Materials determine our lives! High-performance steels in cars can save our lives in an emergency, lightweight materials save millions of tonnes of oil, and modern communication systems would be inconceivable without high-performance materials, for example in electronics. In order to manufacture these products, the properties of the materials used must be matched to the respective application. It is therefore important to know what influences the material properties and how materials with the desired properties are manufactured. From glass, ceramics, plastics and metals to composites or semiconductor materials, the range of materials is so broad that students have to focus on specific groups in a single degree programme. The focus is therefore on metallic materials and semiconductor materials. 

In the foundation course (1st to 4th semester), students learn the basics of physics, chemistry and engineering as well as materials science and materials technology. The relationships between the manufacturing process, the internal structure of the materials and the material properties are presented and the conditions for the efficient use of materials are explained. As the production of materials is geared towards their processing and utilisation, these relationships are illustrated during the course using various examples. 20 per cent of the courses are therefore practicals. 

In the course of the degree programme, the entire chain from material production to use and recycling is considered in order to ensure the sustainable use of our raw materials, including secondary raw materials in recycling. 

In the main course, students complete one of six possible fields of study and can specialise according to their personal interests and career goals. In the 7th semester, students complete a five-month internship in industry or at a research institution. Finally, the diploma thesis marks the successful completion of the diploma programme.