Materials science
Class: L-27 - Chemistry
The course is characterized by a distinctly interdisciplinary nature, combining chemistry and physics, which is one of the most requested features by advanced technological sectors. You will focus on the functions of the materials developed, rather than on their mechanical and structural characteristics or on their production processes, which are the objects of study in materials engineering. You will first train on general, inorganic and organic chemical disciplines, on classical physics and on mathematics and then on specific disciplines of materials science (quantum physics and chemistry, solid state physics, crystallography, solid structure, biochemistry, classes of materials, technologies and production processes). You will be able to work as a high level technician in the microelectronics, mechanics, plastics, optics and aerospace industries.
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Characteristics and objectives
The Bachelor (BSc) course provides a preparation with a strong interdisciplinary character between chemistry and physics, prompted by the most innovative applications of materials in a growing number of advanced technological fields.
In particular, the BSc graduated student will be able to use and develop materials exhibiting specific functionalities. To this respect, the preparation of the BSc student in Materials Science is slightly different from that of the typical BSc student in Materials Engineering, which is more devoted to the learning of productive processes and to the use of materials for mechanical or structural applications.
The training course is organized in two phases. The first phase is devoted to the basic preparation on general chemistry disciplines, inorganic and organic, on physics and on mathematics. The second phase is devoted to the disciplines more specifically linked to materials science, with particular emphasis on quantum physics and chemistry, solid state physics, crystallography and solid structure, solid state chemistry, and to organic chemistry with tutorial elements of biochemistry. In this second phase is concentrated a large fraction of the practical activity in laboratory, which constitutes one of the most relevant pillar in the BSc education of a Materials Science student. A dedicated course on materials science provides an introduction on the most important classes of materials (metals, semiconductors, polymers, glasses, ceramics…) and to the knowledge of specific technologies and production processes.
Occupational opportunities
The BSc graduate in Materials Science can be employed as a highly qualified technician for companies with high technological level. Materials with specific properties are largely used at industrial level in different fields like microelectronics, mechanical materials, plastic materials, aerospace, optics, and even surface processing for jewelry. In all those fields, the sound knowledge on the chemistry and physics of condensed matter allow the BSc graduate to carry out the task of process management and optimization and of finding innovative solutions to the problems of product development.
From Bachelor's degree to Master's degree
The BSc Degree gives access to the MSc Degree in Materials Science, according to the rules defined in the specific admission call.
