Sustainable Materials — Polymer Sciences

Polymer Science - A key discipline enabling innovations in sustainable development

Sustainable polymeric materials and system-integrated functional polymers play a key role in modern life and economy. Progress in polymer sciences is important for the following:

• Creating advanced materials for sustainable developments
• Enabling high resource and energy efficiency
• Protecting climate, environment and human health
• Rendering high-tech products available for everybody

In contrast to conventional materials, polymers combine:

• Low carbon footprint with attractive ecobalance
• Tailored property profiles with facile processing
• High cost efficiency with high versatility
• Low weight with high durability and recycling
• Multifunctionality with facile system integration

The focus is placed upon the development of advanced polymeric materials and systems. Selected examples include:

• Bio-based materials for lightweight engineering and biomedicine
• Adaptive ("smart") materials and systems responding to their environment
• Energy-autonomous micro-/bio-systems for energy management and health care
• Bio-inspired, 3D-printed multifunctional polymers/systems

Educational organisation

Built on a long-standing transnational collaboration in training and research, the University of Freiburg and the University of Strasbourg offer an International Master's programme in Polymer Sciences (IM-PolyS). All courses are held in the English language.

Programme and courses of IM-PolyS:

• Semester 1 (Strasbourg): Introduction to polymer and soft matter science, complemented by courses in physical chemistry and/or physics

• Semester 2 (Freiburg)

Curriculum content
In the second semester - together with the international students from Strasbourg - you can choose between the three main focus areas:

I. Advanced Macromolecular Materials and Nanostructure Engineering:
Advanced knowledge of designing, structuring and implementing advanced functional polymers

II. Macromolecular Engineering and System Integration:
Advanced knowledge of surface analysis, (micro) fabrication and assembly of flexible, energy-autonomous embedded micro systems and their applications

III. Biomaterials and Biosystems:
Advanced knowledge of bio-based polymer materials for sustainable development, exploiting renewable resources and the integration of biopolymer and synthetic functional polymers into (bio-/micro-) systems.

• Semester 3 "à la carte": Specialisation through a broad list of elective courses offered in Strasbourg and Freiburg

• Semester 4: Master's research internship and Master's thesis

Forms of assessment

Oral or written exams
Semester 1 (Strasbourg):
Lectures with written exams: together 30 ECTS
Language course: exam 3 ECTS

Semester 2 (Freiburg):
Lab course: talk, colloquium and presentation 9 ECTS
Major module: lectures, seminars and/or lab oral or written exam 15 ECTS
Intercultural modules and language course: exam 6 ECTS

Semester 3 (Strasbourg or Freiburg):
Industrial Polymer Science: excursion, courses and lab 9 ECTS
Advanced practical report or presentation 9-18 ECTS
Lectures: exams 0-12 ECTS (depending on the university)
Languages: exam 3 ECTS

Semester 3 (Strasbourg or Freiburg):
Master Thesis: 30 ECTS

Language requirements

Proof of knowledge of English (at least level B2)

Academic requirements

The applicant must hold a Bachelor's degree in chemistry, physics or engineering, or must be about to be conferred this degree.

Enrolment fees

All students must register in both universities.

Foreign students can choose either university as their "home university". French students must choose Unistra and German students the University of Freiburg.
Students who choose University of Strasbourg as their "home university":
Fees at Unistra: 260 EUR per year
Fees at University of Freiburg: 160 EUR per year

Students who choose University of Freiburg as their "home university":
Fees at University of Freiburg: 290 EUR per year
Fees at Unistra: N/A

Costs of living

Participants must make sure in good time that sufficient funds are available to finance their participation in a course of study. The average cost of living in Freiburg for one month is currently approx. 800-900 EUR. Some details:

• Student accommodation costs approx. 280-450 EUR (monthly).
• Private expenses amount to around 350 EUR (monthly).
• Health insurance is available for approx. 45-90 EUR (monthly).
• Transport: A special student fare for regional transport costs approx. 89 EUR (per semester).

Funding opportunities within the university

Mobility scholarships
The French-German University (UFA / DFH) will grant a scholarship to every IM-PolyS Master's student in order to support his or her mobility in the partner university.
During the first semester (S1), students registered in Freiburg will be financed, while during the second semester (S2), students registered in Strasbourg will be supported.
The UFA / DFH financial support is 270 EUR per month of mobility.

Excellence scholarships
The Master IM-PolyS is presently applying for a "Degree of Excellence". In the event that IM-PolyS is recognised with this distinction, one or two excellence scholarships may be granted to select highly qualified students.

BGF - Ukrainian students
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs has granted a scholarship (BGF - Bourse du Gouvernement Français) to IM-PolyS to support the application of Ukrainian students.

Services and support for international students

In addition to services and support offered by each coordinator of a course of study, the International Office organises a special four-day orientation session, which generally takes place two weeks before the beginning of the semester. This orientation session includes information about various aspects of everyday life (e.g. accommodation, work opportunities, etc.), presentations and visits to important institutions (e.g. the university library) and opportunities for socialising with other international students. During the semester, the "International Club" (coordinated by the Studentenwerk (Student Social Services)) offers a great variety of events, trips and services for international students in cooperation with the International Office. Furthermore, the UNIKOS team, a group of international students who have been studying at Freiburg University for some time, give practical advice and can be approached for help in several languages.

Accommodation

As Freiburg is an attractive city, finding a suitable place to live can take a little time. Only a small proportion of students can be offered a room in a student dormitory. The Studentenwerk (Student Social Services) is in charge of the student dormitories. Applicants must expect a waiting period. In addition to these dormitories, several independent dormitories are listed on the university website. The Studentenwerk also offers a list of available private rooms, and the International Office can be contacted for further assistance in finding accommodation (http://www.international.uni-freiburg.de).