Nanoscience and Catalysis (NSC)

Based on a Bachelor's degree in chemistry, physics, materials science or related subjects, students acquire a solid knowledge of catalysis in the Master's programme "Nanoscience and Catalysis" (NSC), with an additional focus on nanosciences. This is a promising approach towards both the design of next-generation catalyst materials as well as new nanomaterials for energy conversion and storage. The aim of the Master's programme NSC is to train specialists in catalysis and nanosciences in order to engage them later in research in industry and academia. The focus of the programme lies in teaching physicochemical approaches as well as the fundamental and molecular concepts of catalysis. The acquired knowledge will be used in the sector of nanosciences in order to optimise and characterise new catalyst materials. Graduate students of NSC will be able to successfully plan and conduct research projects on their own or in interdisciplinary and international teams.
Modules of the Master's programme NSC, see: http://www.nsc.crc.tum.de/index.php?id=272&L=1

Educational organisation

The Nanoscience and Catalysis (NSC) Master is a two-year, consecutive study programme. In the first two semesters (TUM), students specialise in the field of physical chemistry and catalysis. The mandatory modules are complemented by modules which students can select from a wide variety of different interdisciplinary courses. A winter school and an additional language course in technical French prepare students for the third semester abroad at the Aix-Marseille Université (AMU) in France. The focus of the modules at AMU is materials science aspects from a physics point of view. In the last semester, students write their Master's thesis on the topic of a given problem in the field of materials/nanoscience and catalysis (TUM or AMU).
Successful graduates receive a Master's degree from both universities: TUM and AMU (double degree). The NSC Master is part of the PhD track "Munich-Marseille Graduate School of Nanoscience", which offers the possibility of pursuing a doctoral degree.

Study abroad unit(s)

Participants spend the third semester of the programme at the Aix-Marseille Université.

Forms of assessment

Exams, oral examinations, laboratory performance, exercises, reports, presentations, scientific project description

Course objectives

Graduates can plan and successfully implement research projects in the area of nanoscience and catalysis and are used to working in an international team. Specialists in this discipline develop and optimise new materials which play an important role in the chemical industry and in pollution control.

Language requirements

Particularly high requirements concern language skills, thus proof (e.g. language certificates) for sufficient language skills in all three languages in which NSC is taught must be provided. Further details and the recognised certificates/proofs are summarised here:
German: http://www.tum.de/studium/bewerbung/deutschnachweis/
French: http://www.tum.de/studium/bewerbung/franzoesischnachweis/
English: http://www.tum.de/studium/bewerbung/englischnachweis/

Required DSH / TestDaF

Yes

Academic requirements

Application documents

• proof of Bachelor's degree (officially authenticated copy), Transcript of Records (officially authenticated copy)
• passport-size photo
• proof of English language proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge, high school diploma grade, Bachelor's modules, officially authenticated copy)
• proof of French language proficiency (DELF, TELC, TCF, high school diploma grade, Bachelor's modules, officially authenticated copy)
• CV in English with details of previous study (which institutions of higher education attended, examinations passed, etc.)
• a motivational letter or statement for choosing NSC and TUM (one to two pages in German or French)
• confirmation that the motivational letter has been written by the applicant himself/herself.

Attention! You will receive a check-list of the required documents once you have completed the online application.

Enrolment fees

Approx. 115 EUR per semester, the fee includes a semester ticket covering public transport in Munich.

Costs of living

In order to cover personal expenses while studying in Munich, we recommend a budget of at least 800 EUR per month.

Arrival support

TUM's International Center offers a special programme tailored for international students, TUMinternational (TUMi). The TUMi programme provides help and advice for new students as well as a cultural programme with events scheduled both prior to and during the academic periods.
The service desk of the Student Service Center is the first contact point for international students. We are here to help you with issues such as applications, enrolment, student cards etc. Furthermore, we offer various three- to six-week summer schools combining academics with a rich menu of educational and social activities as a foretaste of university life. For international students who have been admitted to a degree programme, the Student Service Center offers a four-week pre-study course designed to help you get started at the TUM. Students new to TUM are invited to the service fair "Fit for TUM" which takes place before the semester officially starts, to get an overview of the various offerings of support services at TUM. http://www.tum.de/en/studies/international-students/
Learning German: While the language of instruction for many of TUM's postgraduate programmes is English, learning German and thus being able to participate in daily German life at a deeper level enriches the experience of studying and living in Munich. As such, TUM's Language Centre offers language classes for students at all levels, both prior to and during the semester: http://www.sprachenzentrum.tum.de/en/startseite/

Services and support for international students

In addition to support services offered by TUM International Center and the Student Service Center (SSZ), the faculty also has its own adviser for international students.

Accommodation

It is not easy to find a place to live in Munich - but it is not impossible either! TUM supports students and employees in their search for accommodation, providing personal advice, in-house listings and useful information to ensure that you can quickly find a place to call your own: http://www.tum.de/en/university-life/accommodations/
With high rents and not enough rooms in halls of residence, the Munich rental market is one of the most competitive in Germany - especially for students. The city boasts over 1.4 million inhabitants, with more people moving to Munich every year - many of them attracted by the excellent study opportunities that Munich has to offer.
Student halls of residence usually offer affordable accommodation for students. The Munich Student Union runs most of these halls of residence - more information at http://www.studentenwerk-muenchen.de/en/accommodation/