Biomaterials Science specialization track at Aalto University has a strong focus on natural polymers, renewable recourses based polymers, biodegradable polymers and the interphase between polymer science and biological sciences.  Teaching methods like laboratory and group work, individual work, lecturing, project work, and problem based learning are being used. This track is for students with a solid background in chemistry or chemical engineering.

The goal of the Biomaterials Science track is to give the students skills and knowledge for utilizing biomass in an ecologically, economically and sustainable way, by adapting methods offered by modern polymer technology. The graduates will be able to work as experts in the field.

Learning outcomes

After completing their studies, students will understand the synthesis and characterisation of polymeric materials, both synthetic and natural polymers. These studies offer tools for developing expertise in tailoring materials based on structure/property relationships. In addition to skills in engineering, polymer technology, and bio product technology, the students will receive comprehensive knowledge in business, communication, problem solving and teamwork. Studies in this specialization track deepen understanding of plant-based raw materials, and give knowledge to assess alternative uses of them for sustainable development.

After completing the MSc degree, the student will have:

1. good overall knowledge and understanding of synthesis and characterization of biobased polymeric materials
2. knowledge and skills needed to apply scientific knowledge and scientific methods, as well as knowledge and skills for continuing and flexible learning
3. knowledge and skills to understand the problems from the point of view of the end-users, technical and social systems, and of environment, ability to solve undefined problems
4. skills to work in an international working environment, good language and communication skills proficiency in both oral and written communication, and ability to present professional results in a convincing manner

Courses

The courses are defined and confirmed annually, as a part of the curriculum of the Aalto School of Chemical Engineering.

Obligatory courses 30 ECTS

Elective courses (to reach 60 ECTS) 

Obligatory if not included in prior studies (10 ECTS)

Elective courses (to reach 30 ECTS) 

Master’s thesis in Aalto University is equivalent to 30 ECTS. Aalto University sets the following formal requirements for the Master’s thesis:

1. the topic of the thesis has to be accepted by Aalto University,
2. the supervisor or co-supervisor of the thesis must be a professor in Aalto University,
3. master’s thesis must have one or two advisors, holding minimum M.Sc. degree,
4. the thesis must be assessed at Aalto University.

The Master’s thesis work is typically done in collaboration with one or more industrial companies, and the advisor(s) can also be from industry. The topic, supervisor, advisor(s), and the language for the thesis are approved officially by the Degree Programme Committee. 

After completing their studies, students will understand the synthesis and characterisation of polymeric materials, both synthetic and natural polymers. These studies offer tools for developing expertise in tailoring materials based on structure/property relationships. In addition to skills in engineering, polymer technology, and bio product technology, the students will receive comprehensive knowledge in business, communication, problem solving and teamwork. Studies in this specialization track deepen understanding of plant-based raw materials, and give knowledge to assess alternative uses of them for sustainable development.

After completing the MSc degree, the student will have:

1. good overall knowledge and understanding of synthesis and characterization of biobased polymeric materials
2. knowledge and skills needed to apply scientific knowledge and scientific methods, as well as knowledge and skills for      continuing and flexible learning
3. knowledge and skills to understand the problems from the point of view of the end-users, technical and social systems, and      of environment, ability to solve undefined problems
4. skills to work in an international working environment, good language and communication skills proficiency in both oral and written communication, and ability to present professional results in a convincing manner

The courses are defined and confirmed annually, as a part of the curriculum of the Aalto School of Chemical Engineering.

 Mandatory courses 30 ECTS

Elective courses (to reach 60 ECTS)

Mandatory courses if not included in prior studies (10 ECTS)

Elective courses (to reach 30 ECTS) 

The Master's Thesis (30 ECTS) during the Spring Semester 

Master’s thesis in Aalto University is equivalent to 30 ECTS. Aalto University sets the following formal requirements for the Master’s thesis:

1. the topic of the thesis has to be accepted by Aalto University,
2. the Supervisor or co-supervisor of the thesis must be a professor in Aalto University and
3. the thesis must be assessed at Aalto University.

The Thesis Advisor(s) of the Master’s thesis can be also from industry. The Master’s thesis work is typically done in collaboration with one or more industrial companies.

Biomaterials Science

The goal of the Biomaterials Science track at the Aalto University is that the student is able to utilize biomass in an ecologically and economically sustainable way and has profound knowledge of the trends in modern polymer technology. The specialization track Biomaterials Science has a strong focus on natural polymers, polymers based on renewable recourses, biodegradable polymers and the interphase between polymer science and biological sciences. This track is for students with a solid background in chemistry and chemical engineering.

Learning outcomes

Studies in polymer technology provide the students with understanding of synthesis and characterisation of polymeric materials. Both synthetic and natural polymers are covered. These studies offer tools to develop expertise in tailoring of materials based on structure/property relationships. In addition to basic skills in engineering and polymer technology, as well as bio product technology, the students will receive comprehensive knowledge in business, communication, problem solving and team work. Studies in the specialization track deepen understanding of plant based raw materials and give the basic knowledge to assess alternative uses for them for sustainable development. Teaching incorporates a wide variety of different teaching methods: laboratory and group work, projects and problem based learning.

The aim of these studies is to train graduates who can utilize biomass in an ecologically and economically sustainable way. The graduates are able to take part in the debate in society as experts.
 
After completing the MSc degree the student will have:

1. good overall knowledge and understanding of synthesis and characterization of biobased polymeric materials
2. knowledge and skills needed to apply scientific knowledge and scientific methods, as well as knowledge and skills for      continuing and flexible learning
3. ability to solve undefined problems
4. knowledge and skills to understand the problems of the field from the point of view of users, technical and social systems      as well as environment
5. knowledge and skills to operate as an expert and developer of the field in working life
6. skills to work in an international working environment
7. good language and communication skills proficiency in both oral and written communication, and is ability to present professional results in a convincing manner

Education shall be based on scientific research and/or practices of the field.

The courses are defined and confirmed annually as a part of the curriculum at the Aalto School of Chemical Technology.

First year: Polymer Technology and Polymeric Biomaterials, 60 ECTS

Obligatory courses 30 ECTS

Elective courses (to reach altogether 60 ECTS) 

Second year: Biomaterials Science 30 ECTS 

Obligatory  10 ECTS

Elective courses (to reach 30 ECTS)

Second year spring:

The Master’s Thesis (30 ECTS)