Program Overview

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Program Overview

Polymer science is an interdisciplinary science that examines polymers, in other words macromolecular substances. These substances play an important, and often invaluable, role in all areas of life as plastics, active agents, and materials. As an application-oriented and cross-disciplinary field, polymer science encompasses all aspects of the investigation, description, manufacture, processing, and application of polymer materials and macromolecular substances while also drawing upon methods from chemistry, physics, and engineering.

The Polymer Science master's program is an internationally-oriented degree program with a strong research focus and is jointly offered by Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, the University of Potsdam, and Technische Universität Berlin. Due to these renowned universities' location in the science hot spot of Berlin-Brandenburg, the program offers students unique opportunities to network as well as highly skilled teaching combined with an excellent infrastructure and equipment.

Program Details

• Degree: Master of Science
• Standard period of study: 4 semesters
• Credit points: 120
• Program start: Irregular
• Admission: Restricted admission
• Language of instruction: English

Admission Requirements

As for every other master's degree program, applicants to the Polymer Science master's program must possess a first university degree qualifying them for professional work, such as a bachelor's. Further details can be found in the degree program's application and admission regulations.

• Applicants must submit proof of sufficient language skills at the time of application, for instance with test results from TOEFL (PBT 510 points/CBT 225 points/iBT 90 points) or IELTS (6.5 points) or equivalent.
• As this study program is significantly made up of natural science content, you should have knowledge of as well as an interest in this field.

Program Structure

This is a two-year master's program composed of a basic phase with compulsory modules (60 credit points), a specialization phase with elective modules (30 credit points), and a master's thesis (30 credit points).

• During the first year, you concentrate on the principles of polymer science, including:
  • Polymer Chemistry/Synthesis (Freie Universität Berlin)
  • Polymer Physics/Characterization (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin)
  • Polymer Engineering/Processing (Technische Universität Berlin)
  • Polymer Properties/Colloids (University of Potsdam)
• The second year includes the following advanced content:
  • In-depth courses and lab work in a special discipline (for the most part at one of the four universities)
  • The master's thesis (at the same university) and the thesis defense, culminating with an M.Sc. in Polymer Science (jointly awarded by all 4 universities)

Study and Examination Regulations

The study and examination regulations for the degree program provide detailed information about the program structure, module descriptions, and examination procedures.

• Current version: Polymer Science M.Sc. 2024
• Older version: Polymer Science M.Sc. 2013

Content and Modules

The curriculum focuses on concepts and experimental and theoretical methods of polymer chemistry, polymer physics, and polymer technology as they reflect the current state of research.

• The following modules are to be completed during the basic phase:
  • Introduction to Macromolecular Chemistry (5 CP)
  • Advanced Macromolecular Chemistry (5 CP)
  • Polymer Synthesis and Characterization Laboratory (5 CP)
  • Polymer Characterization (5 CP)
  • Introduction to Polymer Theory (5 CP)
  • Polymerization Technology (5 CP)
  • Polymer Processing and Surface Science of Polymers (5 CP)
  • Functional Polymers and Colloids (5 CP)
  • Physical and Technical Applications of Polymers (5 CP)
  • Colloids and Biopolymers (5 CP)
• The specialization phase during the second year is composed of elective modules in chemistry, physics, and engineering, or from modules in the transdisciplinary compulsory elective component (15 CP) as well as elective modules in research projects (15 CP).

Internships

Lab work is generally conducted during the program in the labs of the participating institutes.

• Labs include both supervised components (e.g., preliminary and subsequent discussion of the experiments) and a larger amount of independent coursework (e.g., independent practical execution of trials, their evaluation, and lab report write-ups).
• During your studies, it is also possible to conduct research projects, in which you work on a definitive project from current research.

Stays Abroad

You can generally complete parts of the program abroad, either in the form of a semester abroad or internships.

• During your stay abroad, you must take classes and exams for which you can receive credit that can then be attributed to the modules you would otherwise take in Germany during the same period of the program.
• The third course semester is recommended as a suitable mobility window.

Acquired Skills

As a graduate of this master's program, you possess in-depth knowledge of all topic areas of polymer science.

• You are familiar with the terminology, particularities, and boundaries of polymer science and are able to apply your technical understanding to new problems and situations - including in an interdisciplinary context.
• Due to your specialization during the second year, you will have mastered polymer chemistry, polymer physics, or polymer technology to a special degree; possess knowledge and practical skills in selected areas reflecting the current state of research; and be able to analyze and critically assess problems in polymer science, autonomously develop solutions, and assess their impacts in a comprehensive context.

After Your Studies

Your degree qualifies you for a professional career in polymer science and the polymer industry.

• You can, for example, pursue doctoral studies in chemistry, physics, or engineering, or work in research and development, processing and application technology, or production and analytics.
• With a Master of Science in polymer science, you are also able to find employment in the patent system, science management, marketing and sales, education, management, IT, consulting, and media.