Materials Chemistry and Mineralogy

Materials Chemistry and Mineralogy is an international postgraduate study programme covering application and research related topics ranging from raw materials to industrial products. The curriculum is divided into a general mandatory part and an elective part focusing on either chemistry or mineralogy. The mandatory part (42 CP) includes lectures and exercises in the fields of mineralogy, crystallography, chemistry (solid state and surfaces) and materials science, and a broad education in analytical methods. In the elective part (48 CP), special topics and skills in the field of materials chemistry or mineralogy are covered. The interdisciplinary study programme is offered in cooperation with the faculties of Geosciences and Chemistry with strong contributions from the Engineering faculty and the University of Applied Sciences. During the first semester, fundamentals of all core subjects are presented in lectures and accompanying exercises, including mineralogy, crystallography, chemistry and materials science. In addition, a two-semester training course on a number of analytical methods starts and is continued in the second semester. Here, the two-semester profile section starts, which comprises 48 CP. In one profile (Mineralogy or Chemistry), students must earn 30–42 CP. From the second profile, six to 18 CP should be chosen. The General Studies module aims to enhance students' soft skills through a course of their choice from the university's general studies offerings, along with a programming course. During the third semester, students mainly engage in individual work on two research modules conducted in the laboratory, which are offered by the research groups. At least one research module should be among the chosen profile of Mineralogy or Chemistry. These modules are dedicated to the development and presentation of research projects and prepare the students for their Master's thesis. The fourth semester is reserved for thesis work, which has to be defended in a colloquium. Teaching units are predominantly scheduled as weekly assignments throughout an academic semester (October to February, April to July). Short field excursions (depending on the selected elective modules), lab work, or special projects may be scheduled as blocks assigned to a few weeks within a semester break.  PDF Download