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English Language Master's Programme Advanced Materials Science

Technical innovations and ground-breaking technologies have one important common denominator: materials science. In the interdisciplinary, English-language NAWI Graz master's degree programme Advanced Materials Science, you will learn about materials and their properties, as well as their structures and functions. The overall goal within the programme is to understand materials, suggest improvements and develop new materials.

Quick Facts

  • Duration of study: 4 semesters
  • ECTS credit points: 120
  • Academic degree: Diplom-Ingenieurin or Diplom-Ingenieur (Dipl.Ing. or DI), equivalent to the Master of Science (MSc)
  • Language of instruction: English

The Master's Programme

In the master’s degree programme Advanced Materials Science, you will deepen and broaden your knowledge, which you have obtained in a bachelor’s degree in a field of the natural sciences or technology, such as Physics, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical and Process Engineering, Environmental Systems Sciences, or Electrical Engineering.

You acquire basic physical and chemical knowledge and engineering skills on the following topics, among others:

  • structural materials for vehicle construction and aviation
  • novel functional materials for use as sensors or actuators
  • Energy Materials that be used to store or produce energy or increase the efficiency of processes
  • bio-based and biocompatible materials

Interdisciplinary cooperation among different faculties is strongly supported in the programme. You receive insight in the following areas, among others:  

  • research laboratories in the areas of battery materials and semiconductor technology, paper and pulp, high-performance alloys,
  • the research area Additive Manufacturing with 3D printing in the area of metalworking, or
  • the research area of micro- and nanostructuring at the Austrian Centre for Electron Microscopy and Nanoanalysis

The course content also supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) formulated by the UN in the context of sustainability.

Advanced Materials Science offers a versatile career path: In areas of nano- and semiconductor technology, bio-based materials, or metallic and ceramic materials science. Therefore, I recommend the degree programme to anyone interested in an interdisciplinary and cross-faculty education.

Focus Areas

You will learn about the production, processing, characterisation, modelling and application of materials and substances in an interdisciplinary way. Furthermore, you will acquire the ability to apply complex scientific methods used in the fields of physics, chemistry and materials science to materials. After completing your studies, you are able to specifically select materials and substances, develop ideas for new materials and optimise or predict their properties.

You deepen your knowledge in one of the following focus areas:

  • Metallic and Ceramic Materials: You learn about the microstructure and properties of these materials, as well as how to apply them as structural and functional materials.
  • Semiconductor Process Engineering and Nanotechnology: You will delve into areas of semiconductor physics and nanophysics, learning techniques such as lithography and the steps taken to manufacture semiconductor devices and micromechanical components.
  • Biobased materials: You will learn the fundamentals of biochemistry and biophysics and how to use biocompatible materials in medical applications.

The programme is characterised by extensive laboratory exercises which offer good supervision in each subject. You also have the opportunity to conduct material measurements, analyses and synthesis processes.

Advanced Materials Science is the right degree programme for anyone who’s interested in the exciting world of materials. By taking part in laboratory and lecture exercises, you learn about basic materials science, semiconductor and nanotechnology, or bio-based materials.

Miniaturized replica of the Louvre in Paris. For fabrication, a finely focused electron beam was used, which breaks up surface-adsorbed molecules in order to immobilize them. Due to the highly precise position control of the electron beam, such 3D constructs with individual structure sizes down to less than 20 nm can be manufactured additively in a single step.

Source: FELMI-ZFE (Austrian Centre for Electron Microscopy & Nanoanalysis)

Collaborations and Networks

You learn how to work together in project teams to apply interdisciplinary methods to solve problems. In doing so, you also have the opportunity to cooperate with representatives of international research institutions as well as renowned, globally operating companies. This also enables the students to conduct practical company internships and master's theses.

During the course of the programme, lectures and talks by external lecturers from industry and science are regularly offered, providing insights into current research areas.

Admission

The prerequisite for admission is a completed bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject (see curriculum).

Additionally, you need to provide evidence of competence in the English language.

1. Admission Procedure

Summer Semester 2024

There will be no admission procedure. You can go directly to the next step (2. Admission).

Academic Year 2024/25

Registration for the admission procedure: 15 December 2023 to 15 March 2024

Details on the admission procedure

2. Admission

If you have already been admitted to a degree programme at TU Graz, or have studied at TU Graz before, please come to the Registrar's Office in person to complete your admission during the admission period.

Information and Advice

Contact studynoSpam@tugraz.at

Career Prospects

Throughout the entire programme, I was encouraged to develop my personal strengths. Completing tasks in small groups definitely helped me learn how to work as a member of a team. The many oral exams gave me the confidence to present my arguments and to answer questions spontaneously. These are both valuable skills that, in addition to my professional qualifications, made it much easier for me to begin my career.
The master's degree programme in Advanced Materials Science opens up a wide range of career options; I chose to enter the semiconductor industry. Currently, I am employed by a well-known semiconductor company and working on my dissertation on a topic related to industry, and specifically on the development of a manufacturing process for novel chip packages.

Professional Fields

As a materials scientist, you can perform a wide range of complex tasks in industry, research and public institutions. You are nationally and internationally active in, for example:

  • industrial research and development, e.g. the materials industry, chemical industry, semiconductor industry;
  • high-tech areas such as sustainable technologies, process innovation and information technology; and
  • research and teaching at universities and research institutes.