Type:
Master
Speciality:
051101.13.7 - Biology
Specialisation:
051101.13.7 - Applied Microbiology
Qualification awarded:
Master of Biology
Programme academic year:
2025/2026
Mode of study:
Full time
Language of study:
Հայերեն
1. Admission criteria/requirements
Admission to the YSU Master’s program is conducted on a competitive basis. Applicants
holding a Bachelor’s degree or a Diploma Specialist qualification from state or accredited non-
state higher education institutions of the Republic of Armenia are eligible to apply.
Applicants holding a bachelor’s degree in the same field of specialization are admitted without
examinations, while applicants from related fields must take an exam.
holding a Bachelor’s degree or a Diploma Specialist qualification from state or accredited non-
state higher education institutions of the Republic of Armenia are eligible to apply.
Applicants holding a bachelor’s degree in the same field of specialization are admitted without
examinations, while applicants from related fields must take an exam.
2. Programme Objectives
· To develop advanced professional knowledge in the fundamental and applied fields of
applied microbiology and innovative technologies, as well as the ability to conduct
scientific research while testing and implementing scientific results in production;
· To promote students’ innovative thinking in developing proposals of applied
significance, implementing and commercializing research results, formulating research
objectives, and defining tasks in various areas of applied microbiology;
· To develop skills for planning and organizing professional activity objects and research
processes, as well as the work of teams implementing them; to select organizational
methods, technological, software, and instrumental tools for the implementation of these
processes;
· To plan and organize the process of implementation and commercialization of obtained
results.
applied microbiology and innovative technologies, as well as the ability to conduct
scientific research while testing and implementing scientific results in production;
· To promote students’ innovative thinking in developing proposals of applied
significance, implementing and commercializing research results, formulating research
objectives, and defining tasks in various areas of applied microbiology;
· To develop skills for planning and organizing professional activity objects and research
processes, as well as the work of teams implementing them; to select organizational
methods, technological, software, and instrumental tools for the implementation of these
processes;
· To plan and organize the process of implementation and commercialization of obtained
results.
3. Educational outcomes of the programme
Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- Describe comprehensive concepts based on the most up-to-date achievements of natural sciences, as well as the role of microorganisms and other living organisms in the organic world
- Describe individual and group (integrated, initiative-based, and commissioned) research characteristics, as well as methods of preparing abstracts, theses, articles, reports, presentations, and other types of scientific information; describe research specifics in biology and related fields.
- Apply methods and approaches for obtaining, selecting, preserving, and using industrial strains of microorganisms in biotechnology, energy, and environmental protection, as well as assess their productivity and economic efficiency.
- Explain biological phenomena in which microorganisms, the processes they carry out, their physicochemical composition, metabolic pathways, regulation, and evolution are harmoniously interconnected.
- Present fundamental and applied issues of microbiological biotechnologies and innovative approaches, possibilities for the use of microorganisms in Armenia in food production, new energy sources, alternative energy development, and various industries, as well as the advantages and prospects of developing or improving technologies for processing agricultural and industrial organic waste using microorganisms.
- Present modern approaches in applied microbiology and key issues of biotechnological production, main methods of biologically derived fuel production and their specificities, describe biosafety issues related to bioreactor use, ethical norms, and professional skills required for work in relevant industrial enterprises.
- Apply modern scientific, research, and innovation methodologies and methodological tools; analyze qualitative and quantitative methods used in microbiological professional activities, assess the capabilities and limitations of advanced equipment; prepare innovative proposals and economic justifications using computer-based methods of data collection, editing, processing, storage, transmission, and protection.
- Conduct research planning and justification, patent and information analysis; apply principles of method selection, positive and negative controls, data accuracy and reproducibility; use qualitative, quantitative, analytical, and comparative methods; prepare research reports and presentations.
- Assess possibilities for the use of biological objects, develop new biofuel production technologies, carry out processes required for patenting, ensure microbiological control of food production conditions; demonstrate skills for working in food, healthcare, medical, and laboratory settings; as well as relevant production sectors; develop biotechnology business plans; apply precise microbiological methods; use methods for analyzing the balance of fermentation end products; demonstrate high efficiency both as a team member and a team leader; prepare scientific articles.
- Apply fundamental and analytical quantitative methods of microbiology, molecular cell biology, and related disciplines; integrate concepts, development issues, and prospects of applied biology and microbial biotechnology, as well as genetic, cellular, and metabolic engineering and cloning.
- Analyze and evaluate biotechnological methods for studying microorganisms; predict and model the systematic and sequential induction of enzyme synthesis; regulate microbial growth and metabolism through various factors; apply microbial metabolic characteristics in different industries by formulating research objectives and tasks.
- Plan measures to improve ecological conditions, propose solutions for processing organic waste in nature and industry; develop programs aimed at protecting nature and human health; describe material and energy balances of microbial biomass production and assess microbial growth based on carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen; interpret and justify the advantages and limitations of developing environmental biotechnologies using microorganisms (waste processing, bioleaching of metals, and bioremediation).
- Use various sources of information (Internet, electronic libraries, scientific articles, reports).
- Analyze and evaluate existing problems and independently formulate solutions.
- Prepare presentations of research results.
- Develop and present business plans and start-up projects in applied microbiology and biotechnology.
- Work as a team member or leader, demonstrate high work efficiency, contribute to activities aimed at protecting nature and human health, and adhere to professional ethical standards.
4. Assessment methods
Courses with final assessment: mandatory components are two mid-term assessments and a final
examination. At least one of the remaining components (current assessments, independent work,
and participation) is selected by the teaching professor.
Courses without a final assessment: mandatory components are two mid-term exams. At least
two of the remaining components (current assessments, independent work, and participation) are
selected by the teaching professor.
Courses without mid-term assessments: the mandatory component is the final examination. At
least two of the remaining components (current assessments, independent work, and
participation) are selected by the teaching professor.
Some of the courses are concluded via a check-up.
examination. At least one of the remaining components (current assessments, independent work,
and participation) is selected by the teaching professor.
Courses without a final assessment: mandatory components are two mid-term exams. At least
two of the remaining components (current assessments, independent work, and participation) are
selected by the teaching professor.
Courses without mid-term assessments: the mandatory component is the final examination. At
least two of the remaining components (current assessments, independent work, and
participation) are selected by the teaching professor.
Some of the courses are concluded via a check-up.
5. Graduates future career opportunities
Graduates of the Applied Microbiology program may work in organisations and enterprises
operating in the applied biology and biotechnology fields in the following positions:
Research Laboratories and Centers
· Research scientists
Biotechnological Production Laboratories and Enterprises
· Staff of research and production departments and groups
· Specialists and consultants in information and advisory departments
· Laboratory managers and specialists
Food and Pharmaceutical Industries
· Heads of microbiological laboratories
· Microbiologists in microbiological laboratories
· Specialists and consultants in information and advisory departments
Food Safety and Microbiological Monitoring Services
· Specialists and consultants
Alternative Energy Infrastructure
· Specialists and consultants
International Scientific, Technological, Environmental Monitoring and
Economic Development Organizations
· Specialists and consultants
Innovative or Scientific-Technological Organizations
· Engineers, specialists, and consultants in biological testing laboratories of technologies
Agro-processing and Agricultural Organizations
· Employees of information and advisory departments
Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports of the Republic of Armenia
· Teachers in colleges and secondary vocational institutions
Potential employers include the Chair of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Biotechnology of
Yerevan State University; Research Institute of Biology; YSU Microbial Biotechnologies and
Biofuel Innovation Center; relevant departments or research centers of RA; scientific and
research-production enterprises operating in applied microbiology, innovative technologies, and
related fields; and various innovation centers or organizations.
Some enterprises operating in the field of biology in the Republic of Armenia, and their areas of
activity include:
· Universities
o Relevant departments and research centers
· Research Institutes
o Relevant scientific and scientific-technological laboratories
· Food Production and Pharmaceutical Companies
o Relevant laboratories and services
· Innovation Centers
o Relevant laboratories or departments
Graduates may continue their studies at the Chair of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and
Biotechnology of YSU, as well as in postgraduate (PhD) programs.
operating in the applied biology and biotechnology fields in the following positions:
Research Laboratories and Centers
· Research scientists
Biotechnological Production Laboratories and Enterprises
· Staff of research and production departments and groups
· Specialists and consultants in information and advisory departments
· Laboratory managers and specialists
Food and Pharmaceutical Industries
· Heads of microbiological laboratories
· Microbiologists in microbiological laboratories
· Specialists and consultants in information and advisory departments
Food Safety and Microbiological Monitoring Services
· Specialists and consultants
Alternative Energy Infrastructure
· Specialists and consultants
International Scientific, Technological, Environmental Monitoring and
Economic Development Organizations
· Specialists and consultants
Innovative or Scientific-Technological Organizations
· Engineers, specialists, and consultants in biological testing laboratories of technologies
Agro-processing and Agricultural Organizations
· Employees of information and advisory departments
Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports of the Republic of Armenia
· Teachers in colleges and secondary vocational institutions
Potential employers include the Chair of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Biotechnology of
Yerevan State University; Research Institute of Biology; YSU Microbial Biotechnologies and
Biofuel Innovation Center; relevant departments or research centers of RA; scientific and
research-production enterprises operating in applied microbiology, innovative technologies, and
related fields; and various innovation centers or organizations.
Some enterprises operating in the field of biology in the Republic of Armenia, and their areas of
activity include:
· Universities
o Relevant departments and research centers
· Research Institutes
o Relevant scientific and scientific-technological laboratories
· Food Production and Pharmaceutical Companies
o Relevant laboratories and services
· Innovation Centers
o Relevant laboratories or departments
Graduates may continue their studies at the Chair of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and
Biotechnology of YSU, as well as in postgraduate (PhD) programs.
6. Resources and forms to support learning
· Laboratories equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and software tools;
· Distance learning and online lectures;
· Electronic resources.
· Distance learning and online lectures;
· Electronic resources.
7. Educational standards or programme benchmarks used for programme development
· Decision No. 714-N of the Government of the Republic of Armenia dated July 7, 2016,
on approving the Armenian National Qualifications Framework;
· Decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia dated November 30, 2021, on
approving the Sectoral Qualifications Framework for Biology;
· YSU Educational Program Development Guideline, 2012;
· YSU Guideline for Completing Educational Program Specifications, 2016.
on approving the Armenian National Qualifications Framework;
· Decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia dated November 30, 2021, on
approving the Sectoral Qualifications Framework for Biology;
· YSU Educational Program Development Guideline, 2012;
· YSU Guideline for Completing Educational Program Specifications, 2016.
8. Requirements for the academic staff
1. General Competencies
Teaching / Pedagogical
· Ability to develop course syllabi (calendar plans);
· Knowledge of interactive and innovative teaching methods and ability to apply active
learning techniques.
Research
· Skills in working with diverse scientific sources and online information resources;
· Ability to conduct research in biology and related fields;
· Ability to supervise student research groups.
Communication
· Oral communication skills;
· Ability to present research results in written form;
· Knowledge of a foreign language (English at least B1 level).
ICT Skills
· Computer literacy (proficient use of MS Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint);
· Skills in using modern social platforms;
· Ability to prepare and deliver presentations.
Other Competencies
· Knowledge of course design, formulation of learning outcomes, and selection of
appropriate teaching and assessment methods;
· Ability to effectively structure course materials (courses, information sheets, manuals,
etc.) and ensure student engagement;
· Time planning and management skills.
2. Professional Competencies and Knowledge by Fields
· Knowledge of fundamental principles and current developments in biology,
biochemistry, biotechnology, and related sciences;
· Professional knowledge of morphology, taxonomy, and identification of prokaryotes
(archaea and bacteria), as well as fungi, algae, lichens, and plants;
· Professional knowledge of modern theoretical issues of biophysical chemistry, problem-
solving logic, and implementation methods;
· Professional knowledge of current biotechnological challenges in ecology and
conservation and reproduction of biological resources;
· Professional knowledge of biotechnological production methods, directions, and key
issues of biotechnology development in Armenia;
· Professional knowledge of functional and biochemical characteristics of plant organisms,
metabolic pathway interconnections and regulation mechanisms, and application of plant
products in various industries;
· Knowledge of plant growth and development patterns and mechanisms of regulation
under various stress conditions;
· Knowledge of the main characteristics of living matter composition, structure,
physicochemical properties, regulatory mechanisms, and interrelationships;
· Knowledge of molecular foundations of biological oxidation processes and specifics of
carbohydrate and lipid metabolism;
· Professional knowledge of gene structure, genetic analysis, mutagenesis, gene and
cellular engineering principles, and their applications in biotechnology;
· Professional knowledge of microbial structural and functional features, metabolism and
regulation, heredity and variability, reproduction and growth, diversity and classification,
ecology, and microbial biotechnologies;
· Professional knowledge of microbial roles, pathogenic microorganisms, and viruses,
including their composition, structure, properties, classification, growth, and
pathogenicity;
· Professional knowledge of fermentation, respiration, photophysical and photochemical
processes, and chemosynthesis in microorganisms;
· Knowledge of nucleic acids, proteins, cellular genetic apparatus, and prokaryotic and
eukaryotic genomes;
· Knowledge of structural characteristics of biofilms and transport processes through
biofilms essential for cellular life;
· Professional knowledge of modern theoretical issues in bioenergetics, major bioenergetic
processes, and energy storage mechanisms;
· Knowledge of principles for selecting biotechnological methods, enzyme isolation and
purification, isolation of required microbial strains, and transformation of
microorganisms and plants;
· Knowledge of infectious processes, fundamentals of pathogenic microorganism
toxicology, disease-causing agents, mechanisms, and transmission pathways;
· Knowledge of microbial metabolism characteristics, major anabolic and catabolic
pathways in cells;
· Knowledge of experimental methods, laboratory safety rules, ability to plan experiments
and analyse results;
· Ability to work as a researcher in ongoing research projects in the field.
3. General Requirements
Academic Degree
· Academic degree in biological sciences, or in certain cases, a Master’s degree in the
given or a related specialization;
· At least three scientific and/or methodological publications in the last five years;
· At least three participations in conferences and/or workshops in the last five years.
Teaching Experience
· At least three years of experience in organizing and delivering professional courses;
· Participation in local or international training and/or professional development courses
within the last five years.
Practical Experience
· At least three years of professional experience in one of the biological science fields,
such as ecology and natural resource management, biochemistry, biotechnology,
microbiology, etc.
Other Requirements
· Teaching portfolio, including online materials for at least 50% of taught courses;
· Average student evaluation score of at least 4.0 (for teaching professors).
Teaching / Pedagogical
· Ability to develop course syllabi (calendar plans);
· Knowledge of interactive and innovative teaching methods and ability to apply active
learning techniques.
Research
· Skills in working with diverse scientific sources and online information resources;
· Ability to conduct research in biology and related fields;
· Ability to supervise student research groups.
Communication
· Oral communication skills;
· Ability to present research results in written form;
· Knowledge of a foreign language (English at least B1 level).
ICT Skills
· Computer literacy (proficient use of MS Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint);
· Skills in using modern social platforms;
· Ability to prepare and deliver presentations.
Other Competencies
· Knowledge of course design, formulation of learning outcomes, and selection of
appropriate teaching and assessment methods;
· Ability to effectively structure course materials (courses, information sheets, manuals,
etc.) and ensure student engagement;
· Time planning and management skills.
2. Professional Competencies and Knowledge by Fields
· Knowledge of fundamental principles and current developments in biology,
biochemistry, biotechnology, and related sciences;
· Professional knowledge of morphology, taxonomy, and identification of prokaryotes
(archaea and bacteria), as well as fungi, algae, lichens, and plants;
· Professional knowledge of modern theoretical issues of biophysical chemistry, problem-
solving logic, and implementation methods;
· Professional knowledge of current biotechnological challenges in ecology and
conservation and reproduction of biological resources;
· Professional knowledge of biotechnological production methods, directions, and key
issues of biotechnology development in Armenia;
· Professional knowledge of functional and biochemical characteristics of plant organisms,
metabolic pathway interconnections and regulation mechanisms, and application of plant
products in various industries;
· Knowledge of plant growth and development patterns and mechanisms of regulation
under various stress conditions;
· Knowledge of the main characteristics of living matter composition, structure,
physicochemical properties, regulatory mechanisms, and interrelationships;
· Knowledge of molecular foundations of biological oxidation processes and specifics of
carbohydrate and lipid metabolism;
· Professional knowledge of gene structure, genetic analysis, mutagenesis, gene and
cellular engineering principles, and their applications in biotechnology;
· Professional knowledge of microbial structural and functional features, metabolism and
regulation, heredity and variability, reproduction and growth, diversity and classification,
ecology, and microbial biotechnologies;
· Professional knowledge of microbial roles, pathogenic microorganisms, and viruses,
including their composition, structure, properties, classification, growth, and
pathogenicity;
· Professional knowledge of fermentation, respiration, photophysical and photochemical
processes, and chemosynthesis in microorganisms;
· Knowledge of nucleic acids, proteins, cellular genetic apparatus, and prokaryotic and
eukaryotic genomes;
· Knowledge of structural characteristics of biofilms and transport processes through
biofilms essential for cellular life;
· Professional knowledge of modern theoretical issues in bioenergetics, major bioenergetic
processes, and energy storage mechanisms;
· Knowledge of principles for selecting biotechnological methods, enzyme isolation and
purification, isolation of required microbial strains, and transformation of
microorganisms and plants;
· Knowledge of infectious processes, fundamentals of pathogenic microorganism
toxicology, disease-causing agents, mechanisms, and transmission pathways;
· Knowledge of microbial metabolism characteristics, major anabolic and catabolic
pathways in cells;
· Knowledge of experimental methods, laboratory safety rules, ability to plan experiments
and analyse results;
· Ability to work as a researcher in ongoing research projects in the field.
3. General Requirements
Academic Degree
· Academic degree in biological sciences, or in certain cases, a Master’s degree in the
given or a related specialization;
· At least three scientific and/or methodological publications in the last five years;
· At least three participations in conferences and/or workshops in the last five years.
Teaching Experience
· At least three years of experience in organizing and delivering professional courses;
· Participation in local or international training and/or professional development courses
within the last five years.
Practical Experience
· At least three years of professional experience in one of the biological science fields,
such as ecology and natural resource management, biochemistry, biotechnology,
microbiology, etc.
Other Requirements
· Teaching portfolio, including online materials for at least 50% of taught courses;
· Average student evaluation score of at least 4.0 (for teaching professors).
9. Additional information about the programme
· Master’s program in Biology/Microbiology at the Universities of Halle, Frankfurt, and
Konstanz (Germany);
· Master’s program in Microbiology at Lomonosov Moscow State University;
· Master’s program in Microbiology at the University of California, Berkeley (USA);
· Master’s program in Biology/Microbiology at Hanze University of Applied Sciences
(Netherlands);
· Master’s program in Biology/Microbiology at the University of Patras (Greece).
Konstanz (Germany);
· Master’s program in Microbiology at Lomonosov Moscow State University;
· Master’s program in Microbiology at the University of California, Berkeley (USA);
· Master’s program in Biology/Microbiology at Hanze University of Applied Sciences
(Netherlands);
· Master’s program in Biology/Microbiology at the University of Patras (Greece).
