Master of Science in Sustainable Materials Engineering
In this Master's programme you acquire thorough knowledge about the production and recycling processes and the structure-performance relationships of materials. The programme covers a spectrum of materials, ranging from metals and polymers, to textiles and composites. Sustainability aspects are incorporated throughout the programme, for example through developing circular production processing, increasing energy efficiency and material innovation. Graduates are in high demand in the industry, public service and scientific research
EUR-ACE® Master (EURopean ACcredited Engineering Master)
The EUR-ACE label was accredited to this programme by the Commission des titres d’ingénieur (CTI), under the auspices of the European Network for Accreditation of Engineering Education (ENAEE).
EUR-ACE® is a framework and accreditation system that provides a set of standards that identifies high-quality engineering degree programmes in Europe and abroad.
What
The Master of Science in Sustainable Materials Engineering aims at the study of the extraction, production, processing, properties, sustainable use and recycling of a whole range of materials. This implies (i) the description and modelling of material properties, specifically for the chemical, mechanical and thermal production and processing aspects in materials engineering, (ii) the effect of the chemical composition and processing conditions on the structure and the properties of materials in view of optimal performance and application, and, (iii) the behavior, durability and degradation of materials in different environmental conditions. Dealing with the limited resource availability worldwide in a sustainable way is an important objective of the programme. These concepts are applied to various important materials: metals, polymers, textiles, and composites.
Remarks
The Faculty of Engineering and Architecture (FEA) offers most of its Engineering programmes at Master’s level in English. This underlines the international ambition of the faculty, as well as the importance of an international education and multiple language skills for students.
For whom
The admission requirements vary. Depending on your prior education, you are either able to enrol directly, or there are additional requirements.
Structure
The curriculum comprises four parts: (i) general compulsory course units, (ii) a choice between two majors to allow specialisation in a particular field of materials engineering, (iii) elective course units, and, (iv) the Master’s dissertation. The general compulsory course units focus on material sciences, specific material types, material structure/property relations and performance analysis, and production and processing technology. These course units lay the foundation for every materials engineer. The course units are also in line with the specific (regional) sectors such as the metallurgical and the plastics/textile industry. Throughout the course units, the aspects of sustainability are addressed and new technologies are discussed, allowing future engineers to develop more eco-friendly materials and processes. Among other things, we cover and/or foster:
- the development of innovative and light-weight materials used in e.g. constructions and vehicles where stringent safety requirements apply;
- the optimisation of chemical composition and processing of metals and polymers, and, an understanding of fundamental properties of the different materials, how they relate to the material structure and how these are affected during processing;
- the simulation of material properties and subsequent interpretation of the outcome of such simulations;
- an understanding of why a material degrades with time and due to environmental influences, and how surface engineering can increase its life span;
- how to process metals from secondary sources (such as scrap or e-waste) that are just as high-performing as metals produced from primary raw materials (ores);
- etc.
In the second year, students can choose between two majors to specialise further in one material group. The Metal Science and Engineering major focuses on metals with an emphasis on atomistic and microscopic understanding, modelling of microstructural processes and material properties and a further deep-dive into sustainable metal processing. The Polymer and Fibre Engineering major focuses on polymers and textiles with an emphasis on polymer processing and recycling technologies, colouring and finishing of fibres and a deep-dive into technical and functional textiles.
The elective course units offer the possibility to concentrate further on specific topics such as ecology, nanotechnology, smart materials, etc. The curriculum also leaves room for a minor (18 credits), which students can choose as part of the electives: Operations Management, Environment and Sustainable Development and Automotive Production Engineering. The electives also offer students the option of a research work placement or an industrial work placement at a company. This is a good way to get to know the different types of material engineers and their day-to-day job content.
Finally, there is the Master’s dissertation. Since the programme is strongly embedded in different materials research groups at our the faculty, you will also get a taste of the ongoing research activities in the discipline as well as get updated on state-of-the-art topics. The best way to illustrate this is our extensive list of dissertation topics, ranging from experimental to modelling work and from metals to textiles, all of them in line with the current research activities. The Master’s dissertation stimulates independent and critical thinking and enhances project management skills.
Labour Market
Masters in Sustainable Materials Engineering – like all other engineers– have a wide range of career possibilities. The demand for engineers exceeds the number of graduates available, including material science engineers. Graduates have careers in the industry, public service or scientific research. Fundamental and applied scientific research focuses on the properties, the behaviour, the processing and the production of different types of materials, such as metals, synthetic materials, ceramics, composites and ‘new’ materials. Others analyse and optimise existing or new production and processing methods. Researchers can work at academic and industrial research centres. In the industry, material science engineers have technical, commercial or management positions.
The innovation and development of advanced products for new markets and the application of new technologies are essential for a healthy industry. Traditional and new important industrial sectors for experts in materials are: the metal industry, the polymer and textile industry, both production and processing such as recycling of metals or polymers, assembly plants, component producers, chemical companies (e.g. corrosion or process engineer and material selection), machine manufacturers, micro-electronics companies (semiconductors), supervisory bodies and centres of expertise (material properties and study of insurance claims), packaging, transport (e.g. composites), pharmacy, agriculture, etc. Material science engineers often work along mechanical engineers, architects or chemists but have a specific complementary profile which is of vital importance in the implementation of engineering projects. They hold leading positions in the development, production and sales of high-value materials.
Quality Assurance
At Ghent University, we strive to educate people who dare to think about the challenges of tomorrow. For that purpose, we provide education that is embedded in six strategic objectives: Think Broadly, Keep Researching, Cultivate Talent, Contribute, Extend Horizons, Opt for Quality.
Ghent University continuously focuses on quality assurance and quality culture. The Ghent University's quality assurance system offers information on each study programme’s unique selling points, and on its strengths and weaknesses with regard to quality assurance.
More information:
Unique Selling Points
- Multiperspectivism: We train our students to be critical professionals who can be employed in international teams. We learn our students the skills necessary to work in a flexible, creative, and problem solving way.
- Programme: In the new programme special attention is paid to aspects of sustainability of a whole range of materials, e.g. metals, ceramic materials, fibre-based materials, and composites.
- Talent development: Our students have a certain freedom of choice to compose their study programme according to their own interests. The UGent is the only institution in the Benelux countries that provides academic education in the field of fibre materials and textile science and engineering.
- Knowledge creation: The programme sets great store by a gradual construction of knowledge. A thorough knowledge basis in the way in which structure, production, and tooling of materials determines their usage properties, permits the design of high technological materials for advanced applications.
- Leading cluster: ‘Materials’ is a leading cluster of the Flemish government which can flourish thanks to a very extensive materials industry in the region of Flanders. The core of the programme is situated at the Zwijnaarde campus, which accommodates a genuine materials cluster which bridges the gap between university and industry. This does not only provide good contacts with various industrial partners, but also the access to the most recent research infrastructure.
Strengths
- Approachability: Since we are a small programme, we dedicate ourselves to a direct and intensive contact between our teachers and students. We also set great store by a personal coaching.
- Research and industry: We facilitate the introduction of the departments’ current research to our students. Basic research and its application in the business world are treated.
- Motivated team of teachers: The programme is supported by committed teachers from different disciplines. Their research is internationally recognised. They are receptive to innovative teaching methods that contribute to a broader education of the students.
- Internationalisation: We set great store by internationalisation. The programme offers a worldwide network for exchanges, in which many students take part. They also come into contact with incoming students, teachers, and researchers.
- Student activity: We value contact with and between the students. We organise activities to bring them together, along with international students, and we introduce them to the own research groups. MaChT, the association of materials science and chemical technology master students, adds greatly to this purpose.
Challenges
- Student inflow: The efforts to present the programme clearly has a positive effect on the number of students. Nevertheless, we need to keep dedicating ourselves to this matter.
- Sustainability: The students indicate that sustainability is incorporated in most of the course units, but that it is often not treated explicitly. We will have a closer look on how to make it more explicit.
- Foreign students inflow: The incoming exchange students’ prior knowledge varies a lot. It is not possible to have them attend a preparatory programme at the moment, since the bachelor courses are only taught in Dutch. We strive for more concrete agreements with sending institutions.
This study programme is accredited by the Accreditation Organization of the Netherlands and Flanders (Dutch: NVAO). Accreditation was extended following the positive outcome of the institutional review in 2022. Programme quality was validated by a quality review, i.e. a screening of the Education Monitor by the Education Quality Board. The Quality Assurance Resolution (in Dutch) can be found here.
This information was last updated on 14/02/2023.
In case of questions or suggestions with regard to the publicly available information, please contact the study programme.