Focus areas

In Materials Science programme there are four focus areas for students to specialize.

Fibre, Textile and Fashion Engineering >>
Materials Research >>
Metallic Materials >>
Polymeric Materials >>

Focus areas in international partner universities:

Computational Materials Science >>
Mechanics of Materials >>

Fibre, Textile and Fashion Engineering

Textile and clothing industry has multiple international activities in production and marketing. Companies belong to global value networks and they specialize in different types of know-how, e.g. textile fibre, yarn, fabric or garment manufacturing and retailing. In Europe, design and marketing activities are often located in Western countries while manufacturing typically takes place in Asia and in Eastern Europe. Companies need people who understand textile production and managing of global value chain functions.

The focus area in Fibre, Textile and Fashion Engineering prepares students to work for such companies in an exciting and international world of sourcing, production management and merchandising. Clothing physiology, interactive smart textile materials, and smart garment innovations, as well as their roles in product development, manufacturing and marketing will be covered. Furthermore, as a part of the Material Science Master Degree Programme, the programme enables students to carry out in-depth studies in high technology fibres, technical polymeric materials, or materials research. Students will attain eligibility for doctoral studies in fibre and textile engineering.

Example of courses:

• Managing Global Supply Chains
• Clothing Manufacture and Physiology
• Intelligent Textiles and Smart Garments

•  Special Treatise on Materials Science
• Fibre and Colour Chemistry
• High technology Fibres
• Advanced Course on Fibre and Textile Science
• Business Market Management

Materials Research

In order to remain at the forefront of technological and scientific development, an increasing number of highly educated people are needed in the research and product development in the various branches of industry and academia. The major in Materials Research educates students in highly sophisticated materials characterization methods such as electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and various mechanical materials testing methods. Finishing the studies in Materials Research will give you a strong knowledge base and understanding both in different materials and the most important research methods used in Materials Science.

This major is suitable especially for those students who have strong background in materials science and good overall knowledge of natural sciences such as solid state physics, chemistry, and mathematics. To be successful in your Materials Research studies, you need to be highly motivated, persistent, systematic, and innovative.

After completing the study module, the student has good knowledge on the main research methods and techniques used in materials science. The student can explain the basic operating principles of these research methods and techniques and understands their applicability for the observation and analysis of the microstructures and properties of different materials. The student can work systematically and innovatively in the various fields of materials research and knows how to apply the basic principles and laws of physics, chemistry, and mathematics in this work, giving him/her good skills and readiness to work successfully in various branches of industry and academia.

Example of courses:

• Intorduction to NDT Techniques 
• Electron Microscopy

• Electron Spectroscopy
•  Mechanical Behaviour of Materials
• Thermal Analysis
• Failure Analysis
• X-ray Diffraction and Transmission Electron Microscopy
• Plastic Deformation and Fatique of Metals

Metallic Materials

Metallic materials are still the most widely used materials in both mechanical engineering and transportation industry. In addition, metals are commonly used in electronics and increasingly also in the construction industry.

The major studies in Metallic Materials provide you with a broad knowledge base in the relationships between the composition, processing, structure, and properties of metals. Understanding and utilizing these correlations is essential in finding the most suitable existing materials, or developing new materials to meet the requirements of different applications. At Tampere University of Technology, metallic materials have been studied and developed for decades in close collaboration with domestic and international partners. Therefore, in addition to the basic knowledge of metallic materials, this major will give you state-of-the-art knowledge in recent developments for example in the fields of advanced steel technology and nano- and ultrafine-grained metals and alloys.

After completing the study module, the student is able to analyze the material requirements set by both manufacturing and usage of the metallic products, understands the reasons for the observed behaviour of metallic materials, and can assess the applicability of different metallic materials for different purposes. The student has a wide broad knowledge base on the development, properties and behaviour of metallic materials under various conditions and in different applications. The student can explain the most common phenomena controlling the behaviour of metallic materials, understands the basic structure-property relationships of these materials, and knows how they can be utilized in practice. The student can apply his/her knowledge in materials selection and in different tasks as a materials expert.

Example of courses:

• Mechanical Behaviour of Materials
• Wear of Materials
• Phase Transformation and Heat Treatments of Metals
• Corrosion and its Prevention

• Introduction to NDT Techniques
• Electron Microscopy
• Failure Analysis
• Plastic Deformation and Fatigue of Metals
• Advanced Steel Technology
• Special Treatise in Materials Science

Polymeric Materials

Polymeric materials are increasingly more important in many areas of engineering such as injection molded parts for electronic consumer goods, elastomers in automotives, and composites used in aeronautical engineering. The major in polymeric materials provides a comprehensive background of these materials with special emphasis on the processing and applications.

The major in polymeric materials provides an insight to processing of plastics and a working knowledge on elastomeric and composite materials. Student is also required to take one further course either on thermal analysis or polymer degradation. Supplementary courses include further courses on elastomers, composites and characterization. Student can also select courses on e.g. biomaterials to deepen the knowledge.

Suitable bachelor degrees are polymer chemistry, materials science, aeronautical engineering, and mechanical engineering (with some studies on materials included).

 Example of courses:

• Thermal Analysis of Materials
• Composites
• Elastomeric Materials
• Processing of Plastics
• Degradation of Polymers 
• Biomedical Engineering: Biomaterials
• Introduction to Medical Biomaterials
• Biogradable Polymers
• Electron Microscopy
• Advanced Course on Composites
• Advanced Course on Elastomeric Materials
• Special Treatise on Materials Science
• High Technology Fibres