Guide to the Course of Studies in Materials Science Master of Science Degree

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1 Guide to the Course of Studies in Materials Science Master of Science Degree The following information is designed to serve as a guide to the effective organisation of course studies. Legally binding regulations are provided in the General Examination Regulations Allgemeine Prüfungsbestimmungen der the TU Darmstadt (APB) as well as in the corresponding implementation regulations Ausführungsbestimmungen (AB) applicable to the M.Sc. degree programme in Materials Science. 1. Course aims The Master degree programme in Materials Science is research-based and builds on the competencies and skills acquired throughout a Bachelor degree course in Materials Science. B.Sc. graduates possess demonstrable study skills, basic grounding in both mathematics and sciences as well as a sound knowledge of the fundamentals of materials science, as taught during the B.Sc. degree course at the TU Darmstadt. The consecutive M.Sc. programme aims to enrich skills in materials science and qualify students to pursue a scientific career in all relevant fields. Objectives of the M.Sc. degree programme Develop the ability to study the subject in a broader context and establish an association between newly acquired knowledge and prior knowledge. Encourage students to adopt a creative approach to developing materials, products, processes or methods in an entirely new design or context. Train students to independently solve practical problems by applying research-based or scientific methods. Foster the ability and sovereignty to scrutinise assertions related to materials science and to confidently argue one s own standpoint in front of professional peers and non-professionals. Foster the aptitude to present a written or oral account of scientific results in an accurate and coherent manner. Develop the skill to structure complex problems taking into account criteria relevant to materials science, materials engineering and ecology. This also includes economic issues specific to materials, e.g. manufacturing costs subject to the availability of raw materials and technology. Foster the ability to work with other disciplines, i.e. to tackle problems posed by other disciplines while recognising which scientific approach to adopt in order to solve the problem. This particularly applies to the inextricably interwoven nature of materials science and materials engineering. Pinpoint the social challenges and social consequences of a materials scientist s work while encouraging students to adopt a responsible attitude. Develop the capacity to set realistic yet demanding goals attainable within a reasonable time frame and involving reflection upon both the results and the respective approach. 1

2 2. Course profile Career prospects The M.Sc. programme in Materials Science at the TU Darmstadt aims to provide students with a science-oriented education in an interdisciplinary field. The course language is English. Currently, this course of studies offers a constantly expanding spectrum of prospects. The M.Sc. degree lays the foundation for doctoral studies with strong emphasis on research in a materials science subject at an international university. Materials science constitutes a key science of the 21 st century, increasingly opening up prospects for graduates contemplating a career in industrial or applied research. It is also worth highlighting the close proximity of the TU Darmstadt to industries located in the Rhine-Main area ( Materials Valley ). Further fields of activity for materials science graduates are professions requiring the capacity for logical and analytical thinking on a scientific level. There is a wide range of possible career fields, including personnel management, software and finance. With English as the teaching and everyday language of the course, graduates are equipped with a further asset on the international job market. Furthermore, it is easier to attract international students to a university with English as the teaching language. Consequently, students are integrated into an international environment at an early stage and learn how to use the English language in scientific terms. Focus of studies The consecutive M.Sc. programme in Materials Science is committed to the principle of a broadly based education. Successful graduates of the M.Sc. Materials Science acquire diverse subject knowledge as well as the ability to independently deal with novel issues in research and industry. Students also personally select their own major field of study. Therefore, an important feature of the course is the option to individually choose elective courses to be studied in greater depth. This can be a clearly defined subject area such as energy materials, nanotechnology or new electronic materials. There is also the option of a methodical subject area such as synchrotron measurements or materials modelling and theory. Within the elective subject area it is also possible to focus on subjects offered by other faculties at the TU Darmstadt, such as plastics technology, materials testing or biomaterials. Hence, the option of cross-faculty electives at the TU Darmstadt gives students the possibility to pursue an interdisciplinary course of studies. Study abroad The third semester includes a so-called breaking point in the study schedule, allowing students to study abroad. Students are strongly recommended to take this opportunity to attend elective courses and lab practicals held at a foreign university or research institute, thus integrating these courses into their own study programme. There is also the possibility of attending relevant courses held in Germanspeaking countries. The scheduled study period abroad together with English as the working language is intended to enrich the internationality expected of science today. In addition, study abroad gives students the ideal opportunity to significantly broaden their horizon. On the strength of the intercultural competencies alongside the improved proficiency of a foreign language acquired abroad, 2

3 students gain a clear profile. The success of study abroad also essentially depends on the personal commitment of the students. Research-based lab practicals A further feature of the M.Sc. programme in Materials Science is the constantly increasing proportion of research-based lab practicals leading up to the Master thesis. These lab courses are conducted in the respective faculty research group, directly involving students in research of state-of-the-art materials science from an early stage. Due to the great importance attached to the practicals, successful students are well-equipped for any type of scientific or applied research. Alumni network The faculty encourages M.Sc. graduates of Materials Science to join the alumni network, which provides a social and professional platform for post-graduates to maintain personal contacts and discover new career prospects. General competencies The following course features promote a team-oriented and performance-related approach to work, a requirement for all graduates wishing to stand their ground in the face of today s globally competitive work environment: Strong interdisciplinary character of the study programme Training in learning groups Group mentoring English as the course language Direct involvement in existing research groups 3. Admission requirements and general conditions General requirements As a rule the fundamental-oriented and research-based M.Sc. programme in Materials Science is a consecutive course of studies requiring a fundamental-oriented and research-based B.Sc. degree in Materials Science including a 3-month Bachelor thesis. The necessary scope of knowledge and competencies in the field of materials science, chemistry, physics and mathematics corresponds to the level attained upon completion of a B.Sc. programme in Materials Science at the TU Darmstadt. Entrance examination Due to the strong interdisciplinary character of the M.Sc. programme in Materials Science, graduates of various B.Sc. degree courses are in a position to progress to M.Sc. studies in Materials Science. Typically, the B.Sc. degree is either in materials science, physics or chemistry. However, B.Sc. graduates of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and civil engineering also have the 3

4 opportunity to study upon verification by the Master Examination Board. In order to ensure a smooth transition, in the first semester an adjustment lecture can be included in the study plan in order to fulfil the entry requirements. Students who do not require an adjustment lecture can choose an additional elective subject instead. Since various B.Sc. courses in Materials Science can be structured very differently, in all cases an entrance examination is set by the Master Examination Board. In some cases students may also be required to choose an adjustment lecture in order to reach the necessary entry level. In other cases an oral examination may be deemed necessary in order to assess the applicant s capacity to undertake studies as well as the student s prospect of achieving a Master degree within the set time frame. A good command of the English language is a further admission requirement (language certificate at UNIcert-Level III in English or equivalent, e.g. TOEFL test (paper 570, cb 230, ibt 88), IELTS 6.5, CAE (Grade C1), or TOEIC 792). External industrial/research placement A further requirement is at least a 6-week industrial or research placement in the field of materials science. Acceptance will be granted upon application of the student. Proof of this placement including a corresponding report must be submitted to the Examination Board before commencing the Master thesis. B.Sc. graduates of Materials Science at the TU Darmstadt already having received acceptance of their placement do not have to complete an additional one. This rule also applies to comparable industrial placements of other applicants. 4. Teaching and learning modes Although the course provides ample scope for knowledge transfer, activating and open-outcome teaching methods play a more significant role compared to the B.Sc. programme. In the narrow sense, these teaching modes comprise the Master thesis, the research lab, and the advanced research lab. These courses are conducted in the respective research group and are designed to serve as an incitement and guideline for students to acquire specialised knowledge and skills autonomously. For this purpose libraries and learning centres are available. In addition, students are invited to seek individual advice from the professors and scientific staff. Courses such as group tutorials, seminars and practicals specifically aim at fostering discussion skills in English as well as the ability to work in a team. With regard to quality assurance, every semester the faculty conducts an evaluation of the courses in accordance with the generally accepted standards and in cooperation with representatives from the student council. The types of courses offered in the M.Sc. programme in Materials Science have evolved over many years and continue to be developed by drawing on the practical experience gained. Lectures are designed to coherently impart both fundamental and specialised scientific knowledge as well as methodical knowledge; reference is also made to special techniques and further literature. Tutorials complement the lectures. They aim to give students the opportunity to monitor their own level of knowledge and apply the subject matter in greater depth by independently 4

5 tackling exemplary problems. The objective is to conduct the tutorials in small groups, giving students the opportunity to gain experience in group discussions. Lectures and tutorials can also be complemented by practical components and enhanced by applying new teaching methods. Seminars are designed to deal with complex issues and scientific findings. These courses primarily focus on dealing with mainly new problems by applying scientific methods. Presentation techniques are also learned by active participation in alternating lecture and discussion sessions. Students autonomously prepare detailed talks, present the findings and go into the subject matter in more depth during the ensuing discussion. Practicals take place in the respective research group. First of all there is an introduction to the fundamentals of state-of-the-art research methods, which are subsequently dealt with in greater depth. Students autonomously conduct scientific experiments with an open outcome. This entails planning, preparing, conducting and interpreting limited experiments. Practicals are classed as an activating teaching method, generating a high level of motivation. The Materials Science study programme at the TU Darmstadt includes a particularly high proportion of directly activating learning methods due to the high number of practicals. In addition, it is worth highlighting the research lab practicals and advanced lab practicals conducted as openoutcome projects within an interdisciplinary and mainly international research team actually working on existing research projects in the group. E-Learning is offered to effectively complement on-site teaching. Lecture material and lecture scripts are digitally available for all courses. In certain elective subjects lectures from other universities are transmitted via a video system (e.g. in the field of electromobility). The video system enables online interaction with the lecturers. In the Master thesis, acquired knowledge and skills are applied to a specific problem of a scientific issue. Given the experience gained through practicals, in particular the advanced research lab course, students are in a position to deal with the problem posed in the Master thesis within the limited time available. In the Master thesis the student deals with a research project by tackling problems, finding possible solutions and understanding the limitations of the findings. The results are outlined in a coherent account, presented in a talk and defended. An integral part of the research phase entails the attendance of group seminars offered by all research groups on a regular basis. The grade of the Master thesis is determined upon evaluation by two experts. 5. Organisation of studies It is recommended to take up studies in the winter semester. However, it is also possible to start in the summer semester. The standard duration of study is 4 semesters. 5

6 The compulsory courses without practicals constitute approx % of the study programme (29-35 CPs). Advanced fundamentals are provided for the successful accomplishment of the Master thesis. The adjustment lecture constitutes 5% of the study programme (6CPs). It serves to homogenise the level of education of students from different B.Sc. courses. Practicals constitute about 20% of the course, whereby 8 CPs must be achieved in the compulsory courses (advanced and research lab = compulsory courses) and 15 CPs in the advanced research lab The elective courses in Materials Science constitute 20-25% of the study programme. With the possibility to freely choose the research-based practical and the Master thesis, this component can cover over 60% of the study programme. One essential fundamental feature of the course is the option given to students to focus on self-set major fields of study. The mentoring system provides expert advice in this respect. Students must have their study plan of this field approved by the Master Examination Board. A corresponding list of possible subject combinations is accessible to students. However, great importance is attached to students autonomously choosing their own major fields of study. Depending on the subject area, modules from the interdisciplinary major fields of study can be allocated to elective courses in either materials science or soft skill courses. The elective and soft skill courses constitute 7.5% of the study programme (9CPs). A study plan must be submitted to the Master Examination Board. A corresponding list of possible subject combinations is accessible to students. However, great importance is attached to students autonomously choosing their own major fields of study. 6. Course content The course content can be found in the list of courses offered by the faculty or the corresponding faculty of the TU Darmstadt or by a national or foreign university. All relevant information is documented in the corresponding module catalogues available online at the TU Darmstadt. With respect to elective courses, it is also possible to choose courses held in German. 7. Performance requirements and examinations Credit points already awarded in the general examination of a B.Sc. programme cannot be taken into account. Depending on the course, the achievement of the module s goals is assessed and recorded by means of course achievement and examinations in individual subjects. As a rule examinations should be scheduled to take place 2 weeks before or 4 weeks after the end of the course. The examiner sets the examination date upon consultation with the students. The study and examination plan states which modules are to be completed by course achievement and which modules are to be completed by passing examinations. The type of examination is also specified. The credit points of a module are 6

7 awarded after passing all relevant examinations and/or fulfilling course achievement. The examiner can take into account good achievement in tutorials or other courses by increasing the value of the grade up to the maximum value stipulated in the General Examination Regulations (APB). For the elective courses in Materials Science, a joint examination of two or three elective lecture courses is set by two professors representing the respective research groups. Examinations set by other faculties take place in accordance with the regulations applicable to the respective faculty or field of study. 8. Mentoring system Students are supervised within a mentoring system, whereby every student can choose a professor in the faculty as a mentor. Overall, every professor should supervise about the same number of mentees. In particular, advice is given to effectively choose the major fields of study. In addition, the faculty provides a student advisory service. 7