Tampere University

Master of Science (Technology) in Materials Science and Engineering

Study contents

In the Master’s Programme in Materials Science and Engineering, you will have some compulsory basic studies and then you can select your major from one of our focus areas, as well as a minor. The compulsory basic studies of the Master’s Programme provide an introduction to the field of materials science and the prerequisite knowledge for pursuing more advanced studies. The module also provides students with other necessary skills, such as the basics of the Finnish language and guidance for thesis writing.

The focus areas, or major subjects, available in the program provide in-depth knowledge of materials science and engineering from a variety of different perspectives. In our program, you will complete an advanced (30 credits) or an extended (50-60 credits) major subject. The three focus areas offered in the program are Advanced Engineering Materials, Mechanics of Materials, and Sustainable Materials. These are described in more detail in the Specialisations section.

A minor subject can be freely selected and with their choice of minor students can direct their expertise towards their desired career path or field of interest. The number of available minors is large including, for example, mechanical engineering, chemistry, circular economy, or energy and environment. Students completing an extended major are not required to pursue a minor subject.

To complete a Master's Degree in Technology, the students are required to prepare a master's thesis related to their major subject (30 ECTS). The master's thesis is an extensive treatise, that prepares the student for independent study and research, the mastery of scientific methods, referencing conventions, and the scientific mode of presentation in a good literary form.

Already during the early stages of your studies, you will be assigned to a student tutor who will help you with many practicalities of the studies, but also a professor mentor to guide you with the selection of studies and especially the major and minor subjects so that you will gain the most benefit from your studies and direct them according to your career goals.

Specialization

During your advanced studies, you can choose to focus on Advanced Engineering Materials, Mechanics of Materials, Sustainable Materials, or Medical Biomaterials and Their Applications. The goals of these majors are described below.

Advanced Engineering Materials

The major in Advanced Engineering Materials provides in-depth knowledge of the processing-structure-property-performance relationships of a selected material group, namely metallic materials, ceramic materials, or polymer materials. All students in Advanced Engineering Materials will have a general understanding of materials’ performance (usability, corrosion, aging, and wear) and typical methods to evaluate the performance (failure analysis, non-destructive testing, and microscopy). Further, you learn about detailed aspects of processing, characterization, microstructure, and properties of the material group you have chosen as your specific focus area. If you complete this major with a focus on metallic materials, it gives you an understanding of how the processing and resulting microstructure affect the properties of different metals and alloys. You will know what the role of thermodynamics, kinetics, and physical metallurgy is in controlling the microstructure, and subsequently, the final properties. You can evaluate the usability of alloys for technical applications by analyzing the information produced or supplied by the material's manufacturer and understanding applicable testing, characterization, and analysis methods, and their limitations for metallic materials. If you complete the major with a focus on ceramic materials, you will be able to evaluate the suitability of engineering ceramics for extreme service conditions, fast utilization of novel electrical, magnetic, and photonic properties of functional ceramics for industry, and emerging additive manufacturing methods of multifunctional structures. If you complete the major with a focus on polymeric materials, you have a good understanding of different polymeric materials and their rheological properties. You know the suitable processing technologies for polymeric materials and how they affect the microstructure and behavior of the material. Further, you can identify suitable methodologies to test and analyze the properties of polymeric materials and apply the data to evaluate their suitability in engineering applications.

Mechanics of Materials

The major in Mechanics of Materials focuses on the experimental characterization of the mechanical behavior of materials and the simulations of material behavior in various applications. The studies will give you a deeper understanding and scientific explanations for material models and the phenomena that they simulate. In addition to students with a background in Materials Science and Engineering, this major is also suitable for students who have a background in Mechanical Engineering, Solid Mechanics, Aeronautical Engineering, or other similar subject, and who wish to deepen their solid mechanics know-how with materials science. Depending on your interest you may focus your studies on different areas, for example focusing on the mechanics of lightweight load-carrying materials where you will learn numerical methods for evaluating the behavior of highly anisotropic composite materials. You may also choose to focus your attention on evaluating tribology in machine elements, wear of materials, and mechanics of metals and alloys used in the engineering industry. No matter how you focus your studies within this major, you will have excellent knowledge of materials science and engineering combined with skills in mechanics that you can apply either for industrial or academic R&D. Our program also allows you to learn at the world-class research infrastructures including the Advanced mechanics of materials, the Tribology and wear testing, and the Polymer and composite processing and rheology.

Sustainable Materials

The major in Sustainable Materials focuses on the sustainability and environmental aspects of Materials Science and Engineering. Environmentally friendly materials, recycling, and understanding of the Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of the material production and use are critical for our future society. This major will provide you with knowledge in LCA as well as in knowledge-based and collaborative decision-making for sustainability. To achieve these sustainability aspects, the student completes the major with a package of courses that provide them with a solid background in some material group (polymers, ceramics, or metals) or application-oriented materials studies. For example, one can focus on bio-based packaging and pulp and paper production, or alternatively, you can select courses that provide you with knowledge in materials for energy technologies. Further, you can complete your studies, for example, in environmental engineering, circular economy, or chemistry. To be successful in this major you should have a background in materials science, chemistry, polymer chemistry, bioprocessing, bioengineering, environmental engineering, or similar.

In the Master’s Programme in Materials Science and Engineering, you can also select a major in Medical Biomaterials and Their Applications, which is provided in co-operation with the Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology. This major aims at treating, repairing, or augmenting diseased or injured tissue. To choose this specialization you must have some previous studies related to medical biomaterials. All students enrolling in this module will learn about the various materials used in clinics. They will be able to not only understand the tissue/materials interactions but also the properties dictating their unique role in improving human health. Students will have the privilege to specialize in their module by choosing either a materials science or a tissue engineering track. If you choose this major, you must choose a minor in Materials Science and Engineering.

The most significant feature characterizing the career opportunities that Engineering Materials Science offers is versatility. Describing the career path of a typical graduate is not straightforward, as materials expertise is needed in multiple companies in different fields of industry. The degree opens up a wide range of career opportunities and you can tailor your degree towards your desired direction by making certain choices during your studies.

The Finnish industry today boasts a wide variety of career opportunities for an engineer in materials science ranging from the modern steel industry and the design and production of heavy machinery to the production and design of electronic components. Further, there are many possibilities related to the development and production of sustainable polymeric products. The job market possibilities range from local SMEs to major international companies.

Due to our world-class research, it is not uncommon for our graduates to continue working in academia as scientists or pursue a doctoral degree. Tampere University offers its internal funding program for doctoral studies which is a great opportunity for someone seeking a Ph.D., but as a reflection of that, it is also highly competitive. At Tampere University we have multiple PhD candidates in materials science each year.

Co-operation with other parties

In addition to studies in one’s program, students may take full advantage of the teaching offered by the Tampere higher education community ranging from technical to vocational studies in various fields.

We offer our students the opportunity to gain international experience in the form of a double degree program. The double degree program comprises a curriculum of 120 ECTS credits at Tampere University and the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM). This cooperation allows students to not only widen their knowledge of materials science in a very international framework but also tailor their degree to stand out in today’s challenging job market. You will receive two degree certificates from this program; one from Finland and one from Spain.

Further study opportunities

The MSc degree gives you eligibility to apply for doctoral studies. At Tampere University we have multiple PhD candidates in materials science each year.

The Doctoral Programme in Engineering Sciences has strong industrial relevance. The graduates can refine industrial challenges into scientific research questions and apply scientific methods to create new knowledge. Upon completion of the Doctor of Science in Technology degree, the doctoral graduates will have the expertise to pursue challenging careers in the field of engineering sciences. The program is closely focused on technology and offers doctoral students access to state-of-the-art research infrastructures.