About ProMat

The aim is to provide an interdisciplinary education in natural sciences and engineering in order to research and develop sustainable materials and processes, particularly with a view to modern applications in energy, mobility and space exploration. These are in line with the focus of the MAPEX Centre for Materials and Processes at the University Bremen.

ProMat students

  • design their own curriculum and choose from more than 350 courses in all STEM subjects;
  • are accompanied by a personal mentor throughout the entire programme (Info);
  • familiarise themselves with the latest methods of materials and process research, particularly with regard to AI tools;
  • conduct research on modern topics of their choice and gain international experience through a research stay abroad;
  • prepare specifically for subsequent research-related activities in the academic or private sector.

The Master's degree programme Process-Oriented Materials Research is jointly supported by Faculties 1 - 5 of the University Bremen and all materials-oriented non-university research institutes in the federal state of Bremen.

The ProMat master´s studies comply with the growing complexity and interdisciplinarity within the wide area of material sciences and material technologies. In the foundation modules, students first acquire in-depth basic knowledge in mathematics, physics, chemistry, engineering and computer science tools. In the two specialization modules, they gain theoretical as well as applied and practical skills. Within these seven modules, the specific content is compiled individually on the basis of comprehensive course catalogues. Thus, the selected study content is optimally adapted to the personal interests and the already acquired competences.

Based on the individual curriculum, the program provides particular expertise in

  •     materials physics, materials chemistry and materials science;
  •     the relationship between materials properties and process parameters;
  •     the synthesis and production of materials, components and systems;
  •     methods for process control and optimisation;
  •     the computer-based modelling of materials and processes;
  •     the application of AI tools in materials science and process engineering;
  •     the sustainable development, utilisation and recycling of materials.

The research-based and internationally-oriented layout of the ProMat programme is emphasized by a specially designed module "research processes" and a compulsory research stay abroad. Through the MAPEX network and the personal mentor, all ProMat students are integrated into research activities from the first semester. The degree programme thus offers a goal-oriented preparation for further career steps, both for an academic career and for leadership positions in the industrial research and development sector.

Design your own individual curriculum and select your courses within the given module structure of ProMat out of a wide range of core subjects anchored in the MAPEX Center for Materials and Processes from faculties 1 to 5.


Here are some examples of curricula that ProMat students have chosen:

Materialmodellierung (Manuel Vollbrecht) (in German)

Elektrochemische Bio-Verfahrenstechnik (Alenica Heußner) (in German)

Faserverbundwerkstoffe (Yan Yorrick Dietrich) (in German)

Funktionale Oberflächenstrukturen - Materialbearbeitung (Reinhard Iseke) (in German)

Theorie und Simulation von Festkörpern (Erik Macke) (in German)

Werkstofftechnik polymerer Werkstoffe (Eike Krull) (in German)

The module Research Processes (9 CP) stretches over 2 semesters and plays an important role in the curriculum with the purpose of introducing students to independent scientific work.
Information on necessary research-related methodologies as well as competences like oral presentation and paper writing skills are part of the syllabus of the Research Processes. Social skills are thought through a hands-on experience by organising a scientific workshop and/or preparing the research stay abroad in small groups and under supervision. The mentioned workshop is a platform for students to meet other scientists working in the field of materials research as well as a chance to present their research results and experience gained during the research stay abroad. Lectures and seminars on topics such as research ethics, good scientific practices, career planning and project and time management are part of the curriculum with the main goal to further developing the students´ self-competence.

In addition, this module provides the central networking place where all students studying in the ProMat master´s programme get the chance to exchange their knowledge, experience and skills.

The module Research stay abroad (12 CP/ECTS) is an obligatory part of the curriculum. During a minimum of eight weeks students carry out scientific work at a university or research institution outside of Germany. It is possible and very welcome to combine the research stay abroad with a semester abroad, attending lectures and giving exams at an exchange university (preferable in the third semester). To this aim, a Learning Agreement,stating on how the attended lectures and the achieved  grades will be recognised upon return, needs to be signed.

In this module the personal mentors are guiding the students, helping them in finding the most suitable research institution according to their research topic, and supporting them while planning the research stay abroad. The International Office of the University of Bremen and the ProMat coordination team are supporting the students in finding suitable financing options for their stay abroad. These may include e.g. the Erasmus plus programme, the DAAD exchange programme, MAPEX and university grants and funding.

 

In case of hardship, for instance due to severe family or personal reasons, students may ask for an equivalent replacement of the module, or to complete the research stay in Germany. The Examination Board of the master´s programme ProMat will take a decision on the individual basis and grounds for every student.

Established in 2014 as the governance form of the high-profile area Materials Science and Production Engineering MAPEX is focused around the system-oriented research and development of materials and processes for sustainable transport and energy applications. The research encompasses the fields of natural and engineering sciences as well as mathematics, aiming at a thorough understanding of the process-properties-performance relationships in materials.

MAPEX merges the know-how of 800 scientific and technical staff, 430 of which are doctoral candidates. The about 60 Principal Investigators and 30 Early Career Investigators are affiliated to five different university faculties and four external research institutes on the university campus and are eligible to mentor the students of the ProMat master´s programme.

The unique nature of ProMat allows the students to tailor their individual scientific and research interests within the MAPEX research landscape:

MaterialsTechnologiesMethods
Soft and hybrid materialsManufacturing engineeringMaterials synthesis and characterization
MetalsMaterials engineeringProcess modelling
Porous materialsProcess engineeringMaterials modelling
NanomaterialsEnergy-related technologiesMaterials informatics
SemiconductorsPhotonicsSystem integration


More about  MAPEX: here.

mapex-postkarte-21

Study profile

Title:Master of Science,
M. Sc.
Length of study:4 semesters,
120 CP / ECTS
Programme language:German and English
Application deadline:

15th of January for the summer semester;
15th of July for the winter semester