Qualification Profile (Regl. 2023)
The Master’s degree programme in Materials Science and Engineering builds on the solid foundation acquired at the BSc level to bring students to the cutting edge of the Materials field. Students develop theoretical and experimental skills that deepen their understanding in foundational topics and broaden their knowledge in materials-related areas. They learn to apply their understanding creatively and critically through open- ended interdisciplinary engineering and scientific projects aimed at understanding the design and processing of materials needed to address major societal issues. Programme graduates may work in industrial or academic research and development positions in the broad range of materials-related areas, but also in management and consulting.
Domain-specific knowledge and understanding
Graduates with a Master’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering are able to
- apply their multi-scale understanding of materials (interaction of composition, processing, microstructure, structure, properties and performance) as well as their comprehensive and comparative specialist knowledge regarding the characteristics of the various classes of materials to tackle complex technological and scientific challenges;
- explain and apply advanced concepts in materials synthesis, characterisation, processing and modelling including the respective theoretical and technical backgrounds;
- draw on the knowledge base of scientific and other disciplines to develop, implement and evaluate holistic materials science and engineering solutions.
Analytical and development skills
Graduates with a Master’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering are able to
- gather data on materials systematically and independently using a variety of methods; process and analyse complex datasets using quantitative methods; and create models based on their analysis;
- critically analyse scientific literature and independently design and conduct complex experiments;
- select or design materials for specific functions and develop creative solutions to open-ended materials science and engineering problems within the societal, environmental and economic context.
Personal and social competences
Graduates with a Master’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering are able to
- express their ideas and findings related to complex topics clearly and intelligibly, both orally and in writing, for a specialist, an interdisciplinary and a lay audience;
- work cooperatively and take on responsibility in interdisciplinary research teams, as well as plan and conduct their own independent scientific work;
- follow current developments in materials science independently and apply them in solutions to problems.