Master of Science in Sustainable Materials Engineering
The programme Master of Science in Materials Engineering: sustainable materials aims at the study of properties, production or extraction, processing, use and recycling of a whole range of materials.Dealing with limited resource availability worldwide in a sustainable way is an important objective of the programme. Important classes of materials dealt with are metals, synthetic materials, textiles, composites and ceramics.
What
The programme Master of Science in Materials Engineering: sustainable materials aims at the study of properties, production or extraction, processing, use and recycling of a whole range of materials. This implies:
- description and modelling of properties of material
- schemical, mechanical and thermal processing aspects in materials engineering
- effect of the chemical composition and processing conditions on the structure and properties of materials in view of optimal performance
- behaviour of materials in different user circumstances and how degradation can be limited.
Dealing with limited resource availability worldwide in a sustainable way is an important objective of the programme. Important materials dealt with are metals, synthetic materials, textiles, composites and ceramics.
Aandachtspunten
For whom
The admission requirements depend on previous degrees (type of degree, country of issue etc ...) or additonal experience.
Structure
In order to specialise in specific types of materials, students can choose between two majors. The major Metal Science and Engineering focuses on metals with emphasis on understanding and developing innovative, light metals used in constructions where these metals have to fulfil increasingly stringent safety requirements. Both optimisation of the chemical composition (alloy formation) and processing are discussed in detail. Ceramic materials are also highlighted. The concept of sustainability is addressed. On the one hand, the student will acquire knowledge to understand why a material deteriorates and how surface engineering can increase its life span. On the other hand, the student will learn to process metals from secondary sources, such as scrap or e-waste, and will understand that metals can be produced that are equally performing as metals produced from primary raw materials (ores).
Further, emphasis is put on modelling. You will become familiar with the available options to simulate the material properties and their evolution and subsequently will learn to adequately interpret the outcome of these simulations.
The major Polymers and Fibre Structures focuses on polymers, especially on fibre based structures. Polymers are the main raw material of fibres, next to ceramic and mineral ones. The programme covers the materials and their physical, chemical and mechanical processing and treatment. Emphasis is put on the technology, the behaviour of the fibres and yarns during processing and the fundamental properties of the structures. By providing a physical or chemical after treatment to textile materials, additional properties (added value) can be achieved. The theory of colour, colour formation and perception and the treatment of different dye types including their application are described. As such, students obtain an understanding of textile materials and processes with special attention to the development of products with specific functionalities (flame retardant, crease resistant, antibacterial, soil resistant …). Nanotechnology and biotechnological materials and processes are discussed. A lot of attention is paid to the development of artificial turf for sports and other recreational purposes. A specific type of functional materials relates to intelligent (interactive) textile materials. Thematic clusters of elective courses offer students the possibility to further concentrate on specific materials (possibly from the other major), or on specific themes such as ecology, nanotechnology, smart materials, chemistry or business oriented technical and non-technical topics.
In both majors students have two possibilities: either an advanced programme of materials sciences or a more broad approach (by choosing a Minor) which – next to a thorough study of materials science – gives the opportunity to specialise in one of the following fields: Management, Environment and Sustainable Development, Automotive Production Engineering.
Labour Market
Graduates (Masters in Materials Engineering) –like all other engineers (Masters in Engineering)– have a wide range of possibilities. The demand for engineers (MSc in Engineering) exceeds the number of graduates available including material science engineers. Graduates have careers in industry, public service or scientific research. Fundamental and applied scientific research concentrates 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 in academic and industrial research centres. In industry, material science engineers have technical, commercial or management positions.
Traditional and new important industrial sectors for experts in materials are: the metal industry, both production and processing such as recycling of metals, assembly plants, chemical companies (corrosion or process engineer and material selection), machine manufacturers, micro-electronics companies (semiconductors), supervisory bodies and expertise centres (material properties and study of insurance claims) …
Material science engineers often work together with mechanical engineers, architects or chemists but have a specific complementary profile which is of vital importance in the implementation of engineering projects. Textiles and polymers also belong to materials engineering. The textile and clothing sector is still one of the main industries and a growing sector. Innovation and development of advanced products for new markets and the application of new technologies are essential for a healthy industry. This requires an increasing number of Masters in Engineering with a specialisation in Materials Engineering. They hold leading positions in the development, production and sale of advanced textile materials. Such textile materials are used in almost all industries, from beverages and food to foams, electronics, pharmacy, medicine, agriculture, transport (e.g. composites) etc. In these industries, job opportunities are available for material science engineers as well.
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:
www.ugent.be/nl/univgent/waarvoor-staat-ugent/onderwijsbeleid
www.ugent.be/en/ghentuniv/principles/educational-strategy/qualityassurance.htm
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.
Weaknesses
- 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.