© Felix Noak
Material Science and Engineering, M.Sc.
Program overview
The consecutive master’s program in Material Science and Engineering provides you with an in-depth understanding of the basic principles off material science as well as specialist knowledge and a firm grasp of scientific investigation procedures in the field of composite materials. You can choose one of two specializations to attain an individual specialized qualification profile: either special process technologies of materials and material aspects of construction, which allows you to define your professional orientation, or different material groups, in which you gain material-specific skills. Here you can choose from structural materials, functional materials, biomaterials, and the classes of materials metals, ceramics, and polymers.
| Degree | Master of Science |
|---|---|
| Standard period of study | 4 semesters |
| Credit points | 120 |
| Program start | Summer and winter semester |
| Admission | Open admission |
| Language of instruction | German |
Admission requirements
As for every other master’s degree program at TU Berlin, applicants to the Material Science and Engineering master’s program must possess a first university degree qualifying them for professional work. Applicants to the consecutive master’s program must possess a first university degree in material science and engineering or a related field qualifying them for professional work. The responsible examination board will decide whether the content of the related bachelor’s degree qualifies the applicant for the master’s program.
The Material Science and Engineering master’s program is taught in German. If you are applying with a foreign school-leaving certificate, you must provide proof of German skills at a specific level. This is a prerequisite for admission.
Knowledge of English is useful as some courses/modules are offered in English. However, it is not a condition for admission to studies.
It is advantageous for students to be flexible, creative, and self-reliant as independent problem analysis, abstraction, and an integrative-transdisciplinary approach are required.
Program structure
There is a proposed course schedule for the degree program. This is a recommendation for how to complete the degree program within the standard period of study of four semesters. It provides an example of which modules to take in which semesters. While this proposed course schedule is ideal on paper, it is not mandatory. It’s simply an example of how to successfully schedule and shape your studies. The curriculum is taught through a mix of integrated courses, seminars, and labs. By completing the master's thesis independently, you demonstrate your ability to conduct scientific work.
You can find the proposed course schedule in the study and examination regulations of the study program. The most current version of the regulations applies to applicants.
Study and examination regulations:
Content and modules
The master’s degree program in Material Science and Engineering is modular in design. A module combines curriculum content relating to a specific topic. Modules often include a variety of different study and teaching formats such as lectures, practical tutorials, seminars, and practical projects. Students are required to earn a specific number of credit points and complete certain coursework and assessments in each module.
A current overview of all compulsory and freely elective modules of the Material Science and Engineering master’s program can be found in the course catalogue in TU Berlin’s module database, the module transfer system (MTS). The MTS also includes detailed module descriptions providing information about the content, learning objectives, participation requirements, workload, type of assessment, and much more. The module catalogue is based on the study and exam regulations.
Internships
An internship is a compulsory component of the Material Science and Engineering master's program curriculum. The internship must last at least 6 weeks. Students are to submit proof of having completed the internship before registering for their final exam in the program. During the internship you learn about work in industry and technology from an engineering perspective. This provides an opportunity for you to apply the knowledge and method skills you have acquired in your studies to an industrial environment. The internship is intended to provide you with professional orientation, offering you insight into how you might wish to specialize and advance your knowledge. In the process you are to work in several of the following areas:
• Planning, project management
• Design, construction,
• Research, development
• Preparation, execution, and evaluation of trials
• Materials technology
• Property evaluation, maintenance, optimization
• Scheduling, operations planning, operational logistics
• Modeling, simulation, automation engineering
• Application technology
• Quality assurance
• Analysis of operational processes
Further information is available in the program’s internship regulations.
Stays abroad
You can generally complete parts of the program abroad, either in the form of study abroad or internships. General information regarding stays abroad can be obtained from the TU Berlin International Office (study abroad) and from the Career Service (internships abroad).
Acquired skills
As a graduate of the master’s program in Material Science and Engineering, you possess both a thorough technical knowledge of material science as well as specialized knowledge and skills in the specialization of your choosing. You are able to investigate and assess the effects of a building component on the environment - from its raw material stage till it is recycled. You are also able to apply an interdisciplinary approach when developing new materials and manufacturing processes. Your skills range from determining parameters for technical applications, assessing material behavior, and improving processes and products to contributing to materials development, preparations, implementation, and production control in operations. You are capable of independently analyzing and solving complex scientific problems. Additionally, you have qualifications that extend beyond your own discipline, such as knowledge of quality assurance, project and cost management, and safety aspects.
After your studies
Typical career fields include development and production departments in businesses that manufacture, process, or use materials, components, modules, and systems, as well as engineering offices and university and non-university research institutions. Additionally, material engineers work on a broad range of tasks in nearly all industrial branches of basic and application-oriented research.
Your master’s degree further qualifies you to pursue doctoral studies culminating in either a Dr.-Ing. or Dr. rer. nat. degree.
Further information & downloads
Guidance and choosing the right degree program: Academic Advising Service
Questions about the degree program: Course Guidance
General questions: Student Info Services
Application and enrollment: Office of Student Affairs - Graduate Admissions
Recognition of previously acquired credits: Examination Board