International Master Program
Computational Materials Science

Der internationale Masterstudiengang wird in englischer Sprache angeboten.

Facts

Minimum Conditions of Admission:
Bachelor degree or an equivalent degree in the field of Mechanical Engineering,
Materials Science, Solid State Physics or other comparable studies. TOEFL with at least
79 points (internet based), 213 (computer-based) or 550 (paper based) or equivalent
tests.

Specifics of the Master Program

Starting in the winter semester of 2011/2012, the international master program on Computational Materials Science offered at TU Bergakademie Freiberg will provide the unique opportunity to explore a wide range of length scales through an interdisciplinary curriculum.
Theoretical concepts will be illustrated in the lectures by cutting-edge research applications.
During the research seminars the students will have the possibility to interact with scientists and engineers from industrial partners outside of the university. By the end of the two years master program, the graduates will have the scientific qualification to build the links between Mechanical Engineering, Materials Sciences and Solid State Physics. Of most importance, they gained the capability in several computational methods to simulate material behaviour.

Multiscale Modeling

Almost all problems in science and engineering are multiscale in nature.Things are made up of electrons and atoms at the atomic scale, while atthe same time they are characterized by their own geometric dimensions that are usually several orders of magnitude larger. Therefore, to model the plasticity of a material, several length scales are involved. We need to find the scale of (I) the crystal lattice, (II) the dislocation core, (III) the mean distance between dislocations, (IV) the grain size and (V) the dimension of the structure.

The first two scales can be studied by either first principle calculations or molecular statics/dynamics calculations. To model the mechanical behavior of single crystal (III), interactions, reactions and motions of dislocation are solved using a discrete dislocation framework. For polycrystalline materials (IV) and structural components (V), the mechanical behavior can be predicted using continuum mechanics and solved numerically using finite element method.

The Program

• All the lectures will be given in English
• A minimum of 4 semesters are required to complete the program

• Background courses will be offered to bring all the students to the same level
• All the materials of interest at TUBAF will be discussed
• Depending on the knowledge of the students, either Quantum Mechanics or Mechanics of Materials will be offered

• Advanced topics on Mechanical Engineering and Solid State Physics
• Students will become familiar with Molecular Dynamics Modeling
• Depending on their interests, students will be offered the possibility to ‘ascend’ the multiscale modeling hierarchy by studying Finite Element Method or ‘descend’ it by studying Density Functional Theory

• The students will get familiar with Dislocation Theory and Dislocation Modeling
• Advanced class in the field of Plasticity
• Advanced class on modeling methods
• Advanced class on scientific programming methods

• The last semester is dedicated to the Master Thesis

• By the end of the third semester, the students must complete the Programming Project. It consists of programming one numerical tool (choice between FEM, MD or DFT), writing the documentation for the tool and apply it to calculate one physical/mechanical property.
• The reserch seminar will be discussed one week prior to the seminar during the Journal Club, where a literature review on the topic of the seminar will be made.

MASTER CURRICULUM printable version

Opportunities after Graduation

The graduates will be well prepared to pursue their successful careers in academia or research centers. In addition, they will fulfill the requirements to work in many industrial areas such as automotive, metallurgy, microelectronics, materials manufacturing and processing or safety assessment.

Master Program

ACADEMIC COUNSELLING

GENERAL COUNSELLING