MSc Macromolecular Materials

The master's programme in Macromolecular Materials equips students with comprehensive tools needed to understand the relationships between molecular structure and macromolecular and material properties. Students gain skills to develop future materials in areas such as advanced health care, energy production, bio-based composites, green packaging and surface coatings. Graduates work in industry, start-up companies, consultant companies and research institutes.

Macromolecular Materials at KTH

As a student in the master's programme in Macromolecular Materials, you will learn about the design, synthesis, characterisation, production and development of polymer and fibre-based materials. You will acquire the knowledge and skills to manage the selection of raw materials (renewable versus fossil), choice of production processes, material combinations and manufacturing methods to achieve the desired characteristics of the finished product. We place great emphasis on environmental issues, such as environmentally-friendly material production and the development of sustainable materials.

The programme provides a solid base in the chemistry and physics of organic materials, as well as their connection to real-life applications. A broad range of courses allows you to customise your degree profile to focus on your areas of interest. The programme also establishes excellent laboratory skills and is closely linked to research at the Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology. Skills in problem-solving and teamwork, as well as oral and written presentations, are developed and enhanced throughout the courses.

This is a two-year programme (120 ECTS credits) given in English. Graduates are awarded the degree of Master of Science. The programme is given mainly at KTH Campus in Stockholm by the School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health (at KTH).

Degree project

A master's degree project takes place during the final semester; it is the culmination of the academic programme and is undertaken at KTH, or at a research institute or company in Sweden or abroad. Topics previously explored include: life-time predictions of commodity plastics, design of biobased adhesives, synthesis of sustainable polymers, fibre-solution interactions, microplastics, nanocomposites, 3D-printing and materials for biomedical applications.

KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm is one of Europe’s leading technical universities, as well as a key centre of intellectual talent and innovation. We are Sweden’s largest technical research and learning institution and home to students, researchers, and faculty from around the world dedicated to advancing knowledge.

History

KTH is a university with a rich history of pioneering ideas and innovation that dates back to 1827. For nearly 200 years KTH has educated students who have gone on to influence our present and make the technological advances that define modern society. Still today, KTH shapes the talents that will find the solutions for tomorrow’s challenges.

Research

KTH is working with industry and society in the pursuit of sustainable solutions to some of humanity’s most significant challenges: climate change, future energy supply, urbanisation, and quality of life for the rapidly-growing elderly population. We are addressing these with world-leading, high-impact research and education in natural sciences and all branches of engineering, as well as in architecture, industrial management, urban planning, history, and philosophy. Almost two-thirds of the SEK 4 billion turnovers are related to research.

Basic and applied research is performed side-by-side at KTH and interdisciplinary research is conducted in parallel with work in specific fields.

Career

KTH maintains close relationships with an expanding network of international companies and the industrial community in a number of fields, and working and studying here provides access to this network.

The latest career report shows that 94 percent of those who graduated from KTH 2010-2012 have been employed since they finished their degree and a remaining 6 percent have gone on to Ph.D. studies. Of the international student population, 30 percent go on to Ph.D. studies at KTH or other renowned universities. 32 percent of KTH Alumni leave Sweden for work or studies abroad. 13 percent lead others in their work, and 13 percent have already received their first managerial position.