Studierende in der Schmelzhalle des Otto-Schott-Instituts für Glaschemie

Materials Sciences

Study information
Studierende in der Schmelzhalle des Otto-Schott-Instituts für Glaschemie
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)
Key facts
Degree
Master of Science
Duration
4 Semesters
Credits/ECTS
120
Teaching language
German
Tuition fee
None
Semester contribution
€ 272,65
Start of studies
Winter semester, Summer semester
Part-time possible
Yes
Institutions
Faculty of Chemistry and Earth Science
Faculty of Physics and Astronomy
Otto Schott Institute of Materials Research
Application & Deadlines

Programme summary

The interdisciplinary Material Sciences master's programme is designed for students with a bachelor's degree in Material Sciences, Chemistry, Physics and related disciplines. It is possible to start the programme in the summer and winter semesters.

Materials play a key role in many applications and innovations. They form a bridge between different fields of knowledge, for example from microbiology and medicine to environmental and energy technology. The Material Science master's programme therefore enables you to approach and solve complex materials-related problems in an interdisciplinary manner. The technical-scientific and conceptual competences that are taught in the programme include primarily knowledge and skills about the different classes of materials, the methods of their characterisation and analysis. The aim is to promote a better understanding of the way structure-property relationships and their adaptation/modification through technological processes are interrelated.

The regular duration of the programme is 4 semesters and it is divided into three learning stages.

In the first stage of two semesters, general knowledge in natural and materials science is taught in the compulsory modules of Solid State Physics and Computer-Aided Materials Science. Parallel to this, students choose specialisation courses in two of the three current specialisation areas of Glass and Optical Materials, Materials for Energy and Environmental Technology, and Biomaterials in the compulsory elective modules. In addition to this, students can customise their studies by choosing from a broad range of further compulsory elective modules.

The second learning stage begins in the third semester and, in addition to the compulsory elective modules, includes the Advanced Internship and Introduction to Scientific Work and Project Planning modules, which both provide the opportunity to spend a semester abroad. The Advanced Internship module allow students to do longer research internships, which serves to systematically gain specialist knowledge in selected areas of materials science. In the Introduction to Scientific Work and Project Planning module, students learn to independently acquire knowledge from international literature, to critically examine scientific results and to derive conclusions for their own objectives. In preparation for the master's thesis, they also learn the methodology of scientific work through active participation in research projects and the presentation of scientific results.

Finally, in the third stage, students complete their studies by writing their master's thesis.

The master's programme also allows students to specialise in one of the current fields of Glass and Optical Materials, Materials for Energy and Environmental Technology, and Biomaterials. The specialisation will be shown on the master's degree certificate.

Career opportunities

On graduating from the Material Science master's programme, graduates will be qualified to work in the development of new materials and products, in manufacturing and quality assurance and in the assessment of damage cases at national and international research institutes such as Max Planck, Leibniz, Helmholtz and Fraunhofer or NASA, ESA etc. and in all branches of industry (vehicle construction / automotive, aerospace, mechanical engineering, metal processing, chemical industry, energy and environmental technology, electrical industry, optical industry, glass and ceramics, medical technology, mining and metallurgy, building materials, paper ...).

Admission requirements

  • Undergraduate degree or equivalent

    For this master's programme you need a subject-specific bachelor degree (minimum 6 semesters/180 ECTS-Credits) or a recognised equivalent.

  • Language requirements

    This master's programme requires the following language proficiency:   

    • English langauge proficiency at level B1.
    • International applicants: German language proficiency at minimum level DSH-2 (or a recognised equivalent).

Application documents

  • CV

    Your CV should have a tabular form, containing key information on your school record and academic career.

  • Motivation letter

    A motivation letter should not exceed the size of two DIN A4-pages and normally, it should contain information on your motivation for taking up this course of studies. You should  elaborate on the following essential questions:

    • Why do you desire taking up this specific course of studies?
    • What are - in your opinion - the main features that this course of studies excels in?
    • Which features of this course have inspired your application? 
    • Why Jena?

     

  • University entrance qualification certificate

    Please upload at the online application system your university entrance certificate/school leaving certificate. Usually, this means the school graduation diploma (German "Abitur"), i.e. the diploma that makes you eligible for studies at an University or other institution for higher education. Be mindful of the fact that here, we do not need any University diploma but a High School diploma! 

  • Previous university degrees earned

    All previous University degrees (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, etc.) if available before the application deadline - if not, please make a note of the anticipated date of issue of your degree certificate. Please upload your University degree or the most actual, detailed transcript of records/ mark sheet of all semesters available to you, should you not hold your degree certificate at the time of application. The main document is the degree/ transcript based on which you apply for the master programme.

  • Detailed transcript of records

    Detailed transcript of records/ mark sheet of your first, subject-specific University degree, with which you apply for the master's programme. This transcript MUST contain an overall cumulative grade point average or average mark.

  • Proof of relevant work experience

    Should you have obtained subject-specific work experience, you can upload corresponding certificates in order to support your application. 

  • Proof of subject-specific practical experience

    Should you have obtained subject-specific practical experience (e.g. by internships etc.), you can upload corresponding certificates in order to support your application. 

  • Language requirements

    You have to submit the following proof of language proficiency:

    • Proficiency in English language at level B1

Additional application documents for international students

  • Proof of German language proficiency

    For German taught master's programmes, i.e. programmes with (predominantly) German as language of instruction, a sufficient German language proficiency proof is mandatory. Please see the information on the language requirements for the master's programme of your interest on the corresponding website.

    The Friedrich Schiller University Jena accepts the following certificates as German language proficiency proof exclusively:

    • the Goethe-Zertifikat C2 (GDS),
    • the Deutsche Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz (DSD II),
    • the TestDaF, minimum TDN 4 in all four parts of the examination,
    • Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH), min. level 2 (= DSH-2),
    • Certificate telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule (min. level "befriedigend"),
    • a German language examination in the framework of an assessment test at a preparatory college.


    Please note: If you do not have the required mandatory German language proficiency proof at the time of applying, you may only apply if you can provide a certificate attesting your German language skills at least at level B2 (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) as well as a confirmation that you have either registered for the DSH examination, the TestDaF or an equivalent examination or that you have sat it and are going to receive the results before the end of the current semester.

    There is also the possibility to apply for the (chargeable) "German Language Course Preparing for the German Language Examination (DSH)" at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena. Please note: Prerequisites for the application for the preparatory course are language skills at least at the certificate level B1 / GER (e.g. Goethe-Zertifikat B1, TestDaF at least 4x3 and/or 800 teaching units from a recognized language school). For detailed information on the application and further information, please visit the website of the International Office or contact the International Office directly via Mail.

    Shortly before taking the DSH-2-Examination or after successfully passing it, you are welcome to apply for a German taught master's programme!

    The following applicants are exempted from providing proof of their German language skills:

    • Applicants, who have obtained a German taught bachelor's degree within one of the following countries: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. This applies only to degrees that were awarded by a university in the relevant country (no satellite campuses or international branch campuses in other countries, no correspondence course degrees, no joint- or double-degrees with institutions in other countries);
    • Holders of a German, Austrian or Swiss (from school where the language of instruction is German) university entrance qualification.
  • Translation of foreign/external application documents

    Every mandatory application document from foreign/external countries must also be available in either English OR German translation. Such a translation has to be conducted by officially acknowledged/ sworn translators or translation offices.

  • Proof of grading system

    External/foreign degree certificates/ transcripts of records must contain information on the grading system (= description of the maximum grade possible and the minimum passing grade) used at the respective University. 

  • Certificate APS

    Applicants with degrees from India, Vietnam or China must submit the original APS-certificate issued by the German Embassy.

  • University entrance exam

    Applicants from the following countries must submit a certificate of their university entrance examination/college entrance examination:

    • Iran (College entrance examination certificate or certificate of pre-university course/year)
    • Republic of Korea/South Korea: SAT (Scholastic Ability Test)
    • People's Republic of China: College entrance examination certificate ("Gaokao")
Subject Advisor - Prof. Dr. Marek Sierka
Student Representatives Physics/ Material Sciences
Master Service Centre

Office hours:
Telephone consultation:
Tuesday - Thursday
10 am - 11 am

Personal consultation:
Tuesday - Thursday
2 pm - 3 pm

Live chat:
mondays
10 am - 12 noon

Ticket enquiries via Service Desk at: www.uni-jena.de/service-msz

Postal address:
Friedrich Schiller University Jena
Master Service Centre (MSZ)
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena

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