Master of Science in Chemical and Materials Engineering
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
About this program
Master of Science in Chemical and Materials Engineering
Engineers in chemistry and materials sciences play a unique role in sustainable development. They manage resources, energy and the environment to develop and produce novel materials and chemical commodities. This master’s Program prepares you to face the demands of the modern technological employment field. With English as the working language, you are ready to start an international career and help shape the future.
Integration of Process Technology and Materials
This programme encompasses two distinct profiles: Process Technology and Materials. The master’s programme has a common core of 56 ECTS, ensuring a strong mutual interaction and integration between both profiles.
- Process Technology: The Process Technology profile prepares you to become an engineer who can be employed in, for example, production units (operation and optimisation of production facilities). Alternatively, you could work in an engineering group, where you’d develop new production processes that meet performance specifications. The profile mainly focuses on the chemical industry, but also looks at biotechnology and the food industry. You’ll be trained to identify, solve and avoid environmental problems.
- Materials: The Materials profile thoroughly prepares you for a job in the materials technology sector of metals, polymers, ceramics and composites. You’ll be trained to become a creative engineer, capable of designing sustainable and multi-functional materials for specific applications. You’ll also develop skills to engineer intermediate or finished products with these materials, using environmentally friendly and safe production processes.
Admission requirements
- Academic requirements:
- You have or will soon have a Bachelor's degree in engineering sciences of at least three years, or consisting of at least 180 ECTS credits or equivalent (such as 130 US credits or semester contact hours)
- You have an overall degree above average, which in the US grading means level B or a GPA of minimum 3 out of 4. For conversion to the US grading system please consult this page.
- You have obtained a minimum of 20 ECTS credits or equivalent in mathematics courses, and 15 ECTS or equivalent in other fundamental science courses such as chemistry, physics and mechanics.
- You have obtained a score above average for the mathematics courses, which means a score of minimum 3 out of 4, 14 out of 20 or equivalent B level.
- Language requirements:
Proof of English proficiency is compulsory and can be documented by the following certificates (provided by the institution):
- having successfully completed secondary or higher education with English as the sole language of instruction;
- having successfully completed Belgian secondary education;
- A language test: TOEFL IBT (min. 79), IELTS (min. 6.5), ITACE (min. B2) or Cambridge English (min. scale score 170) are accepted.
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Program content
Common Core Chemical and Materials Engineering
Common Core I: compulsory courses
- Molecular structural characterization and analysis
- Electrochemistry
- Parameter Estimation and Modelling
- Microstructural design and characterization of inorganic materials
- Surface treatment: Processing and Analysis
- Organic Chemistry: Reactions and Mechanisms
- Polymer Materials
- Unit operations
Common Core I: project
- Project: Process technology
- Project: Multifunctional Materials
- Development Cooperation Project
- Team Leader Project
Common Core II: compulsory courses
- Environmental Technology
- Biotechnology
- Reliability and risk analysis of industrial installations
Specific Courses
- Profile Materials
- Profile Process Technology
Master Thesis
- Master Thesis Chemical and Materials Engineering
Elective Courses
Option 1: Internship
- Internship (60 days)
Option 2: Elective courses
- Industrial Techniques for Water Management
- Micro- and Nanobiotechnology
- Molecular and Biomolecular Engineering
- Environmental Engineering: Current Methods and Practices
- Recycling of inorganic materials
- Fuel Cells and Batteries
- Surface physics and surface characterization
- Internship (40 days)
- Polymer chemistry
- Manufacturing Technology I
- Manufacturing Technology II
- Heterogeneous catalysis
- Nanochemistry and -technology
- Ceramics
- Non-Destructive Testing of Materials
- Materials Selection
- Biocompatible and nanostructured materials
- Advanced Thermal Analysis
Option 3: Entrepreneurship
- Introduction to Business
- Innovation Management
- Management and sustainable development: constraints and opportunities
- Seminar of emerging technologies
- Introduction to entrepreneurship
- English for Professional Purposes
- Entrepreneurship
- Logistics, quality and supply chain management I
- Business Aspects of Innovation in Materials
- Technological Business Development Project
- Technological Business Development Project
- IP Management and Technology Transfer
Tuition
EEA students: 835 Euro per year.
Non-EEA students: 2,782 Euro per year.
Continuing studies
After graduation students can continue their academic careers as a PhD researchers.
Career paths
A master degree opens doors in many different branches and sectors. You will be able to work in the private sector, (non-) governmental organisations. Not sure what your next step should be? The VUB helps you with your first steps on the job market.
Materials and chemical commodities are essential in many technological sectors. Graduates of our department are in high demand in various industrial sectors, and our
alumni are making an impact around the world in research, manufacturing, business
management and education.
Graduates are found in the biomedical biotechnology, chemical engineering, materials for energy, electronic, optical, (in) organic and metallic materials, the pharmaceutical industry, government positions and teaching.
The VUB helps you to make your first step in the job market with workshops, networking events, job fairs, tips ‘n tricks for job interviews. All an ambitious student needs!
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About this institute
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
VUB is a public and modern university located in Brussels, the heart of Europe. Ranked as one of the world’s top universities, it offers a full range of bachelor’s and master’s programmes taught in English. The University counts over 21,500...
Why study at Vrije Universiteit Brussel
When moving about in Brussels, you hear a lot of different languages. That’s no coincidence, because the city is a melting pot of cultures. With 35% of the population of foreign origin, you can expect a rich cultural environment. Brussels is home to the EU Institutions and several affiliates, NATO HQ, diplomatic representation offices, headquarters for many international companies, NGOs, trade associations, one of the world’s largest press corps, as well as a whole host of international and European schools.
It goes without saying that Brussels offers unique career opportunities. As the home to more than 2,000 international organisations and companies, it offers a wide range of internship possibilities and future career options. Flagship areas include ICT and communication, life tech, finance and law consulting, communications and media agencies, and creative industries.
VUB Education Delivers Strong Individuals, Critical Minds & World Citizens
Interactive and personal
Being a medium-sized university has its advantages. First of all, it allows frequent personal contact between students, professors and teaching assistants. This is part of a real direct contact culture that is well embedded within the university. Additionally, students are strongly encouraged to interact with each other through group assignments within the curriculum and through the various extracurricular activities.
Choice and flexibility
VUB offers a full range of programmes taught in English where the key concept is flexibility. A system of majors and minors enables students to plan and personalise their curriculum in a way that best meets their interests.
Guidance and service
It is important to VUB to help students familiarise themselves with university life and to provide good guidance. Educational counsellors and study advisers provide students with personalised study guidance on a range of topics. The International Relations office provides students with information on university life and facilitates their integration by organising cultural, social and sports activities with student associations. They also provide information on administrative aspects regarding living in Belgium.
Contact info
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
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