Materials Science and Engineering
Materials Science and Engineering (M.Sc.)
Do you want to make the world a better place? Sustainability is not just a concept for you but a challenge you are eager to meet? You are passionate about environmental issues and the well-being of the Earth and all its inhabitants?
Then studying our English-language master degree program Materials Science and Engineering is exactly the right choice for you!
- Degree
- Master of Science
- Duration of studies in semester
- 4
- Start of degree program
- Summer semester, Winter semester
- Study location
- Erlangen
- Number of students
- 150-250
- Subject group
- Engineering sciences
- Special ways to study
- International degree program
- Teaching language
- completely in English
- Admission Requirements
- Qualification assessment
What is the degree program about?
Consciously or unconsciously, each of us deals with and surrounds ourselves every day with materials of various kinds. The chair we sit on is made of wood, plastic or metal. The walls are made of brick or concrete. The window is made of glass. Existing power cables made of plastic-coated metals. Appliances such as hi-fi systems, TVs, PCs, refrigerators, washing machines, etc. are made of a variety of components. The list could be continued indefinitely. There are close relationships between the composition of materials, their manufacture and their properties. An understanding of these interrelationships is taught in the study of materials science and materials engineering.
Master’s degree = deepen knowledge + broaden knowledge + learn scientific working methods
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At the beginning of their studies, students decide on three core subjects that can be selected from the nine specialist areas of materials science. This determines the subject-specific profile of the field of study and also ensures the breadth of the materials science education.
An extensive selection of supplementary electives allows for specialization and deepening of his or her professional competencies based on both the individual interests and future career plans of each student.
In order to round off the scientific profile, special emphasis is placed on the acquisition of soft skills and a confident approach to scientific project work in addition to the teaching of specialist knowledge.
The standard period of study for the Master’s degree program is four semesters. The number of ECTS credits required for successful completion is 120 ECTS credits.
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- General Materials Properties
- Materials Science and Engineering for Metals
- Glass and Ceramics
- Surface Science and Corrosion
- Polymer Materials
- Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology
- Biomaterials
- Materials Simulation
- Micro- and Nanostructure Research
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15 unbeatable reasons why choosing the master’s degree program Materials Science and Engineering at FAU is the best decision you will ever make:
Excellent student teacher ratio
The student teacher ratio is excellent. Small classes, many electives, and a large number of highly motivated scientists from all 9 chairs of the Department for Materials Science and Engineering ensure that you have the best individual support imaginable.
No tuition fee
German universities do not charge any kind of tuition. There is just a semester fee, which is made up of a contribution to Student Services and a general contribution towards the cost of the semester ticket.
Taught 100% in English
English is the language of instruction in all courses in the master’s degree program Materials Science and Engineering. You do not need to provide a German language certificate for your application. However, we strongly encourage you to build up your German skills once you are here.
Excellent research facilities
The nine chairs of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering have extensive and state-of-the-art technical equipment. Depending on you field if specialization you will have access to transmission electron microscopes, scanning electron microscopes, and an atom probe, to name but a few.
Wide selection of electives
So many choices …
With the master’s degree program Materials Science and Engineering you have the agony of choice: Five out of fourteen modules are electives. Here, you can choose your lecture freely from a pool within the Department of Materials Science and Engineering – and even from other departments of the School of Engineering.
Specialization
You do not only choose lectures in your elective modules.
First and foremost, you have the opportunity to specialize in 3 materials areas of your choice – entirely according to your taste. The areas correspond to the research focuses of the nine chairs at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.
Great international reputation
The Department of Materials Science and Engineering is an internationally renowned research institute. Moreover, several of our professors are among the highest cited researchers in their respective fields of expertise.
Best teachers
Your professors are among the best researchers in their respective research areas and have a high worldwide reputation.
Student jobs
It is fairly easy to get one of the student assistant jobs at one of the chairs: Your invaluable opportunity to not only earn some money but also to be closely involved in the chair’s research, hang out with fellow students, PhD students and scientific staff, and get to know the professors.
Interdisciplinarity
At FAU, you are always encouraged to look beyond the horizon and to think innovatively. Therefore, the master’s degree program Materials Science and Engineering gives you the opportunity to select electives from the entire School of Engineering, thus, broadening your scientific view.
Connections to other research facilities
Famous and big research facilities such as Fraunhofer, Helmholz and Max Planck Institutes are close by (sometimes even in the neighborhood) and thus allow for close collaborations.
Research
There are nine chairs at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and each of them is dedicated to another material class. Research within the chairs covers everything from water cleaning by means of magnetic nanoparticles to organic solar cells to bone tissue engineering. As a master student, you are part of a research team, right from the start, and work closely with other scientists.
Living in a beautiful and save environment
Erlangen is a medium sized town, where everything you need is within reach – by bus, by bike, or even in walking distance. It is a safe place to live – and living here is just a pleasure. Erlangen is a bustling student town with loads of parks and interesting old buildings – and nice places to enjoy the night life, as well. Also, the Franconian Swiss is just a busride away, if you prefer the great outdoors and like to go hiking or climbing.
Interculturality
Being a student town, Erlangen is by nature a intercultural place. About 15 % of the students in Erlangen come from a different country.
Global player industries
There is a huge variety of global player industries within the metropolitan region – that is, right around the corner. Siemens, Adidas, Schaeffler, Continental, Framatome,and many more.
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- Admission requirements (first semester)
- Qualification assessment
- Application deadline winter semester
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31.05.
- Application deadline summer semester
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15.01.
- Content-related admission requirements
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Prerequisite:
The prerequisite for admission to the master’s degree program is the possession of a recognized subject-specific Bachelor’s degree (Materials Science, Nanotechnology, Materials Engineering…). Applicants with subject-related or non-equivalent degrees may be admitted to the master’s degree program under certain conditions.
Degrees recognized as subject-related are, in particular, bachelor’s or diploma degrees in chemistry, physics, mechanical engineering, process engineering as well as in courses of study with a broad material science focus, if and to the extent that the following minimum knowledge was acquired in them:
- at least 10 ECTS credits in mathematics,
- at least 20 ECTS credits in physics and chemistry,
- at least 10 ECTS credits in lab work and IT, and
- at least 20 ECTS credits in fundamentals of materials science.
Requirements:
- An overall grade of the subject-specific or subject-related degree needs to be 2.50 (= good) or better or an average grade of 2.9 in the compulsory modules B9, B10 and B11 of the bachelor’s degree course “Materialwissenschaft und Werkstofftechnik” (MWT)
- If you are a FAU bachelor student of Materials Science or Nanotechnology you need to have achieved 140 ECTS in fully completed modules by the time of your application for admission.
- Proof of English language skills at the level of at least B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL) through sufficient school or university knowledge or suitable language certificates.
Language skills
- German language skills for international applicants
- No DSH, English (level B2, CEFR)
- General language skills
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Proof of English language skills at the level of at least B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL) through sufficient school or university knowledge or suitable language certificates. The proof can be provided in particular by:
- English lessons at school up to level B2 CEFR with certification to this effect in the school report or a corresponding certificate from the school,
- the successful Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with at least 85 points in the iBT, or
- the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) 5.0 or higher.
Do you need help or more information?
Our Student Advice and Career Service (IBZ) is the central point of contact for all questions about studying and starting a degree programme. Our Student Service Centres and subject advisors support you in planning your studies.