This English-taught Master's degree is delivered by an interdisciplinary team of researchers and lecturers, combining expertise from several scientific fields to prepare you for careers in both industry and research institutions focused on contemporary materials science. The curriculum emphasizes the targeted development of new materials (materials design) and the production of components with tailored properties—topics that require both academically driven and application-oriented research and a clear understanding of structure–property relationships.
A central focus of the programme is the use of advanced instrumental methods for solid-state analysis, physical measurement techniques and elements of semiconductor technology. Graduates gain in-depth knowledge of how to characterise materials, interpret functional relationships and apply that understanding to materials development and component manufacture. Such specialised skills are in steady demand across academic labs, R&D departments and high-tech industries.
Curriculum overview
This two-year master’s programme is designed to be completed in a minimum of four semesters. Teaching is entirely in English and the intake is in the winter semester. The course of study begins with a common, joint first semester that gives all students a shared foundation in advanced materials analysis before they progress into focused study.
After the joint semester students select one of two specialist tracks: Solid State Analytics or Semiconductor Technology and Devices. The Solid State Analytics track concentrates on advanced approaches to understanding and characterising materials, while the Semiconductor Technology and Devices track emphasises the principles and methods relevant to semiconductor components and their performance. Throughout the programme you can broaden or deepen your profile by choosing compulsory elective modules from the programme catalogue as well as free electives from across the university.
The final semester is dedicated to the Master’s thesis, where you carry out an independent research project that integrates the knowledge and skills gained during the taught semesters. Graduates will be able to apply advanced analytical concepts to materials problems, specialise in either analytics or semiconductor technology, synthesise interdisciplinary knowledge, and conduct and present independent scientific research in English.
Program requirements (key points)
This Master's programme is aimed at students who want to deepen their understanding of solid materials down to the atomic scale by combining perspectives from natural science (physics, chemistry) and engineering. It deliberately recruits candidates from a variety of science and engineering backgrounds to foster an interdisciplinary learning environment and collaborative teamwork between scientists and engineers.
Successful applicants are expected to have a solid foundation in materials- or solid-state-related topics so they can engage with both experimental and analytical aspects of materials behaviour. The programme is particularly suited to those who want to apply physics- and chemistry-based approaches to engineering problems and vice versa.
Admission is subject to academic prerequisites and an assessment test. Applicants should be aware that degrees titled “Mechanical Engineering” will generally not meet the entry requirements unless the student’s prior studies included the specific materials- or solid-state topics listed below.
Admission requirements (summary)
Winter Semester (International)
15 April 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
15 April 2026
Graduates are prepared for analytical and development roles in materials-focused industries, semiconductor companies, quality and failure analysis laboratories, and research institutes. Typical positions include materials analyst, device/materials development engineer, laboratory scientist for characterization techniques, and roles in quality assurance or technical consulting.
The programme also provides a solid foundation for doctoral studies in materials science, solid-state physics or semiconductor research by training students in experimental design, data analysis and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Trier University of Applied Sciences — Birkenfeld
Technische Universität Braunschweig — Braunschweig
Furtwangen University — Villingen-Schwenningen
University of Siegen — Siegen