Study Materials Science
Study options and application via the study information system (SINS)
Diploma
The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the TU Dresden maintains the classical engineering degree but has adapted all courses of study to the Bologna criteria for international comparability. The German Diplom-Ingenieur (Dipl.-Ing.) is a globally recognized title and quality term; it is well known in the business world and mainly established in the technical field. A diploma program lasts at least five years in the standard study period. After the first four semesters, an intermediate certificate confirms successful completion of the primary studies, the content of which is broad engineering and scientific fundamentals. After that, students in the diploma program can continue their education and acquire in-depth specialized knowledge in their chosen field during the remaining six semesters. The diploma program includes a technical internship in the 7th semester, which is completed outside the university. This internship allows students to gain practical experience in their future professional environment and apply their theoretical knowledge in industrial practice. After ten semesters, students achieve the professionally qualifying university degree of Diplom-Ingenieur. The comparability of the diploma and master's degree is confirmed for each graduate with the "Diploma Supplement". The diploma is, therefore, equivalent to a master's degree.
Bachelor
In addition to this training program, we offer a three-year bachelor's program, the content of which essentially corresponds to the first semesters of the diploma program. The bachelor's program allows students to enter the workforce earlier. However, it is primarily intended for those who, after completing a bachelor's degree at another university in Germany or abroad, would like to study for a master's degree.
Structure
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That's why Materials Science at TU Dresden!
Technical progress has always been linked to the availability of suitable materials. Today, it is estimated that around three quarters of all innovations are made possible directly or indirectly by new materials. Companies in all branches of industry are therefore on the lookout for new materials to make the products of the future lighter, more sustainable, faster, safer, more multifunctional and more intelligent.
To do this, they need materials scientists who are able to specifically improve the properties of existing materials and develop new materials. For a long time now, solutions have had to be developed that exceed the usual application limits of materials. It is already possible to produce new materials with almost freely selectable properties and combinations of properties. This is how ultra-high-strength steels for automotive engineering, lightweight aluminum alloys for aviation, high-temperature-resistant nickel alloys for energy technology, ICE brakes made of ceramics, electrically conductive plastics for the electronics industry, self-cleaning window panes and washbasins, nanomaterials with special physical properties and biomaterials for use in medicine and dentistry are being created. The Materials Science program covers materials science and materials engineering, including nanotechnology. Based on a broad education at the TU Dresden, students are enabled to analyze and solve complex problems in materials science and materials engineering. Graduates are able to meet the fundamental requirements in all areas of materials science due to their sound scientific and technical knowledge as well as their mastery of specialist knowledge and scientific methods.
Study content
The study of materials science provides students with specialist and methodological knowledge for analyzing and solving complex problems in materials science and materials engineering. All material groups - from metallic, ceramic and polymeric materials and composite materials to materials for special applications such as biomaterials - are the focus of the course. From their atomic order, structure and microscopic composition, students learn how to derive the respective properties. By imparting specialized knowledge and scientific methods, students are able to meet the basic requirements in all areas of materials science at the end of their studies. They will be able to apply their knowledge, transfer the skills they have acquired to new problem areas and competently solve challenging problems in materials research, materials development, materials production, materials application and in the clarification of cases of damage.
Basic studies: (1st to 4th semester)
The first four semesters are devoted mainly to mathematics, science and engineering, but also to the general fundamentals of materials science.
are dealt with. Compulsory modules include the fundamentals of materials science, mathematics, physics, chemistry, mechanics and design theory. Modules for general and interdisciplinary qualifications, such as language training, business fundamentals and a selection from the fields of economics, law, social affairs and the environment round off the range of courses.
Major studies: 5th semester (Bachelor) or 5th to 9th semester (Diploma)
In the second part of the study program, the basic education is extended and linked with the application-oriented knowledge transfer. The respective compulsory program in the 5th semester (Bachelor) or 5th to 9th semester (Diploma) is supplemented on an elective basis by modules from compulsory elective areas. Students specialize in the area of "Fundamentals and Methods" and in the area of "Applied Materials Science" in the second stage of their studies.
While in the area of "Fundamentals and Methods" mainly competences in the field of measurement and analysis techniques are taught, in the "Applied Materials Science" competences concerning construction materials, functional materials, biomaterials and nanomaterials come to the fore. In the 7th semester (diploma), the specialized internship is carried out. In this way, the students learn to apply the theoretical knowledge acquired during their studies in a practical professional environment. The 6th or 10th semester is reserved for the execution of the bachelor/diploma thesis, either in university institutes, other research institutions or in industry. Through close cooperation with non-university partners in Dresden, the Leibniz Association, the Fraunhofer Society and the Max Planck Society, students are offered a modern scientifically oriented education.
Catching voices
Materials Science at the TU Dresden!? - We ask the students!
In the video, Sina, Julian and Marion talk about what the course is about and why they decided to study at the TU Dresden.
Q&A about the study course with Adrian
Adrian is studying materials science - but what does that actually involve? In the video he talks about his everyday life as a student, his involvement in the student council and possible career prospects.
© TU Dresden
Researching with Lasers ✨ | At Work with ... Professor Andrés Fabian Lasagni
How can aircraft wings be protected from frost and ice? In the new episode of "At work with ...," Professor Lasagni shows what can be learned from surface structures in nature and how laser processes can imitate them.
Auf Arbeit mit Laserexperte Professor Lasagni © TU Dresden/ Tobias Ritz / Janett Hanitzsch
Occupational fields
Professional tasks of graduates of the study program Materials Science at the TU Dresden range from activities in research institutes to industrial employment to application consulting and to founding their own companies. They find employment in the fields of: Civil engineering, chemical engineering, energy engineering, manufacturing engineering, information technology, aerospace, medical engineering, environmental engineering, traffic engineering, materials production and processing. The main areas of work for materials scientists include materials testing, materials development, production engineering, materials consulting, materials recycling and failure analysis. This means that future graduates will be able to work not only in traditional mechanical engineering, plant construction and vehicle manufacturing companies, but also in electrical engineering and micro- and nanotechnology. Graduates who particularly want to prepare themselves for activities in research can, if they are suitably qualified, go on to complete a doctorate and obtain a PhD after completing their diploma studies.