Materials Science

Curriculum

The Modul Scheme shows the curriculum of the Materials Science M.Sc. study program. The columns on the left-hand side indicate the semester (sem.) and the number of credits (LP (Leistungspunkte; in English: CP, credit points)) of the respective semester. Semesters I and III correspond to the winter semester, semesters II and IV to the summer semester.

If your university studies start in the summer semester, the order of the semesters will then be II, I, III, IV. Generally, the curriculum according to this scheme is not binding. For example, the modules (subject area shown in rectangles) listed in the scheme in the first semester can also be taken in study semester III. The individual modules comprise one or more courses (e.g. lectures, exercises, laboratory courses, and / or seminars) and are characterized by a subject area and a certain number of credits (1 CP corresponds to a workload of approx. 30 hours). Each module is completed by an examination.
To complete a module in a semester, you have to register for the corresponding module examination with the examination office via C@MPUS. Registration must take place within the registration period for the respective semester (summer semester or winter semester).

In case of questions, please contact the academic adivsor, Dr. Schacherl.

The curriculum of the master’s degree program consists of 4 areas:

1. Compulsory Materials Science (colour dark blue)
2. Compulsory Optional, Materials Science (specialization subject) (colour light gray)
3. Research training, compulsory but depending on  individual choice of thesis project (colour light blue)
4. Compulsory Optional, General Studies (optional courses) (colour dark gray)

1. Compulsory Materials Science (colour dark blue)

The area “Compulsory Materials Science” comprises the following modules:

• Synthesis and Properties of Inorganic Materials (lecture with exercises)
• Advanced Materials Science Laboratory (laboratory course)
• Atomic Transport and Phase Transformations (lecture with exercises)
• Polymer Materials Science (lecture and seminar)
• Advanced Science Seminar (seminar)

All modules in this area are an integral part of the curriculum and must be completed. The respective dates of the lectures and exercises can be found in the timetable.

Advanced Materials Science Laboratory (laboratory course)
The module “Advanced Materials Science Laboratory” is a practical laboratory course and is offered every year in the winter semester. Registration is required to attend this laboratory course. Information about the laboratory course and the registration process can be found on the website “Teaching / Courses” of the Institute of Materials Science as well as on the bulletin board in front of lecture hall 2R4 (3 Heisenbergstrasse). The registration period usually starts at the beginning of October.

Advanced Science Seminar (seminar)
The Advanced Science Seminar module usually takes place in the winter semester, but occasionally it is offered in the summer semester as well. Seminar topics will be announced on the bulletin board (in front of lecture hall 2R4, 3 Heisenbergstrasse) and on the institute’s website under "Lectures". The topics are selected by lecturers from the field of materials science. To attend the seminar, students must register for a topic. This is done directly with the lecturer offering the seminar (contact information can be found together with the announcements). Seminar topics will be announced 2-4 weeks before the start of the lecture period.

2. Compulsory Optional, Materials Science (specialization subject) (light gray)

The area “Compulsory Optional, Materials Science” is a “module container” with 30 CP and allows students to choose 2 out of 8 specialization subjects (see the list below). There is a list of modules to choose from for each specialization subject (see the section “Specialization subject” in the C@MPUS syllabus). The module container is filled with modules from the two selected specialization subjects.
The majority of the eligible modules are offered in English, but please note that some options are only available in German. This is the case for the entire specialization subject “Plastics Engineering”. All modules in this area of specialization are offered exclusively in German. The same applies to some modules in other specialization subjects. The German-language modules are given in the following list of specialization subjects.

• Plastics Engineering
  All modules are in German only
• Advanced Materials Characterization
  The module "Physical Chemistry III" (Physikalische Chemie III) is taught in German
• Functional Materials
  The module "Semiconductor Physics" is taught in German.
• Inorganic Chemistry
  Some modules are offered in German (check with the lecturer before making a choice)
• Materials Theory and Simulation
  The modules "Computer-Based Materials Science"  (Computergestützte Materialwissenschaft) and "Methods of Material Simulation" (Methoden der Werkstoffsimulation) are offered in German.
• Metals and Structural Materials
  The modules "Materials and Strength" (Werkstoffe und Festigkeit), "Fundamentals of Ceramics and Composite Materials" (Grundlagen der Keramik und Verbundwerkstoffe), "Material Properties" (Werkstoffeigenschaften), and "Materials and Production Technology of Technical Carbons" (Werkstoffe und Fertigungstechnik technischer Kohlenstoffe) are offered in German.
• Nanomaterials and Nanostructures
• Soft Matter and Biomaterials

How to choose your specialization subjects:

1. Choose 2 specialization subjects from the list above.
2. From the modules lists of the specialization subjects (see the Campus syllabus), select modules totaling 30 CP. For each specialization subject, you can select modules totaling 12, 15, or 18 CP. Accordingly, the credits can be allocated to the specialization subjects as follows:

The subjects “Inorganic Materials Chemistry” and “Metals and Structural Materials“ are divided into compulsory modules and optional modules. This means that you must choose at least one compulsory module in each case. The other modules can then be freely selected from both areas.

3. Research training, compulsory but depending on individual choice of thesis project (light blue)

This area comprises the modules "Practical Skills and Project Planning" and "Master’s Thesis in Materials Science (master’s thesis)".

The module "Practical Skills and Project Planning" comprises 15 CP ( (corresponding to a half semester) and is intended as preparation for the master's thesis. During the preparatory phase, the current standard of knowledge of the master's thesis topic as well as a structuring (e.g. experiment plan) is to be worked out through literature research. At the end of the module there will be an examination in the form of a poster presentation. The supervisor and examiner will be the same person as for the master’s thesis (main reviewer).

The module "Master’s Thesis in Materials Science (master’s thesis)" comprises 30 CP and includes the completion of the master’s thesis. The module is completed with the submission of the master’s thesis. The module comprises 30 CP. The maximum duration of the master’s thesis is twelve months, where the equivalent of 30 credits would correspond to a duration of 6 months of full-time study.

The master's thesis will be evaluated by 2 examiners (main reviewer and co-reviewer). According to the exam regulations, the following persons are usually eligible as an examiner: From the institutes: Institute of Materials Science and Institute of Polymer Chemistry: Prof. Bill, Prof. Buchmeiser, Prof. Ludwigs, Dr. Zotov, Prof. Schmitz.
In addition, all those responsible for the modules in the specialization subject area (with the authority to conduct examinations) can offer master's theses.

4. Compulsory Optional, General Studies (optional courses) (dark gray)

The area “Compulsory Optional, General Studies“ is a “module container” with 9 CP. The module container is filled with modules listed under “Compulsory optional modules“ (see Curriculum of the Materials Science M.Sc. study program).

New modules can be added to the existing elective modules at any time via the examination committee (contact Dr. Ralf Schacherl).