Studying at the Department of Engineering

With its 500-year-old history the Halle University holds a prominent position in German and European social and natural sciences. Since the fusion with parts of the former Technical College of Merseburg in 1993, it has also had a technical-scientific component: for more than 40 years, Diploma engineers have graduated at university level and have found employment in various fields in both the old and new Bundeslaender.

Characterization of the Masters Course and Job Profile

The international Masters Course of Applied Polymer Science was first offered in the 2001/2002 winter semester in cooperation with the Departments of Physics and Chemistry. It is designed interdisciplinarily and comprises engineering as well as important natural-scientific components. Based on sound natural-scientific fundamental knowledge, theoretical and, above all, practical engineering skills in the field of polymers are developed. The aim is to enable engineers to successfully apply their knowledge and skills in the polymer-producing and polymer-processing industry in the area Halle/Leipzig/Bitterfeld (e.g. DOW, Bayer). As an international course, it also aims at job opportunities in High-Tech regions worldwide, in developing and threshold countries as well as East European countries. Existing contacts with national and international companies and universities – such as the University of Massachussetts, the leading research institution in the field of polymers in the USA, are used and consolidated for the training of students.

Places to Study are the Merseburg campus and the university city Halle.
Merseburg is situated on the River Saale (Mittlere Saale) half an hour by car from the culture centres Halle and Leipzig. The 1000-year-old history of the town Merseburg is reflected in the historical ensemble of the cathedral, the castle and the castle garden on the west bank of the River Saale and also in the historical city centre which is currently under extensive reconstruction and renewal.
The university campus with excellent conditions for living and studying is located on the main road (B 91) on the outskirts of the town and can easily be reached by private and public transport.

The Course

The time limit for the course is four semesters, including the six – month period for the Masters thesis. The curriculum, lectures and seminars and the examination procedures ensure that the course can be completed within these four semesters.
Tuition covers three semesters with a total of 83 hours p.w. Successful participation in the lectures and seminars is assessed by credit points.
Lectures and seminars are mainly held in English.
During the semesters, language classes in German and English are offered, depending on the entrance level of the students and the courses available.
In the 2^nd or 3^rd semester, German students have to do one semester at a foreign university. All necessary regulations (number of lessons, equivalence, recognition of the different subjects) are to be agreed on by the Department in advance. As an alternative, German students are allowed to write their Masters thesis at a foreign university.
Foreign students need not study abroad.

Programme Structure

The first semester is a kind of bridging semester which brings the students' different individual levels of knowledge into line after their Bachelor Degree Courses. Therefore, lectures (L), theoretical exercises (TE) and laboratory sessions (LS) are weighted differently.

Classes in the 1^st semester

Classes in the 2^nd semester

Classes in the 3^rd semester

Furthermore, compulsory options (6 hours p.w.) are to be chosen in the 2^nd and 3^rd semesters. This is fixed in the Course Regulations. From the 2^nd semester onwards the students have to focus increasingly on individual scientific work.This is particularly true for laboratory sessions, project work and the Masters thesis.

Examinations and Masters thesis

The main examinations (oral or written) in the subjects have to be taken during the course as a part of the examination procedure for the Masters Degree. This is laid down in the Course Regulations.
In the 2^nd and 3^rd semesters a project has to be worked on within a maximum of 150 hours.
The topic can be either a theoretical-analytical, an experimental or a design task. The work is assessed after a report on this topic has been given in the seminar.
Students who have passed all the required examinations, handed in the necessary certifications and completed the project can be given the topic for their Masters thesis. This thesis has to be written in the 4^th semester within a period of 6 months. The Masters thesis can also be worked on at a foreign partner university.
The Masters thesis must be written in English. After a positive assessment of the thesis, a colloquium is held, the result of which is part of the total mark of the Masters thesis.
The degree Master of Science (MSc) is awarded on successful completion of the course.

Academic Advisor for further information on syllabus