Projects” elective course, you can participate in three research projects in three different institutes (institute of technology, chemistry, and molecular biology) and get a glimpse of the laboratory work or research conducted in various fields to later on present the projects in seminars. As of the second semester, you can also take part in one of the most internationally well-known synthetic biology competitions called iGem. This opportunity will help you gain many skills in wet lab, dry lab, human practices, public engagement, and most importantly, team work!
Once the fourth semester is around the corner, you’ll need to make up your mind about which path to take.
In the Genetics and Biotechnology specialization, you’ll focus more on various fields of biology and biotechnology. The curriculum is packed with various practical courses in biotechnology, microbiology, virology, biochemistry, genetics, and cell biology so it allows you to expand your practical skills and theoretical knowledge. I highly recommend making the most out of the practical sessions as they are quite beneficial, specially if you are considering pursuing a career in laboratory.
The 4th and 5th semesters are also very rich in theoretical courses that provide you a strong basis in different aspects of biology such as microbiology, biotechnology, cell biology, developmental biology, and evolutionary processes. When combined with the practical courses mentioned above, they give you an amazing chance to remarkably enhance your understanding of various fields in biology.
Then comes that last part, the graduation thesis. Personally, I believe it’s best if you start looking through research groups in different faculties already in the second year to find a project that interests you. This way, you’ll have much more time to spend on your thesis project and less rush. Luckily, the Genetics and Biotechnology curriculum has only one obligatory course in the last semester so you can dedicate all your time and attention to your project and writing your thesis under the guidance of your supervisor. Then, before you know it, you’ll be holding a bachelor’s degree of science in your hands!
Don’t hesitate to check out the link below to find out more about what the programme has to offer: https://st.ut.ee/
