The study of biotechnology in focus

On January 26 and 27, a team of 13 bachelor's and master's students, in cooperation with dedicated staff members of the Institute of Biotechnology and the Central Student Advisory Service, realized lectures and experiments. In their digital form, these convinced the young people, who often participated in school classes, as well as educators during the 7th Biotechnology Days.

For example, the presentation of the biotechnology program by Dr. Barbara Hansen, head of the program, was praised. "That was a very interesting event today, high regard for the speakers," summed up Jacqueline Chrzan, a teacher at the Frankfurt (Oder) Sports School. She will even incorporate some of the lectures given by the students, which deal with the effects of painkillers, for example, into her lessons.

Dirk Schröder, subject teacher for biology and chemistry at Templin High School, thanks for the opportunity to gain an insight into scientific work at the BTU via this online offering. He emphasizes: "Many of the facts presented are directly related to the topics taught in this semester. This can deepen knowledge or create an application reference. We would be pleased to receive further offers from you. Overall, we can chalk it up as a successful start for us."

The staff involved from the Institute of Biotechnology, Jenny Scholka, Kerstin Schöne, Susanne Nieland and Carolin Mittelstädt, also found the students' program and in particular their videos from the laboratories to be very original. "Experiments from the microbiology lab", "How does alcohol affect liver cells?" and "Microorganisms" were the topics here. Again, the students demonstrated their ability to communicate specialized knowledge to students and to adapt to the level of knowledge of a particular audience.

"It was a lot of fun and it was something new to design the experiment as a video project," explains Sarah Stegen, a master's student in biotechnology, on behalf of the organizing team. While it was somewhat difficult to share experiences via conference call and without face-to-face contact, the online format also allowed more students to be reached and familiarized with lab experiments via video. For future events, she said, it might be a possibility to combine presence in the lab and videos.

Background With its interdisciplinary subjects, modern biotechnology is one of the key technologies of the 21st century. The bachelor' s and master's degree program in biotechnology, which is based at the Senftenberg location of BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, includes a high practical component. Students have the opportunity to expand their horizons in renowned, also international, research institutions. The degree program offers perfect conditions for entry into the biotechnology industry and a wide range of career opportunities.