Table of Contents

Master's degree 2
Computational Materials Science (CMS) • TU Bergakademie Freiberg • Freiberg 2

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Master's degree
Computational Materials Science (CMS)
TU Bergakademie Freiberg • Freiberg

Overview

Degree Master of Science (MSc)

Teaching language
English

Languages The medium of instruction for all mandatory courses and seminars is English. You may choose to
write your Master's thesis either in English or in German. The same applies to oral exams. Written
exams are usually only in English.

Programme duration 4 semesters

Beginning Winter semester

More information on Please note that the semester begins with a mandatory CMS introduction / primer course
beginning of studies during the first semester week.

Application deadline If a visa is required, the deadline is 15 April. If a visa is not required, the deadline is 15 August.

Information on how to apply: https://tu-freiberg.de/en/studies/master-computational-materials-

science

Tuition fees per semester None

in EUR

Combined Master's degree No

/ PhD programme

Joint degree / double No

degree programme

Description/content The ever accelerating technological progress of today's society requires engineers and scientists
that are perfectly equipped with thorough knowledge of natural and materials sciences and who
are highly skilled in programming and simulations techniques as well as in data handling and data
analysis.

These "Computational Materials Scientists" will become key players in industrial R&D efforts; they
will shape scientific and engineering research focusing on the design, processing and application
of novel high-tech materials with superior mechanical, thermodynamic, and electronic properties.

At TU Bergakademie Freiberg, we bring together renowned researchers and enthusiastic lecturers

from different scientific communities to offer our graduate students the education required for an
outstanding career in computational materials science (CMS).

Theoretical concepts introduced during CMS lectures will be illustrated bycutting-edge research
applications. An intense introduction seminar will bring you up to speed withscientific

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 programming and modern computing environments. During research seminars, you will have the
possibility to interact with leading scientists and experienced engineers from industrial partners.
During accompanying hands-on tutorials, the application of all relevantstate-of-the art
simulation methods will be learned – which is only one of the truly outstanding aspects of this
course. Elective classes will introduce you to specialised topics of computational
engineering/mechanics – or even to advanced subjects of data mining and machine learning in
data-driven materials science.

Among others, you will learn the theoretical background and hands-on application of the following
numerical/simulation methods:

linear/non-linear finite element methods (FEM)

molecular statics and molecular dynamics (MS/MD)
Monte-Carlo Methods (MC)
discrete dislocation dynamics (DDD)
cellular automaton (CA)
phase field method (PFM)
statistical analysis methods (classical, neural networks,...)
digital image analysis/correlation

CMS students are chosen among the top 3% of their undergraduate classes, ensuring anintense
study environment of excellence. Small classes foster interaction and discussions, allowing you to
develop your own ideas.

Course Details

Course organisation A minimum of four semesters (two years) is required to complete the programme. This MSc
programme starts in the winter semester (an academic year has two semesters in Germany), and
the language of instruction is English in all courses.

The first semester has the purpose of bringing all students to the same level of knowledge in
materials science, continuum mechanics, and programming. This is the knowledge upon which the
following semesters strongly build. Additionally, you will improve your German language skills,
which will help you to explore the culture of Germany. Some of the most important courses during
the first semester are:

Fundamentals of Microstructures (FuMS)

Mechanics of Materials (MoM)
Properties of Materials (ProM)
Metallic Materials (MeM), Semiconductors (Sem), Ceramic Materials (CeM)
Introduction to Scientific Programming (ISP)
Software tools for CMS (SoTo)

The second semester focuses on introducing important simulation methods, the accompanying
theoretical and numerical concepts, and the advantages and pitfalls of all methods. Advanced
aspects of materials science and engineering are introduced in hands-on approaches using
dedicated simulation tools. Some of the most important courses are:

Theory, Modelling, and Simulation of Microstructures (SiMS)

Continuum Mechanics (Conti)
Solid State Physics (SSP)
Numerical Analysis (Num)
Nonlinear Finite Element Methods (FEM)
Software tools for CMS (SoTo), Part II

During the third semester, you can additionally choose from elective courses, covering emerging
topics such as data-driven materials science and big data methods or advanced topics of plasticity.
Your programming skills will be further developed during the "Personal Programming Project",
where you have to solve a problem of relevance for materials science or continuum mechanics
using the programming and simulation skills that you acquired during the first two semester.
Further mandatory courses are:
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 Theory, Modelling, and Simulation of Microstructures (SiMS), Part II
Experimental Methods of Materials Characterisation and Testing (Exp)
Plasticity (Plasti)
Introduction to High Performance Computing and Optimisation (HPC)
... and a minimum of two to three elective courses

The last semester is reserved for the Master's thesis.

For more details, see:

http://tu-freiberg.de/international-masters-program-in-computational-materials-science

Types of assessment In CMS, we rely on classical types of assessment (oral and written exam) as well as on a number of
innovative learning/assessment strategies. Those include small homework assignments, the
assessment through hands-on projects (e.g., solve a materials-related problem by writing a small
simulation programme), or presenting a topic to your peers and lecturers in a short talk.

A Diploma supplement will Yes

be issued

International elements
International guest lecturers
Study trips
Language training provided
Projects with partners in Germany and abroad
International comparisons and thematic reference to the international context

Integrated internships Internships at German companies are possible, but they are not mandatory.

Course-specific, integrated Yes

German language courses

Course-specific, integrated No
English language courses

The course of study can be No

taken entirely online

Digital learning and

Virtual classrooms
teaching modules
Mobile learning apps
Wikis
Online tests and quiz questions

Description of e-learning Learning material is available on a central learning platform. We also provide short quiz questions
elements and online tests on this platform so that the students are able to test their progress by themselves.

Participation in the e- No
learning course elements is
compulsory

Can ECTS points be No

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 acquired by taking the
online programmes?

Can the e-learning No

elements be taken without
signing up for the course of
study?

Costs / Funding

Tuition fees per semester None

in EUR

Semester contribution 84 EUR

Costs of living 550–750 EUR per month, depending on individual lifestyle; rent and utilities: 170–320 EUR

Funding opportunities Yes

within the university

Description of the above- 1. Deutschlandstipendium: The national scholarship programme "Deutschlandstipendium"

mentioned funding supports above-average students with excellent grades. Social commitment, a willingness to
opportunities within the take responsibility and special social, family or personal circumstances will also be taken into
university account (six months, 300 EUR per month).
2. Grants awarded to exceptionally committed students (three to four months, 300 EUR per
month)
3. Study completion grant (three months, 300 EUR per month)

Requirements / Registration

Academic Admission A Typical Candidate Profile

Requirements A typical CMS student is interested in materials and engineering and is curious to know how things
work. A distinctive feature of this student is that she/he would like to know how computer
simulations and and data analysis can be used to predict the behaviour of specimens, devices, or
maybe even of yet non-existent "virtual materials" with superior properties.

Minimum Conditions for Admission to CMS

Bachelor's degree or an equivalent degree in the field of Mechanical Engineering, Materials

Science, Nanotechnology, Aerospace engineering, (Solid State) Physics, Computational
engineering or other comparable studies.
Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 75% (this is equivalent to a German grade of 2.0, or
3.0 points of 4.0 max. points in the United States grading system)
English certificate (see below)
German certificate (see below)

Language requirements English:

TOEFL with at least 90 points (Internet-based)

IELTS score of at least 6.5

German:

for non-native speaker: Proof of German language skills (Goethe Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch
1 or telc Deutsch A1 or at least 150 hours of German classes)

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 no further requirements for native speakers

Application deadline If a visa is required, the deadline is 15 April. If a visa is not required, the deadline is 15 August.

Information on how to apply: https://tu-freiberg.de/en/studies/master-computational-materials-

science

Submit application to TU Bergakademie Freiberg

Zulassungsbüro
Akademiestraße 6
09599 Freiberg
Germany

Services

Possibility of finding part- It is possible to find part-time employment on campus, e.g., as a student assistant or in the canteen.
time employment

Accommodation Different kinds of accommodations are available on campus and in the city of Freiberg, from single
flats to shared flats. Prices vary from 170 EUR to 320 EUR, including utilities. In the dormitory, each
student has her/his own room, but usually the bathroom and the kitchen have to be shared with
other flatmates. Living in a dormitory is usually the first choice for new international students.
There is a good chance that you will get a place in a dormitory if you apply early. The International
Office supports international students in finding accommodation.
See: http://tu-freiberg.de/en/studies/international-studies/international/international-
students/housing

Specific specialist or non-

Buddy programme
specialist support for
Tutors
international students and
Specialist counselling
doctoral candidates
Cultural and linguistic preparation

Supervisor-student ratio We limit our class sizes to 20–25 students. Each course unit consists of the lecturer (typically
the professor) and one or two tutors, which results in a supervisor-to-student ratio of 1:7 for
each class. This allows us, particularly during exercises, to adjust speed and style individually.
It also guarantees optimal learning success.

TU Bergakademie Freiberg
Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg (TU BAF), the "University of Resources", was founded in 1765 and is one of the world's
oldest technical higher education institutions with an outstanding international reputation for its education and research following the
principle of perpetual innovation. The TU BAF is known for its famous graduates, such as polymath Alexander von Humboldt who studied
in Freiberg, and for the discovery of the two chemical elements "Germanium" (C. Winkler, 1885) and "Indium" (F. Reich, Th. Richter 1863).
With its four core themes – geosciences, materials, energy, and environment – it has a very distinct profile addressing the specific issues of
our modern industrial society. Teaching and research reflect a practical orientation responding to the demands of industry. Thanks to its
financial backing, including private sources, the TU Bergakademie Freiberg is one of the ten best research-focused universities in Germany.
This guarantees a high level of education in the fields of science, engineering, and economics. In nationwide rankings, the TU
Bergakademie Freiberg is regularly placed at top positions due to its outstanding conditions for studying and its intensive mentoring
programmes. The university's own underground teaching mine, open to visitors, serves as a natural laboratory and allows for "hands-on"
exploration of the subterranean world of Freiberg and its mining history, dating back to the 14th century. About 24% of the university's

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4,300 students are international students. The campus offers numerous advantages typical of a small university. Short distances on
campus and face-to-face contact between students and professors are major benefits. The university is structured into six faculties and
has several research centres such as the Interdisciplinary Environmental Research Centre (IÖZ), the Scientific Diving Centre (SDC), and the
Mine Water Research Centre. The Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology, which was founded by the TU Bergakademie
Freiberg and the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, researches innovative ways to explore high-tech metals like gallium, indium,
germanium or rare-earth elements. The university and student initiatives offer a large variety of cultural events and leisure activities,
including over 50 different types of sports activities at the university sports centre.

University Location

Freiberg is located in the centre of the state of Saxony in the picturesque Erzgebirge Mountains, 40 km south-west of Dresden and 240 km
south of Berlin.

Location on a map on Openstreetmap.org

Freiberg is more than 850 years old and was founded after the discovery of silver ore in 1168. Today, Freiberg has around 40,000
inhabitants. The medieval heart of the town, which is almost completely intact, is very attractive: the Upper Market Square with its late
Gothic patrician houses and the Freiberg Cathedral at the Lower Market Square with its famous Silbermann organ and golden portal. Along
with the world's oldest town theatre, a modern multiplex cinema, and nightclubs, more than a hundred restaurants, cafés, and pubs invite
you to take a break and enjoy life. There are sports facilities, a modern open-air and indoor swimming pool, and a park which surrounds the
town centre like a green belt. Since 2008, the mineral collection "Terra Mineralia" functions as a centre of attraction for tourists, students,
and inhabitants of Freiberg. The mineral collection, one of the largest collections in the world, is shown in the refurbished castle
"Freudenstein" in the town centre. The nearby Saxon Switzerland National Park and the Erzgebirge Mountains are beautiful places for a
wide variety of outdoor activities including hiking and climbing in the summer and skiing in the winter. Dresden, Leipzig, and Berlin are
easily accessible by train and offer plenty of social, cultural, and recreational alternatives.

Contact
TU Bergakademie Freiberg
Institute of Mechanics and Fluid Dynamics

Akademiestr. 6
09599 Freiberg

international@tu-freiberg.de
Course website: https://tu-freiberg.de/en/studies/master-computational-materials-science
Dr Egle Dietzen

Tel. +49 3731393094

Email

Last update 01.01.2020 16:10:10

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