Master of Science in Sustainable Materials – Polymer Sciences Binational University of Freiburg

Polymer science – a key discipline enabling innovations in sustainable development

Sustainable polymeric materials and system-integrated functional polymers play a key role in modern life and economy. Progress in polymer sciences is important for the following:

• Creating advanced materials for sustainable developments
• Enabling high resource and energy efficiency
• Protecting climate, environment and human health
• Rendering high-tech products available to everybody

In contrast to conventional materials, polymers combine:

• Low carbon footprint with attractive eco-balance
• Tailored property profiles with facile processing
• High cost efficiency with high versatility
• Low weight with high durability and recycling
• Multifunctionality with facile system integration

The focus is placed upon the development of advanced polymeric materials and systems. Selected examples include:

• Bio-based materials for lightweight engineering and biomedicine
• Adaptive ("smart") materials and systems responding to their environment
• Energy-autonomous micro-/bio-systems for energy management and health care
• Bio-inspired, 3D-printed multifunctional polymers/systems

Built on a long-standing transnational collaboration in training and research, the University of Freiburg and the University of Strasbourg offer a double degree Master's programme in Polymer Sciences (IM-PolyS). All courses are held in English.

Programme and courses of IM-PolyS:

• Semester One (Strasbourg)
  Introduction to polymer and soft matter science, complemented by courses in physical chemistry and/or physics

• Semester Two (Freiburg)
  Curriculum content
  In the second semester – together with the international students from Strasbourg – you can choose between the three main focus areas:
  
  I. Advanced Macromolecular Materials and Nanostructure Engineering:
  Advanced knowledge of designing, structuring and implementing advanced functional polymers
  
  II. Macromolecular Engineering and System Integration:
  Advanced knowledge of surface analysis, (micro) fabrication and assembly of flexible, energy-autonomous embedded micro systems and their applications
  
  III. Biomaterials and Biosystems:
  Advanced knowledge of bio-based polymer materials for sustainable development, exploiting renewable resources and the integration of biopolymer and synthetic functional polymers into (bio-/micro-) systems

• Semester Three "à la carte"
  Specialisation through a broad list of elective courses offered in Strasbourg and Freiburg (lectures and/or internship)

• Semester Four
  Master's research internship and Master's thesis

Université de Strasbourg (UFR Physique et Ingénierie)

The applicant must hold a Bachelor's degree in chemistry, physics or engineering, or must be about to be conferred this degree.

190 EUR per semester:

• Administrative fee: 80 EUR
• Contribution to the constituted student body: 7 EUR
• Contribution to the student union: 103 EUR

Participants must ensure that sufficient funding is available to finance their participation in a course of study. The average cost of living in Freiburg for one month is currently approx. 850 EUR to 1,000 EUR.

Some details:

• Rooms in private accommodation, including extra costs: 350 EUR – 700 EUR
• Rooms in student residences, including extra costs: 250 EUR – 550 EUR
• Private expenses amount to around 350 EUR per month.
• Health insurance is available for approx. 120 EUR per month.
• Transport: A special student ticket for regional transport costs approx. 96 EUR per semester.

Excellence scholarships: The Master's IM-PolyS is presently applying for a "Degree of Excellence". In the event that IM-PolyS is recognised with this distinction, one or two excellence scholarships may be granted to selected highly qualified students.

As Freiburg is an attractive city, finding a suitable and affordable place to live can take a little while. The University of Freiburg offers all newly enrolled international students the possibility to apply for student housing via the International Office. In addition to these dormitories, which are run by the Studierendenwerk Freiburg (www.swfr.de/en), several independent residence halls are listed on the university website (https://uni-freiburg.de/internationaloffice/housing/). The Studierendenwerk Freiburg and the International Office also offer a list of available private rooms.