Applied Materials Science University of Applied Sciences Jena

Advanced materials, such as energy materials, metals, polymers, and functional ceramics, are essential to today's society.

This Master's programme emphasises the structure, synthesis, modelling, and characterisation of advanced materials such as ceramics, filled polymers, composites, thin films, metals, and nanomaterials.

The first semester's compulsory materials science courses cover fundamental topics such as advanced material characterisation, polymer physics, physical metallurgy, and ceramics fundamentals. Semesters two and three cover courses with more specific materials topics. The fourth semester is dedicated to conducting research for the Master's thesis at a company, research institute, or in our labs.

Compulsory courses:

First semester:

• Advanced Materials Characterisation I
• Polymer Physics and Modern Polymer Applications
• Physical Metallurgy I
• Fundamentals of Ceramics

Second semester:

• Advanced Materials Characterisation II
• Physical Metallurgy II
• Advanced Polymer Processing

Third semester:

• Nanotechnology
• Computational Materials Science
• Composite Materials
• Ceramics Technology

Fourth semester:

• Master's thesis 

Elective courses in materials science must be completed before starting the Master's thesis. Topics include:

• Modelling and Simulation
• Advanced 3D Design
• Failure Analysis
• Processes of Micro- and Nanotechnology
• Precision Instrumentation
• Materials for Sensors and Electronics
• Sustainability for Materials Scientists

Elective courses in general studies, i.e. elective courses not related to materials science, must also be completed before starting the Master's thesis. Topics include:

• German as a Foreign Language
• Intercultural Business Communication
• Intercultural Training
• Business Administration

The curriculum is modular. According to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), credit points are granted for every successfully completed module. Each module contains a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, and laboratory work, depending on the requirements of the topic.

Students and professors interact closely. Nearly all modules include laboratory work. Students, usually working in groups of two or three, conduct experiments in well-equipped laboratories, developing practical skills and deepening their theoretical knowledge.

The fourth semester is dedicated to working on the Master's thesis, which involves carrying out a research or high-tech development project. Students can conduct the research for the project and the Master's thesis in our labs, at one of our partner universities, at a research centre, or at an industry research department. This work is supervised jointly by the respective institution and a professor from our university.

Students must have completed an undergraduate university degree programme in Materials Science or Materials Engineering. Graduates of other science courses may also fulfil the entry requirements. Good performance in the undergraduate programme is required.

The semester contribution amounts to 317.05 EUR per semester. The enrolment fee includes free public transport in Germany (Deutschlandticket).

Living expenses depend very much on individual lifestyle. On average, a total amount of 934 EUR per month should be sufficient to cover all expenses. The total amount should cover accommodation, health insurance, food, transport, a monthly fraction of the semester contribution and miscellaneous expenses.

In year one, we recommend students to focus on the course. It is possible to work on the weekends and during the lecture-free periods. Master's students who perform their research internship (semester three) and Master's thesis (semester four) in industry or at a research institute frequently receive some payment.

Our International Career Service provides support in preparing application documents and gives job advice, organises field trips and conducts several workshops and events to understand German and European job culture. We are focused on the good integration of our graduates into the German labour market. We support various extracurricular language workshops, intercultural workshops, job application trainings as well as several company visits. All of these offers are free of charge and funded by the DAAD.

Student halls of residence ("Wohnanlagen") are operated by the ''Studierendenwerk Thüringen''. The ''Studierendenwerk'' is a non-profit organisation that provides various services to students.
Depending on size and standard of the accommodation, monthly rents for a room can vary from 140 to 380 EUR.