About this programme
Functional materials such as energy materials, magnetic, or electronic materials are essential for the society of the 21st century. The Master's programme places specific emphasis on the structure, synthesis, analysis, modelling, and characterisation of functional materials, such as ceramics, inorganic and organic semiconductors, thin films, energy materials, metals, and nanomaterials. Compulsory courses cover fundamental aspects such as surface and interface science, theoretical materials science (including quantum mechanics, non-equilibrium thermodynamics, and continuum mechanics), materials analytics, and sustainable materials science. Two lab courses and the Advanced Research Lab – an independent research project in one of our research groups to prepare for the Master's thesis – are compulsory, too. A wide range of elective courses provides the possibility to delve into various fields of specialisation. You can, for instance, focus on materials for energy applications, ceramics, thin magnetic films for spintronics, high-performance alloys, materials characterisation, or modelling of advanced functional materials. Given the approximately 50 elective courses offered at our institute, plus countless more provided by other TU Darmstadt institutes, many more specialisations are possible. We strongly encourage students to choose a professor as their mentor and discuss their specialisation. You will join one of the research groups in the department for the Advanced Research Lab and your Master's thesis (not necessarily the same group for both). Compulsory courses: First semester: Research lab I (4CP) Quantum Mechanics OR Micromechanics (6CP) Functional Materials (6CP) Surfaces and Interfaces (5CP) Second semester: Research lab II (4CP) Theoretical Methods in Materials Science (6CP) Advanced Characterisation Methods in Materials Science (6CP) Sustainable Materials (6CP) Third semester: Advanced Research Lab (research internship, 15 CP) Fourth semester: Master's thesis (30 CP) Between 22 and 26 CPs of elective courses in materials science must be completed before starting the Master's thesis. Topics include: Magnetism and Magnetic Materials Solid State and Structural Chemistry of Materials Advanced Microscopy Ceramic Materials Engineering Microstructures Semiconductor Interfaces Chemical Sensors Mechanical Properties of Metals and Ceramics Surface Science Graphene and Carbon Nanotubes Materials Chemistry in Electrocatalysis Electrochemistry in Energy Applications High Pressure Materials Synthesis Phase Transitions in Materials Density Functional Theory and many more... Between 6 and 10 CPs of general studies, i.e. elective courses not related to materials science, must be completed before starting the Master's thesis. Topics include: Project Management Cognitive Science Philosophy Economics and many more... PDF Download
Course details verified 09 Sep 2026 — intakes, entry requirements and course facts · official source