Molecules & Organic Materials | Chemical Science & Engineering

Become an expert in designing, synthesising, modelling, characterising, and applying new materials and (bio)molecular structures with high-tech features

Many of today’s technological, societal challenges require new materials with specific properties, whether we are talking about advances in medicine, energy, food or transportation. Think for example of the next-generation batteries, lab-on-a-chip devices for clinical diagnostics, ultra-low power electronics or efficiency of solar cells. All these developments start with novel materials and molecular structures with high-tech features. Are you eager to become an expert in designing and developing them? If so, the specialisation in Molecules and Organic Materials (MOM) is the right choice for you!

What to expect?

In this specialisation, you will gain in-depth insights into the field of chemistry and materials chemistry, including organic and supramolecular chemistry organic materials and polymer chemistry. Furthermore, you can explore several topics in-depth through many elective courses, whether your interests lie in the direction of biochemistry (e.g. drug and gene delivery, biosensing, virus engineering), hybrid materials (e.g.nano and opto-electronic materials) or polymers (e.g. sustainable materials, sensors, functional coatings).

Examples of courses you will follow during this specialisation:

The course Organic Materials Science deals with molecular structure-property relations for the different types of (advanced) synthetic and natural (macromolecular) organic materials, including man-made polymers, liquid crystals, carbon allotropes and proteins.
Molecular recognition is an essential phenomenon in living systems as well as in artificial ones. During the course Supramolecular Chemistry, you will examine supramolecular systems, ranging from basic molecular recognition to large polyvalent systems.
The course Organic Materials & Polymer Science discusses molecular structure-property relations for the different types of (advanced) synthetic and natural (macromolecular) organic materials, including human-made polymers, nanoparticles, degradable polymers, polymer coatings, and novel processing methods, e.g. 3D printing.

As a student, you will have the opportunity to participate in high-end research at UT. For example, you could contribute to the development of a biosensor (or eNose) that can detect diseases such as cancer with sensors based on polymer brushes, improve polymer materials to make them fully recyclable and biodegradable, or look into a more efficient use of animal proteins and research alternative plant proteins. Without losing sight of applicability, you can choose how fundamental or applied you want your research to be. You will be sure of an inspiring learning environment in which you will work together with, more than under the supervision of, dedicated professors.

What will you learn?

As a graduate of this Master's and this specialisation, you have acquired specific, scientific knowledge, skills and values, which you can put to good use in your future job.

Knowledge
After completing this Master’s specialisation, you:
- have in-depth knowledge about e.g. functional organic molecules and assemblies, polymers with defined molecular and mesoscopic structures, inorganic materials ranging from membranes, nanocomposites and thin films to organometallic materials;
- have both theoretical and practical knowledge of different synthesis and characterisation techniques;
- understand the relationships between the structure and properties of different types of organic and inorganic materials and their application.
Skills
After successfully finishing this Master’s specialisation, you:
- can design, manufacture, apply and characterise new materials and (bio)molecular structures with high-tech features by making use of the different properties;
- can set up and execute different synthesis and characterisation techniques in a lab environment;
- are able to critically examine existing theories, models or interpretations in the area of materials science and are able to conduct research independently at a master’s level.
Values
After completing this Master’s specialisation, you:
- take into account environmental, social and safety aspects of materials science in your scientific work;
- are aware of the changeability of the research process due to external circumstances or progressive insights and you are able to adjust this process accordingly;
- can identify gaps in your knowledge, and you have a mindset to enhance and extend your knowledge through study.

Other master’s and specialisations

Is this specialisation not exactly what you’re looking for? Maybe one of the other specialisations suits you better. Or find out more about these related Master’s:

Curriculum