MSc in Materials Chemistry
Chalmers University of Technology
Key Information
Campus location
Gothenburg, Sweden
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
2 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
SEK 160,000 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
* tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students
Introduction
Since the dawn of mankind, materials have defined us and played a central role in human development. The ages of stone, bronze, and iron formed vital parts of our history and now we are entering the nano age.
Using all the tools of chemistry, this master's program will deepen your understanding of materials, developing and designing them to be lighter, stronger, cheaper, more durable, and environmentally friendly. These are the materials that may come to form the essential building blocks in the next era of humanity.
Centered around organic and inorganic chemistry, polymers, and nanotechnology, this program will train you how to use these tools to tweak molecules and create specific, desired properties. This could include everything from high-temperature, corrosion-resistant materials, to catalysts for chemical processes and vehicle exhausts, or nanomaterials with unique traits for precision-targeted pharmaceuticals.
Materials chemistry could yield untold benefits for all kinds of fields. Biodegradable detergents, solvent-free paints, renewable polymers, polymer-based solar panels and diodes, thermoelectric materials that transform heat into electricity, and materials for handling complex emissions from biofuel engines — these are just some of the possibilities that you will investigate.
This master's program has an emphasis on synthesis, chemical characterization, physical and chemical properties, applications, and top-down chemical nanomanufacturing. There is also a close connection to industrially relevant materials, including both those in use today, and those likely to become crucial for future developments.
As a student, you will develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes which are essential to handle these complex materials, with courses covering topics such as advanced catalysis, surface chemistry, and nuclear chemistry.
You will look at the design, development of new and existing materials, and the synthesis and characterization of material properties. The program has a strong project-based emphasis, with teamwork and innovation processes at the forefront.
Career
Sweden, and the Gothenburg region, in particular, has cutting-edge research in the characterization, design, and development of new materials. In industry and academia, scientists and engineers in materials science are active in fields ranging from fundamental materials development to the application of materials technology in products and processes. Thus, the job market in Sweden has a continuous need for materials engineers with a sound chemistry background within the Swedish industry, such as automotive, rolling bearings, bioimplants, polymers, surface treatment, paint, packaging materials, pharmaceuticals, nuclear materials as well as hygiene and healthcare products.
Chalmers has connected academic research in all these fields, often together with start-up companies. In addition, sustainable engineering opens up more opportunities such as catalysis, recycling, biodegradable materials, tailored nanomaterials, and corrosion-resistant alloys which can lead you to a career at Chalmers in Sweden or anywhere in the world. Around 30% of the graduated students from Materials chemistry move on to Ph.D. studies, in most cases at Chalmers but also elsewhere.
Some examples of companies where the previous students have found positions include Powercell, AstraZeneca, ESAB, ST1, Emerson, Borealis, Rise, Ringhals Nuclear power, Nouryon, Mölnlycke Healthcare, Elasto Sweden AB, Preem, Tetra Pack, Intellego Technologies, Akzo Nobel, Oxeon, Vinci Technologies, Perstorp, Volvo, Volvo Cars, Alström Power, Inovyn or Adesso Bioproducts.
There are also a large number of graduated students that work as consultants or in different parts of the public sector. Around half of the master thesis work conducted on the program is done in different research groups at Chalmers and the other half is conducted at, in connection with, companies and industries primely in the Gothenburg area.
General entry requirements
A Bachelor's degree in Science, Engineering, Technology, or Architecture
To fulfill the general entry requirement for a Master's program at Chalmers (at advanced level/the second cycle), the prospective student must hold a degree that is equivalent to a Swedish Bachelor's degree (minimum 3 years, 180 Swedish higher education credits) in either Science, Engineering, Technology or Architecture.
- All applicants must document their formal academic qualifications to prove their eligibility. Only documentation from internationally recognized universities will be approved by the Swedish Council for Higher Education which manages the website universityadmissions.se.
- If an applicant is also a holder of a second degree such as a Master's degree, that may be to fulfill specific (course) requirements, it cannot be used to fulfill the general entry requirement on its own.
In your final year of Bachelor's Studies
Students in their last year of studies who don't yet have documentation of their soon-to-be-completed degree can be accepted.
Restrictions
Degrees that are constructed on one another cannot consist of the same course
Applicants who fulfill the general entry requirements for the second cycle (master’s level) programs and eventually specific entry requirements can be admitted to a master’s program. Applicants cannot be evaluated as unqualified in the qualifying academic merits which include courses from the program’s plan in those programs that they have applied for if that occurs.
Courses included in an earned first cycle degree (bachelor’s level) or professional qualification of at least 180 cr. (180hp) or the equivalent foreign qualification that are prerequisites for master’s qualifications may not be included in the higher qualifications. This also applies to prerequisite courses for master’s programs, regardless of whether they are included in the underlying qualification. *
*) Local Qualifications Framework for Chalmers University of Technology - first and second cycle qualifications.
Restrictions for Citizens from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea)
Chalmers cannot admit applicants with citizenship of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea only to any program or course, due to the Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1509 of 30 August 2017 concerning restrictive measures against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and repealing Regulation (EC) 329/2007.
For applicants with double citizenship of which one is of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the other of another country, the citizenship of the other country has precedence in this respect.