Materials Science B.Sc.

 

The research spectrum of materials science ranges from particle movement to tailored materials. It works with the question of how innovative engineering solutions can be derived from the chemical and physical properties of matter.

Using nature's laws material scientists develop new materials that don't exist in nature – especially functional materials at a low molecular level. Their expertise ranges from the design of tailored metallic and semi-conducting materials to the development of apposite mineral materials. They investigate, for example, how the conducting behavior of nanoparticles can be used to develop tiny storage and circuit elements. A further example of the application of materials science developments is the use of new materials in cell phones: innovative functional materials in cell phones ensure that the GPS receiver signal is correctly received and processed.

Shaped by natural sciences the "look within" of innovative functional materials is what distinguishes the materials science perspective. It delineates itself from the neighboring materials engineering, which focuses more strongly on structural materials.

In its materials science course of study RWTH Aachen offers an interdisciplinary curriculum, which is taught by four RWTH Faculties. At the cross-section of natural science and engineering fundamentals students acquire an intensive fundamental education, which targets expertise in both fields.

It is characterized by the large component of the fundamental subjects chemistry, physics, and mathematics, and from an application-oriented methods training in high tech laboratories and workshops. Analytical processes are taught along with innovative methods of process and materials modelling, which take into account the consistently growing percentage of computer-based materials research. Students also gain an intensive introduction to the field of characterization methods.

In order to ensure students acquire the necessary breadth, they are not allowed to specialize during their Bachelor's studies. Students first have the opportunity to concentrate on one of the focuses of Aachen materials science and to develop their own academic profile when writing their Bachelor's thesis and later during Master's studies.

 

Degree Content

Curriculum

Semester	Natural Science Subjects and Mathematics	Engineering Subjects	Materials Science Subjects
1 and 2	Advanced Mathematics I and II, Experimental Physics I and II (and practical), General and Inorganic Chemistry	Materials Science I and II, Technical Mechanics I and II	Introduction to Materials Science, Crystallography
3 and 4	Advanced Mathematics III, Numerical Mathematics, Practical General and Inorganic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry I and II, Heterogeneous Equal-Weight Elementary, Simulation Technology, Quantum Mechanics	Electrical Engineering	Materials Science (and practical), Crystal Chemistry and Physics, Radiographic Powder Methods, Electronic Materials I
5 and 6	Solid State Physics I and II	Materials Processing: Welding, Introduction to Recasting, Macromolecular Chemistry, Plastics Processing, Glass Materials Technology	Thermochemistry (and practical), Electron Microscopy (and practical), Electronic Materials II (and practical)
	Bachelor's thesis – three months

A number of interdisciplinary courses can be taken as non-technical electives, such as foreign language and soft skill courses or business administration, to supplement the core studies. Detailed information is available on the course of study webpage.

Internships

Students are required to complete a six-week pre-internship before beginning studies. During their studies institute internships offer the possibiity to apply lecture content in a research context. In other courses, modern analysis techniques such as electron microscopy or X-ray structural analysis are learned and tested.

Programs Abroad

Germany is currently a worldwide recognized hotspot for materials development and exports the corresponding expertise. International experience is becoming increasingly important for budding specialists.

The Division of Materials Science and Engineering maintains research and teaching collaborations with a number of European and non-European universities. Student mobility is at the focus of our activities abroad.

The ERASMUS program ERASMUS+ offers students the opportunity to study at another European university for one or two semesters. Over 60 universities on all continents are available to choose from. The Division maintains partnerships with 34 universities in Asia alone. A number of partner universities are located in North and South America and Australia.

RWTH students profit not only from the Faculty's exchange programs but also from the University's strategic partnerships with international universities. They can, for example, complete short stays at one of the IDEA League universities while completing a term paper. The UROP Abroad program, the only one of its kind in Germay, offers the possibility to participate in research projects at international universities during Bachelor studies. These stays abroad are partially funded by RWTH-specific funding.

All of RWTH's collaborative programs are listed on the webpages about studying abroad. The division also offers its own advising system to help students plan their stay abroad.

 

Prerequisites

Personal Prerequisites

If you want to study materials science, you should be interested in mathematics, chemistry, physics, and above all enthusiasm for natural sciences and technical basic research. We recommend having taken the corresponding advanced courses in school but it is not required. A deciding factor is your person interest and involvement to work with mathematic-natural science content during the start of your studies. RWTH Aachen offers bridge courses, if you would like to intensify or refresh your school knowledge and skills.

Enrollment Prerequisites

1. Pre-internship
When enrolling students must provide proof of a six-week pre-internship. The guidelines for the internship are in Attachment 3 of the current examination regulation, which you can find at the bottom of this page. The internship certificate from the company is sufficient to enroll in the materials science course of study. The content of the pre-internship must be reviewed and recognized by departmental advising during your studies. If you do not submit proof of a pre-internship or completed an internship with other content to prepare for another subject, please contact the departmental advisors at: bachelor.matwiss@rwth-aachen.de.

 

The pre-internship is not only an enrollment requirement but also a condition for taking courses during the fourth semester. Departmental advising offers to consult with you during the planning phase to review whether the selected internship and type of company meet the technical requirements. If you have already completed your pre-internship, departmental advising can quickly issue the official certificate of recognition.

2. Self Assessment
RWTH "Georesources and Materials Technology" Self Assessment

 

Decision Aids

The materials science course of study fall under both engineering and natural sciences – chemistry, physics. Your interest in the natural sciences and technical foundations are fundamental for successful and happy studies in the field of materials engineering. The related course of study "Materials Engineering" is, for example, much more oriented towards engineering. Materials scientists work more with basic research, that is they focus on designing the material, before materials engineers further develop and process it. Before beginning studies, you should think about whether you are more interested in the technical or natural science side.

Materials science studies require a high amount of motivation and self-initiative. You will first complete basic studies in mathematics, physics, and chemistry, just like in engineering courses of study. The math you will learn corresponds to that in the mechanical engineering course of study. It serves as a foundation for all the following subjects.

If you wish to review yourself, you are welcome to attend lectures as a school student. You can also gather initial impressions at Schüleruni, during the university visitation week, or during sample studies for girls.

 

Media Library

Do you want more impressions and glances? Use the diverse information available! You can find our recommendations in the media library.

 

Career Prospects

Materials scientists develop and optimize tailored material combinations needed for specific applications. They can build the bridge to decisive technical innovations or achieve enormous cost savings. As a result there are outstanding entry-level opportunities in industry and particularly research.

Materials scientists are currently extraordinarily in demand in the job market – especially as experts for the manufacture, application, and optimization of high-performance materials. They work, for example, in research and development departments, as well as in product management or quality management.

Due to their extraordinary interdisciplinary education RWTH graduates work in many technical fields. They find employment in aerospace engineering, semiconductor engineering, photovoltaics, ceramics and the fireproof industry, the building materials sector, the chemical industry, the glass-, computer-, and microchip industries, and the iron and steel industry. Further possible career fields include medical technology, biomaterials, surface finishing, consulting, survey and failure analysis, technical journalism, or quality protection.

 

Master's Degree Prospects

The Master's course of study in materials science offers a number of specialization possibilities. In the field of nantechnology work is done on nanostructures and possibilities for their technical use. The specialization electronic materials facilitates knowledge in the field of semiconductors and organic electronics. The focus of surface technology is on innovative surface processing and chemical analysis using secondary ion mass spectrometry. Here biocompatable materials, among others, are developed. The specialization construction materials offers the greatest proximity to the engineering sciences and highlights primarily metallic materials and their manufacturing and processing processes.

 

Module Handbook and Examination Regulations

The module handbook provides a description of all modules of a degree program and offers a comprehensive insight into the program contents.

The examination regulations are comprised of legally binding provisions on learning objectives, prerequisites for study, the course structure and processes, and examination procedures.

Regulations that generally apply to all Bachelor's and Master's degree programs, including information on language proficiency requirements, can be found in RWTH's General Examination Regulations. These general regulations are further specified and complemented by the subject-specific examination regulations.

If two examination regulations are valid for a degree program during a transition phase, the most current version shall apply to students enrolling in the program for the first time.

Please note that only the German examination regulations are legally binding.

Module Handbook
Subject-Specific Examination Regulations
RWTH's General Examination Regulations

 

Faculties

The interdisciplinary Bachelor course of study in Materials Science is offered by the Division of Materials Science and Engineering in the Faculty of Georesources and Materials Engineering in collaboration with the Faculty of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Natural Sciences, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, and the Faculty for Electrical Engineering and Information Technology.

The Division of Materials Science and Engineering is one of world's leading innovation centers in materials engineering. In its teaching and research it has created a unique symbiosis between the research of material properties shaped by the natural sciences and the development of materials, processing techniques, and materials applications oriented towards engineering.