Biomaterials Science

Our degree course is motivated by the fact that crude oil, as the most important raw material base of the past 100 years, will steadily be less available in the foreseeable future. This means that alternatives will soon become necessary.
Based on materials science, examples of developments, processes, and products of basic engineering materials will be presented in our degree course Biomaterials Science. In addition, the interface to biological systems is emphasised with courses on natural, biodegradable, and biocompatible materials as well as recycling and ecology aspects.
Parts of the curriculum not directly related to materials science are modules in economic science, integrated management systems, and cross-cultural competence. The main application fields following graduation include the leisure industry, the environmental industry, the aerospace and automotive industries, medicine, and others. Successful graduates also qualify for the Bionics/Biomimetics graduate programme offered at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences.

Educational organisation

Altogether, the degree programme consists of seven semesters of full-time study. A solid grounding in science and engineering is imparted in the first three semesters. Following this, your knowledge will be enhanced in key specialist areas in the fourth and fifth semesters. During this time, students also choose elective courses to form a more robust and meaningful study profile. The sixth semester is dedicated to gathering practical work experience at a company or organisation in the biomaterials field. The seventh and last semester is for writing the thesis. Here, we also attach great importance to practical relevance and support collaborative theses with the private sector. Furthermore, necessary skills for writing a thesis are provided in intense block courses during the seventh semester. The study programme concludes with an oral presentation on the research findings in the thesis.

Study abroad unit(s)

In the sixth semester, students must complete an internship (in Germany or abroad). We provide support in selecting the partner institutions as well as in finding funding.

Internships

In the sixth semester, students must complete an internship (in Germany or abroad). We provide support in selecting the partner institutions as well as in raising funds.

Forms of assessment

Written examination, laboratory reports, oral examination, homework

Course objectives

The degree programme imparts theoretical knowledge and expert competencies in materials science with a special emphasis on the development and production of materials for applications. Graduates are qualified for positions in development, manufacturing, processing and quality control of both classical and modern materials. Special attention is given to manufacturing costs and environmental standards in production and product development, which trains graduates to choose the best materials and processes for specific product requirements. The broad, interdisciplinary nature of the programme qualifies graduates for a multitude of different fields and sectors, including the automotive, aeronautical, and pharmaceutical industries, medical engineering, food processing, the textile industry, the furniture manufacturing industry, and the leisure industry.

Language requirements

Please note that for Bachelor's degree programmes English language skills at level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference are required. Please be aware that all applicants' test report form numbers will be checked. The following certificates are accepted:
IELTS: 6.0 - 6.5
TOEFL (internet-based test): minimum 80
TOEFL (paper-based test): minimum 550
TOEFL (computer-based test): minimum 213
The TOEFL code of our university is: 6962
The only exceptions to these language requirements are a secondary school certificate or a Bachelor's degree achieved in the following countries: USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia or New Zealand.

Academic requirements

German entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences or equivalent (http://anabin.kmk.org/)

Enrolment fees

Approx. 270 EUR per semester. This covers nominal administration fees and includes a semester ticket that allows free travel on most bus and train routes throughout the state of North Rhine-Westphalia as well as to and from Nijmegen in the Netherlands.

Costs of living

The "Deutsches Studentenwerk" puts the average cost of living for students in Germany at around 700 to 800 EUR per month. This includes rent, utilities, personal expenses, and other nominal costs. For a sample breakdown of living expenses and information about financing your studies in Germany, please see our website: http://www.hochschule-rhein-waal.de/en/academics/students/costs-scholarships-and-grants.

Job opportunities

International students from non-EU countries are legally permitted to work 120 full days or 240 half days per year on a student visa. No additional authorisation from German authorities is required.
Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences often posts job advertisements for students both inside and outside the university on campus noticeboards. Some jobs at the university only require English, but most jobs in Kleve, Kamp-Lintfort, and surrounding areas will require at least conversational fluency in German. Fortunately, our Language Centre offers German courses that students can attend at no charge.
However, due to the intense workload at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, first-year students are strongly advised to dedicate their full attention to their studies. In later semesters, you will have a more open schedule and a better idea of how to balance work and studies. This is also a realistic time frame for acquiring speaking proficiency in German while studying full-time.

Funding opportunities within the university

A limited number of scholarships are available for currently enrolled students at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences. The most prominent scholarship is the Germany Scholarship ("Deutschlandstipendium"). German and international students are both eligible to apply. The Germany Scholarship is a stipend of 300 EUR per month awarded each year to a limited number of students who have demonstrated excellent academic performance or exemplary social commitment to the community. Other scholarships, grants, and fellowships are available through regional and national organisations in Germany. Please see our website for details.
Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences informs all students of important scholarship deadlines in advance so that they don't miss any potential application opportunities.
http://www.hochschule-rhein-waal.de/en/academics/students/costs-scholarships-and-grants/scholarships-and-grants

Arrival support

Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences is accessible from the international airports Amsterdam (AMS), Düsseldorf (DUS), Cologne/Bonn (CGN), and Weeze (NRN). The university does not offer any pick-up services, but both Kleve and Kamp-Lintfort can be reached by public transportation from any of these airports.
If you anticipate any travel problems, delays, or unexpected changes to your plans, please contact our Welcome Centre so that we can support you with helpful advice.

Services and support for international students

Our Welcome Centre supports international students during their first few weeks in Germany. The Welcome Centre provides helpful advice and guidance on contracts, opening a bank account, registering your place of residence, applying for a student visa, setting up health insurance, and more.
The student mentors at the Welcome Centre know first-hand what it's like adjusting to life as a student in Germany. They are also an important first contact point for students with personal and social issues, as they can direct students to the right place for their specific needs. The Welcome Centre also promotes student culture at the university by organising trips and excursions to destinations all around the region as well as a range of social events for students such as the annual "Freshtival", the university's week-long orientation festival for new students in the winter semester.

Accommodation

Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences strongly urges you to make accommodation arrangements before your arrival. The university does not have its own residence halls, but the "Studierendenwerk Düsseldorf" runs dormitories near campus in Kleve and Kamp-Lintfort with options for single rooms or two- and three-room flats. Prices start at around 220 EUR per month. Room availability in these dormitories is limited and subject to a waiting list, so it's important to register online for a room as soon as possible. Please note that a security deposit of three months' rent is also required.
Most students choose to share a private flat off campus with fellow students. There are a number of popular online portals for finding a flat in Germany, for example: http://www.wg-gesucht.de. Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences also maintains its own list of available flats and rooms for students on its website. Thanks to the flexibility of the Semester Ticket, students can live in Kleve, Kamp-Lintfort, or one of the many cities and towns nearby and reach campus by public transport. For more information and helpful tips on finding a flat, please see our website: http://www.hochschule-rhein-waal.de/en/academics/prospective-students/housing.