Materials Chemistry and Mineralogy University of Bremen

Faculty of Biology/Chemistry

Courses are held in English. Reports, presentations, and the Master's thesis should be written in English.

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.

Programme start: mid-October
Enrolment is possible online.

We recommend joining the courses in person. However, most teaching material is available online. Practical courses require attendance. Exams require attendance, too.

Deferment of admission is not possible.

All students need to apply online between the beginning of March and the end of April for the intake in October.

Application deadline: 30 April

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. 

No, only voluntary

No tuition fees

Approx. 450 EUR

Approx. 1,200 EUR/month

• Explicit interest in natural sciences and materials, their use, characterisation and development
• Bachelor of Science (or a comparable qualification) in a field in natural science with a specialisation in chemistry, crystallography, materials science, or mineralogy
• at least 10 ECTS credit points or an equivalent amount of courses of the curriculum in mathematics, physics, and chemistry (each)
• at least 24 ECTS credit points or an equivalent amount of courses of the curriculum in mineralogy, crystallography, materials science, and/or in chemistry
• successful participation in the aptitude test
• very good command of the English language (see below)
• ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• intercultural competence

Applicants must provide proof of their English skills.
English: internationally recognised proficiency test, level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, e.g. TOEFL, IELTS

Laptop or computer with good Internet connection, laptop camera, microphone

A headset is recommended.

All students need to apply online between the beginning of March and the end of April for the intake in October.

Application deadline: 30 April

Well qualified students with good grades can apply for the "Deutschlandstipendium"

https://www.uni-bremen.de/deutschlandstipendiat

Well-qualified students may find a job as a student assistant in one of the working groups at the involved departments. Access is limited and by no means guaranteed, and the salary is not sufficient to cover living expenses.

Dormitories and private accommodation are available; prices for rent are reasonable in Bremen.

Career advisory service at the Department of Geosciences:
Studien- & Praxisbüro Geowissenschaften
Dr Ulrike Wolf-Brozio
wolfbroz@uni-bremen.de

Career advisory service at the university:
Career Center
Petra Droste
pdroste@uni-bremen.de