Master of Science in Materials Engineering

Transcription

1 Master of Science in Materials Engineering Faculty of Engineering Science KU Leuven. Inspiring the outstanding.

2 Department of Materials Engineering The Department of Materials Engineering (MTM) leverages its state-of-the-art infrastructure to study scientific and industrial problems from a multidisciplinary perspective. It is involved in several strategic research fields on structural and functional materials for sustainable transport, energy and health solutions. Its vibrant team of international researchers works both in experimental and compu - tational materials science and attracts many young researchers from around the world. MTM is also the driving force behind the KU Leuven Materials Research Centre (LMRC) ( Discover KU Leuven Situated in Belgium, in the heart of Western Europe, KU Leuven has been a centre of learning for nearly six centuries. Today, it is Belgium's largest and highest-ranked university and, founded in 1425, one of the oldest and most renowned universities in Europe. As a leading European research university and co-founder of the League of European Research Universities (LERU), KU Leuven offers a wide variety of international master s programmes, all supported by high-quality, innovative, interdisciplinary research. Since its founding, KU Leuven has been based in the city that shares its name. Leuven is a pleasant, safe and bustling student town, where centuries-rich history meets cuttingedge science. The university also offers degree programmes at campuses in 11 Belgian cities, including Brussels, Ghent and Antwerp. Department of Materials Engineering Materials are at the heart of our quality of life and economic welfare, and that will increasingly be the case in the future, as the need to use resources wisely and contribute to a sustainable world increases. Materials engineers invent, design and use materials for products, processes and services. They also implement these activities based on an in-depth understanding of materials processing, the structure of materials, materials properties, and the intricate interrelationships between all of these factors.

3 The Master of Materials Engineering programme is composed of a set of core courses covering both the fundamentals and principles of materials science and engineering in combination with more specialised, option-specific courses and a number of electives. The programme offers 4 options, each one addressing a different material family : Metals and Ceramics Polymers and Composites Nanomaterials Biomaterials In addition to this, you choose one of the following professional profiles : Research Production Management The programme is geared towards educating young people who want to participate in this developmental process as researchers, development engineers or production engineers. The programme focuses on the basic concepts as well as on the emerging trends in materials engineering and covers the development of materials, the study of material properties, optimising processing routes, as well as characterisation and evaluation of final products. The programme also offers ample opportunity to develop strong analytical skills and problem solving abilities, for example through the incorporation of case studies and mini-projects that familiarise the student with the development, processing, characterisation and evaluation of the most important material families. Moreover, practical experience will be gained in advanced material characterisation and evaluation as well as modelling techniques. Students will have frequent contact with industrial partners through plant visits, practical exercises and internships. In the master s thesis, students will apply their knowledge to a research topic of choice. These topics are usually embedded in a cuttingedge research project in cooperation with other institutions and industrial companies. Graduates equipped with a master s degree in Materials Science play a crucial role in the fields of materials research and development as well as materials production and recycling. Profile The ideal candidate is strongly motivated to pursue a career in materials science and engineering or in industrial sectors dealing with materials. The programme builds on the basics of engineering science: physics, mathematics, chemistry and mechanics. It is also assumed that the student has already covered the fundamental courses in the materials engineering curriculum (structures, microstructures, mechanical behaviour of materials, transport phenomena, thermodynamics and kinetics) prior to starting the master s programme. Transition courses, however, are also organised for those who have followed a bachelor s programme that did not provide all of these fundamental courses. Our master s programme provides the sound scientific knowledge needed for graduates to excel in the development and evaluation of new materials and processes applicable in the wide field of materials science and engineering. Additionally, communication, presentation and social skills will be honed in an international environment.

4 Admission requirements Holders of the following degrees are eligible for admission after positive evaluation of a complete application file: Bachelor of Science in Engineering (or equivalent diploma) Depending on your bachelor s programme, you may be required to follow preparatory courses before moving on to the full programme. Applicants are required to demonstrate their proficiency in English, either by proving that some of their previous studies were successfully completed in English, or by submitting results of a recognised language proficiency test or another equivalent English test: TOEFL test: total of 85 with a minimum of 20 for speaking and 20 for writing (internetbased test), IELTS: total of 6.5 pt with a minimum of 6.0 pt for speaking and 6.0 pt for writing. Programme The programme covers two full academic years and can be followed on a full- or half-time basis. MASTER OF MATERIALS ENGINEERING COURSES 120 ECTS ECTS CORE COURSES 60 Metals: Production and Recycling 6 Metals: Thermomechanical Processing 6 Ceramics and Powder Metallurgy 6 Materials Characterisation Techniques I 6 Materials Modelling and Simulation Techniques 6 Sustainable Materials Management 3 Materials in Service 6 Surface Science and Engineering 6 Materials Physics and Technology for Nanoelectronics 6 Design and Analysis of Experimentation 3 Project Work and Problem Solving 6 OPTIONS 24 A packages: Materials Families 12 Metals and Ceramics 12 - Metals: Shaping and Joining 6 - Nanomaterials for Nanoelectronics 3 - Advanced Ceramic Materials 3

5 COURSES ECTS Polymers and Composites 12 - Polymer Processing 3 - Composites Manufacturing 3 - Mechanics of Composites 3 - Design and Application of Polymers and Composites 3 Nanomaterials 12 - Semiconductor Physics 3 - Semiconductor Devices 3 - Nanomaterials for Nanoelectronics 3 - Advanced Ceramic Materials 3 Biomaterials 12 - Biomaterials I 3 - Biomaterials II 3 - Structure, Synthesis and Cellular Function of Macromolecules 3 - Functional Anatomy of the Human Locomotor System 3 B packages: Professional Profiles 12 Research 12 - Materials Characterisation Techniques II 3 - Computational Thermodynamics 3 - Materials Modelling for Forming Simulations 3 - Scientific Writing 3 Production 12 - Industrial Internship 6 - Business Experience 3 - Hazardous Materials and Safety in Process Industries 3 Management 12 - Industrial Internship 6 - Business Experience 3 - Project Management 3 ELECTIVES 9 ADDITIONAL GENERAL INTEREST COURSES 3 MASTER S THESIS 24 For detailed descriptions of this programme s courses and for the course timetable, please consult

6 Options METALS AND CERAMICS From aircraft fuselages and turbine blades to implants, modern transportation, energy and health solutions rely on metallic and ceramic materials for both structural and functional applications. The extraordinary properties of these materials are largely due to their crystalline nature. Although both metals and ceramics are among the oldest materials developed and used by mankind, recent years have seen groundbreaking innovation in both families: in high-temperature processes for the recycling of rare earths metals from electronics scrap, in alloy design, in novel shaping processes such as 3D printing and incremental forming, and in nano powder synthesis and advanced sintering technologies. POLYMERS AND COMPOSITES The Polymers & Composites option is unique because it covers both polymers and compo - sites, preparing students for a career in the polymer and composites processing industry as well as in the aerospace, automotive, energy and sports industries, all of which are increasingly using advanced composites. The subject matter in the polymers and composites courses ranges from funda - mental theory to the most advanced characterisation, processing and simulation methods and from commodity polymers to nano composites. The Polymers and Composites option has been taught at KU Leuven for more than 20 years. The option combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience in a well-equipped composites lab. Students acquire skills in understanding and designing composite materials and are confronted with the latest scientific and technological developments. NANOMATERIALS One of the most fascinating things about the nanoscale world is that the properties of many materials change when their dimensions approach nanometers. What happens when materials only contain a few hundred atoms? Is there a way to make materials stronger and more functional by manipulating their nanostructure? Nano - technology has become a new principle in materials science and engineering. Understanding those property changes and utilising these nanostructures in the manufacture and processing of materials represent the major challenges towards implementation of nanotechnology in future applications. Recent progress in domains such as nano structured materials, nanoelec - tronics and nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) occur at a fast pace and demon - strate enormous potential of nanoengineered materials in numerous applications, such as in ICT, transport, energy production and storage, bio medical technologies, etc. Materials engineers and scientists are at the heart of the action and can expand the boundaries of our knowledge and chip away at technological constraints. Therefore, materials engineers are in high demand in various high-technology companies BIOMATERIALS New advances in biomaterial technology have led to new interfaces between materials engineering and medicine. Materials scientists, working together with doctors,

7 electricians and mechanics, are performing groundbreaking work in the biomedical sector, particularly in the area of biomateralbased implants. These implants take on the function of an organ in the human body, temporarily or permanently. Supporting, replacing and supplementing these implants all fall to the materials engineer. As do designing, manufacturing and testing the materials and material systems and their surfaces. Materials engineers are and will continue to be crucial to biomedical systems teams. While the core courses provide a solid foundational knowledge of materials, their production and modification techniques, characterisation and modeling, the Bio - materials option provides specific knowledge in areas of common ground between medicine, materials science and engineering relevant to biomedicine. Career outlook Our graduates find employment in a wide range of engineering sectors. Prominent economy-driving industries such as the automotive, aerospace, energy, micro - electronics, and chemical industries, as well as emerging sectors such as nanotech - nology, biomaterials and recycling are keen to hire qualified and talented people with a focus on materials. The materials engineer may be oriented as a process engineer, material or product developer, design specialist, quality control engineer or consultant. Graduates with an interest in research can apply for an R&D position or start a PhD. Several alumni have also gone on to start their own companies. Tuition fees The tuition fees per academic year for master s students can be found at Students also need to fund their own accommodation and living expenses. Information about general funding schemes at KU Leuven can be found on the university s website in the funding section of Living in Leuven ( studentenvoorzieningen/studentservices /index.html), where ample information can also be found concerning the cost of living in Leuven. Practical information Application instructions for international students Non-Belgian applicants must fill in the online application form ( application), print it out and send it, along with the documents requested, to the International Admissions and Mobility Office by regular mail, express mail, or registered mail. International Admissions and Mobility (IAM) Atrecht College, Naamsestraat 63 bus LEUVEN, Belgium Applications via or fax will not be accepted. Please add a photocopy of the complete file. Due to the formalities involved in preparing visa applications, non- European students should apply before 1 March at the latest. European students, for whom the application procedure is simpler and shorter, should apply preferably before 1 June. More detailed information can be found at

8 KU LEUVEN Oude Markt 13 box LEUVEN Learn more General information programmes Publications Faculty of Engineering Science Master of Materials Engineering phone: info@mtm.kuleuven.be This brochure provides the most complete and accurate information available concerning this master s programme offered at KU Leuven. However, amendments to the composition of this programme may be approved at any time. Consequently, KU Leuven is in no way legally bound by the information provided in this brochure. The most recent information on all our academic programmes can be consulted online at Last updated: January 2015 v.u.: Isabelle Van Geet, Oude Markt 13, 3000 Leuven