Science and Technology of Materials M. Sc.
Innovations in science, technology and medicine, including their translation into industrial applications, call for novel materials whose performance capabilities require unprecedented material concepts. To address these challenges, synergies between different scientific and technical subject cultures are increasingly coming into play. The MSc degree course in Science and Technology of Materials is an interdisciplinary joint study offered by the University of Salzburg (PLUS) and the Technical University of Munich (TUM).
The programme is interdisciplinary and focuses on the production, characterisation and knowledge-based further development of structural and functional materials in the laboratory and in nature. The importance of material cycles and resource efficiencies will also be taught, as well as approaches to solving the resulting scientific and engineering challenges. The degree programme provides an insight into the current methods of material production and material characterisation and introduces a broad spectrum of technical application possibilities.
What you'll learn for your future?
At TUM, the materials are further treated with regard to their use in a technical application. In particular, the materials are to be analysed with regard to their stability under operating conditions as a function of various operating modes (e.g. pressure, temperature, fields, humidity). This is supplemented by the life cycle analysis of the material under different operating conditions. The students also expand their knowledge of the application fields and associated trends of various materials.
From a technical point of view, knowledge in the disciplines of chemistry, physics and materials science is initially expanded to master's level. Furthermore, knowledge in materials engineering and mineral or biogenic materials is expanded. Building on this, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering offers a range of basic (e.g. process engineering/thermodynamics) and production-oriented (e.g. manufacturing technologies) modules as the technical, application-oriented engineering component of the degree.
The teaching forms and content used give students the (advanced) ability to independently develop complementary methods and contexts. This applies in particular to strongly interdisciplinary engineering tasks and applications with innovative use of materials. The acquired interdisciplinary skills and the methodology of multi-scale observation, scaling and assessment of a material result in a unique, cross-sector and cross-disciplinary competence profile. In addition to the pure methodological penetration of individual subject/module content, various aspects of the "major" future fields of society such as energy, safety, climate protection and resource management can also be linked.
Type of Study: Full Time
Standard Duration of Studies: 4 Semester
Credits: 120 ECTS
Main Locations: Garching, Straubing
Admission Category: Aptitude Assessment for Master
Start of Degree Program: Summer and Winter Semester
Application Period: Winter semester: until 15.05. and Summer semester: until 15.10.
Required Language Proficiency: English and German
Tuition Fees: for Students from Non-EU Countries
Graduates of the degree programme possess the following professional competences: They are able to produce a desired material (a desired product) with defined properties. In doing so, they apply state-of-the-art analytical methods, which enable them to understand and optimise the structure-property relationships of the materials in connection with the process parameters in their production. The latter enables them to record and evaluate the performance of a material with regard to its application profile in order to be able to use it consequently, economically and sustainably. Furthermore, the students are enabled to develop a novel material design that follows the principle of "reduce, reuse and recycle".
The students are familiar with state-of-the-art methods of manufacturing, processing and characterising structural and functional materials, know current areas of application and trends and can conduct both basic and applied research in these areas. This enables them to work independently in a scientific manner and to develop material- and process-related innovative solutions to problems for sustainable developments. In particular, they have a good overview of current natural science and engineering research methods and are able to develop research strategies for basic and application-oriented scientific projects and carry them out independently.
Graduates of the joint-degree Master's programme Science and Technology of Materials are able to analytically describe complex technical-physical-chemical processes and systems and to identify determining mechanisms of action. Using the methods and concepts taught, they are able to define material and process-relevant problems in a subject-specific manner and formulate questions based on them. Accordingly, they are able to develop relevant approaches to solutions.
Compulsory modules at the PLUS:
- Chemistry of Materials
- Physics of Materials
- Materials Characterization
Optional modules at the PLUS:
- Interface Science & Engineering
- Natural Materials & Environment
Examples for focus modules at the TUM:
- Material Knowledge
- Industry Orientation
- Regenerative Raw Materials
- Biomaterials, Biotechnology and Bioprocesses
Students of the Joint-Degree Master's programme Science and Technology of Materials are obliged to complete at least one semester at the TUM.
In addition, the students have the opportunity to complete a semester abroad at another foreign university. The recognition of courses completed during the study abroad is carried out by the competent body responsible for study law.
Students have the possibility to have a job-oriented practical training within the framework of the free elective subjects credited for up to 4 weeks in terms of full employment (this corresponds to a maximum of 6 ECTS credits). The practical training must have a meaningful connection to the degree programme and must be approved by the competent governing body responsible for study matters prior to commencement of the practical training. A practical experience certificate is required for the recognition of this achievement, which must contain the following points: Place and office of the institution or company where the practical experience was completed, duration of the practical experience, brief description of the activities carried out and an assessment in words by the responsible supervisor.
The following qualifications, among others, can be acquired within the scope of the job-oriented practical training:
Application of the acquired subject-specific competences in a professional context
Getting to know application scenarios of subject-specific concepts
Acquisition of soft skills (e.g. teamwork, communication skills, planning skills) in a professional context.
Administration of this degree course will be the responsibility of Paris Lodron University in Salzburg (PLUS). Detailed information on the application and admission can be found on the webseite of the Paris-Lodron Universität Salzburg.
The procedure for the examination of eligibility is carried out every six months by a joint committee of Paris Lodron University and the Technical University of Munich (Contact Committee) at Paris Lodron University in Salzburg.
Applications for admission to the procedure must be submitted to Paris Lodron University by 31 May up to and including for the winter semester in the application procedure and by 31 December for the summer semester.
The prerequisite for admission to the joint-degree Master's programme Science and Technology of Materials is the completion of a relevant Bachelor's programme, a Bachelor's programme at a university of applied sciences or another equivalent programme at a recognised domestic or foreign post-secondary educational institution and the successful completion of the aptitude test.