MSc Engineering Materials Science
The master's programme in Engineering Materials Science has a cross-functional approach, focusing on the understanding of existing materials, processes and applications, as well as the development of new ones. Students can specialise in Industrial Materials, Materials and Process Design, or Sustainable Materials. Graduates have valuable expertise in materials science needed in many industries and sectors, for example, manufacturing, automotive and energy.
Engineering Materials Science at KTH
The master's programme in Engineering Materials Science offers specialisation in three tracks: Industrial Materials, Materials and Process Design and Sustainable Materials. At the beginning of the first semester, you choose which track you want to study.
Industrial Materials track
The Industrial Materials track has a focus on both Process Science (process), metallurgy and principles for the production of metals, including industrial processes in terms of economic and recycling perspective, Materials Design (structure) in terms of designing structures and mechanical properties of materials using theory in thermodynamics and kinetics, and Materials Properties (properties), fundamental knowledge of mechanical metallurgy and metal forming mechanics.
Through the choice of courses, the student may decide to specialise in Materials Design, Process Science or, preferably, a combination of both areas. However, topics like casting, metal forming, powder metallurgy (additive manufacturing), experimental methods, quantum metallurgy (ab initio), team leadership, project management, economical process analyses and product innovation, combustion in industrial processes and energy and materials sustainability, corrosion and surface protection are all vital parts of the programme. This gives the education both a large width as well as knowledge and skills with a deep technical depth. The track is suited for students with a solid background in Materials Science and Engineering, and Metallurgy.
Materials and Process Design track
Materials and Process Design has, like Industrial Materials, a focus on metallic materials, processes, structure and properties. The track has an arrangement involving introductory courses in the first semester, which means that the track can be followed by students without prior in-depth materials or metallurgical knowledge. Through the choice of courses, the student may decide to specialise in Materials Design, Process Science or a combination of both areas. This track is suited for students with a great interest in Materials Science and Engineering, and Metallurgy, and with a prior background in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Chemistry or Engineering Physics.
Sustainable Materials track
Sustainable Materials, like Industrial Materials, focus mainly on metallic materials, processes, structure and properties but also on substitution/replacement and recycling process technology with a sustainable cycle-based approach to raw materials (circular economy). The track involves courses in innovation and entrepreneurship, recycling, and designing products for sustainability (eco-design). This track is suited for students with a background in Materials Science and Engineering, Metallurgy or Mechanical Engineering.
This is a two-year programme (120 ECTS credits) given in English. Graduates are awarded the degree of Master of Science. The programme is given mainly at KTH Campus in Stockholm by the School of Industrial Engineering and Management (at KTH).
Students
Find out what students from the programme think about their time at KTH.
Career
Graduates from the programme are in great demand in the Stockholm and in the rest of Sweden, Europe and the world. There are many job opportunities in sectors that are directly associated with metallurgy – such as iron, steel and other metal-producing industries (for example, powder metallurgy and hard metal). However, as a material specialist with outstanding knowledge about metals, you will find that your knowledge is of importance in the automotive industry, manufacturing industry, aerospace industry, companies in the energy sector, the public sector, the environmental sector or private enterprises. Graduates from the programme work at companies such as Sandvik, SSAB, Outokumpu, Swerim and Scania.
The programme also provides a solid scientific foundation for further research studies at KTH or abroad after graduating.
Sustainable development
Graduates from KTH have the knowledge and tools for moving society in a more sustainable direction, as sustainable development is an integral part of all programmes. The three key sustainable development goals addressed by the master's programme in Engineering Materials Science are:
Affordable and Clean Energy: Access to energy is a prerequisite for achieving many of the sustainable development goals set by the UN. Materials play an essential role in meeting the strong demand for renewable energy, for example, engineering and functional materials for harvesting energy from the sun, wind and ocean waves. In the master’s programme in Engineering Materials Science, you can take courses to design materials for such applications.
Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: The present and future challenges we face in achieving the UN sustainable development goals require all sectors transition to sustainable energy production. Industries must work with continuous improvements throughout their organisations and be willing to take risks to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable society. Achieving this relies on trained engineers in many fields, including materials science. The master’s programme in Engineering Materials Science prepares you for taking a leading role in change and research projects.
Climate Action: Climate change poses a clear and present danger for our planet. An important part of the actions against climate change is reducing CO2 emissions. When you take the master’s programme in Engineering Materials Science, you will learn about and meet researchers working in the HYBRIT project, which aims to enable fossil-free steel production.
Faculty and research
Materials science deals with the relationship between behaviour - properties - structure-production. Therefore, the research spans several areas of science such as quantum mechanics, solution chemistry, corrosion theory, the metallurgy of steel and other metals, foundry technology, ceramics, thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, energy, fracture mechanics and materials. The Department of Materials Science and Engineering coordinates the programme and contributes to the majority of the courses given.
