Metallurgy and Metal Forming

The Metallurgy and Metal Forming MSc builds on the Bachelor's degree course of the same name. Graduates of that course will be further exposed to the principles of metallurgy and metal physics as they relate to the production and processing of metallic materials and to heat treatment and refining. Graduates will then be in a position to independently plan and carry out the development, implementation, and optimisation of processes, materials, and procedures.
In particular, graduates will be able to fulfil corporate managerial roles and communicate in a managerial capacity with customers and official agencies. In addition to in-depth lectures on metallurgy, physical metallurgy, plastomechanics, and thermodynamics, special lectures will cover process simulation, data processing, and project management.

Educational organisation

The Master's degree courses consist of the following elements:

• advanced theories
• core subjects
• electives
• non-technical courses

The Master's thesis is an examination paper, which concludes the scientific education in every Master's degree course within the academic International Studies in Engineering (ISE) programme. It is used to show that a student is capable of using scientific methods to autonomously deal with a problem from the corresponding field of engineering sciences. It is also used to demonstrate that a student can comprehensibly present their solution to a problem within a given period of time. The duration for work on the Master's thesis is six months.

Forms of assessment

According to the examination regulations, the type and duration of the examination will be defined by the lecturer before the semester starts. Therefore, an examination can be a written test with a duration of 60 to 120 minutes or an oral examination lasting 30 to 60 minutes. The language of the examination is the same as the language of the lecture.

Course objectives

Graduates will enjoy excellent career prospects in managerial roles in the iron, steel, and metal processing industries. Graduates could also go on to complete a doctorate in Germany or elsewhere. A principal employment area is metal manufacturing, but graduates may also find employment in companies that use metallic materials in manufacturing, production, and processing. This includes consultancies specialising in construction-related mechanical engineering concerning metallic materials, companies specialising in heat treatment processing for volume-oriented or surface-oriented materials, and the many branches of the metal processing industry such as bodywork and parts manufacture for the automotive sector.
Steel is by far the most common construction material currently used worldwide, Those specialising in this material will therefore be highly employable in a wide range of industrial engineering roles and can look forward to excellent career prospects.

Graduates will:
1) master profound knowledge of advanced principles of mathematics and natural sciences and become experts in the fundamentals of mechanical and process engineering, including their interdisciplinary extensions;
2) develop advanced knowledge and skills in materials and production technology;
3) be able to develop concepts and solutions for standard as well as for unconventional problems, while comprehensively including other disciplines;
4) be able to pursue their preference for a commercial or an academic career via their choice of electives;
5) have an enhanced general education with advanced language skills in German or English as well as increased employability as a result of learning teamwork and communication skills;
6) demonstrate that they can apply scientific methods to independently deal with problems of materials technology (or its application in another area of engineering) within a specific time frame, and be able to present the issues clearly.

Language requirements

Applicants must be able to demonstrate German and English language skills corresponding to Level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
At the start of the programme, students must undergo placement tests in order to determine their knowledge in both languages and be placed in the appropriate courses. Students with a language certification from a qualified institute are exempt from sitting the placement test.
During the course of the ISE Master's programme, students must work towards a level B2 certification in both German and English. Students must reach a B2 proficiency level by the time they register for the final thesis. In some individual cases, language courses are a required part of the programme.

Academic requirements

The qualification for a MSc course of study in the ISE programme is met by a student's successful completion of a programme lasting at least three academic years in the field of natural sciences, engineering sciences, or computer science. Students must have finished the programme with an average grade of 2.5 or better and earned a BSc or a comparable degree.
Students must also prove their knowledge of German and English by achieving a minimum of a level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Enrolment fees

All students are required to pay a social contribution of about 300 EUR per semester. The social contribution includes a semester ticket covering public transport in North Rhine-Westphalia, subsidised meals in the university canteen, and other services.

Costs of living

We recommend budgeting between 750 and 900 EUR per month for personal expenses.

Job opportunities

Students may be employed as student assistants at the institutes within the Department of Engineering as well as at affiliated research institutions. Companies in the region also offer similar jobs.

Services and support for international students

The Support Center for (International) Engineering Students (SCIES) acts as a help desk for all study-related questions in the Department of Engineering. The mission of SCIES is to support all students at the Department of Engineering and to help them gain the most from their experiences at the University of Duisburg-Essen. SCIES answers questions with regard to studies, helps in administrative matters, supports in finding accommodation, and is the first level of support for all of the students' questions.

Accommodation

Accommodation is available through the Student Services Office or on the private market. Rent for a single room in a student residence is approx. 280 EUR.
More information: http://www.uni-due.de/scies/accommodation.shtml