Faculteit Ingenieurswetenschappen

Admission Requirements

Enrolling for this study plan is possible after having obtained one of the following degrees:

Academic Bachelor's programme ingenieurswetenschappen
Academic Bachelor's programme ingenieurswetenschappen: chemische technologie
Academic Bachelor's programme ingenieurswetenschappen: chemische technologie en materiaalkunde
Academic Bachelor's programme ingenieurswetenschappen: materiaalkunde

You may also be asked to provide additional documents so we may evaluate your application.

Aanbevelingsbrief 1 / Letter of recommendation 1
Aanbevelingsbrief 2 / Letter of recommendation 2
Motivatiebrief / Letter of motivation
Puntenlijst / Transcript of records

Overview of the study plan

The Master of Science in Chemical and Materials Engineering (BRUFACE) (120 ECTS), offers two profiles: a profile 'Materials' and a profile 'Process Technology'. The programme is built up modularly:
1) the Common Core Chemical and Materials Engineering (56 ECTS)
2) the Specific Profile courses (30 ECTS)
3) the master thesis (24 ECTS)
4) electives (10 ECTS) from 1 out of 3 options

Each of the modules should be succesfully completed to obtain the master degree. The student must respect the specified registration requirements. The educational board strongly suggests the student to follow the standard learning track. Only this model track can guarantee a timeschedule without overlaps of the compulsory course units.

The VUB curriculum of the first semester of the second master year can be replaced by an alternative programme of 30 ECTS at a university abroad. This Mobility Window offers the students extra freedom and flexibility to tune the content of their curriculum with additional courses and research projects without delaying their study progress. This also gives them the opportunity to collaborate with experts from other universities for their thesis research.

Student who want to apply for this mobility window have to contact the president of the Curriculum Council Chemical and Materials Engineering one academic year in advance.


Common Core Chemical and Materials Engineering

The Common Core Chemical and Materials Engineering (56 ECTS) is spread over 2 years: 46 ECTS in the first and 10 ECTS in the second year. The Common Core emphasizes the interaction between process- and materials technology by a chemical (molecular) approach. The Common Core consists out of courses related to chemistry, process technology and materials and is the basis for the Process Technology and the Materials profiles.

Common Core I: compulsory courses (MA1)

These compulsory courses of Common Core I (41 ECTS) must be successfully completed in the 1st year of the model learning track.

From the courses listed below, students must obtain 41 ECTS credits.

5ECTS credits - Molecular structural characterization and analysis
4ECTS credits - Electrochemistry
5ECTS credits - Parameter Estimation and Modelling
6ECTS credits - Microstructural design and characterization of inorganic materials
4ECTS credits - Surface treatment: Processing and Analysis
4ECTS credits - Organic Chemistry: Reactions and Mechanisms
6ECTS credits - Polymer Materials
7ECTS credits - Unit operations

Common Core I: project (MA1)

Students have to select one of these projects. The project must be successfully completed in the 1st year of the model learning track. The choice is irrespective of the selected profile.
General enrolment requirement: corequisite: at least 41 ECTS of Common Core I: compulsory courses.

From the courses listed below, students must obtain 5 ECTS credits.

5ECTS credits - Development Cooperation Project
5ECTS credits - Hands-on learning: project manager (chef de projet)
5ECTS credits - Research project on sustainable chemical processes and materials

Common Core II: compulsory courses (MA2)

These compulsory courses of Common Core II must be successfully completed in the 2nd year of the model learning track.
General enrolment requirement: prerequisite: at least 45 ECTS of the 1st year of the model learning track.

From the courses listed below, students must obtain 10 ECTS credits.

3ECTS credits - Environmental Technology
3ECTS credits - Biotechnology: from biomolecules to biofabrication
4ECTS credits - Reliability and risk analysis of industrial installations

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Specific Courses Profile Process Technology

The profile 'Process Technology' (30 ECTS) consists out of 2 parts, spread over the 1st and the 2nd year of the model learning track: Process Technology I - 14 ECTS in MA1 and Process Technology II - 16 ECTS in MA2. The profile adds process technological courses to the common core.

Profile Process Technology I: compulsory courses (MA1)

Part 1 of the Process Technology profile (Process Technology I) includes 14 ECTS of compulsory courses in the 1st year of the model learning track.
General enrolment requirement: corequisite: at least 45 ECTS of Common Core I (compulsory courses and project).

From the courses listed below, students must obtain 14 ECTS credits.

6ECTS credits - Modeling and Design of Multiphase Systems and Reactors
4ECTS credits - Sustainable Chemical Processes
4ECTS credits - Heterogeneous catalysis

Profile Process Technology II: compulsory courses (MA2)

Part 2 of the Process Technology profile (Process Technology II) includes 13 ECTS of compulsory courses in the 2nd year of the model learning track.
General enrolment requirement: prerequisite: at least 45 ECTS of the 1st year of the model learning track.

From the courses listed below, students must obtain 13 ECTS credits.

5ECTS credits - Design of chemical plants
4ECTS credits - Simulation and design tools
4ECTS credits - (Bio)Chemical Process Design and Control

Profile Process Technology II: elective courses (MA2)

Part 2 of the Process Technology profile (Process Technology II) also includes 3 ECTS of elective courses. Students have to select one of these electives. It must be successfully completed in the 2nd year of the model learning track.
General enrolment requirement: prerequisite: at least 45 ECTS of the 1st year of the model learning track.

From the courses listed below, students must obtain 3 ECTS credits.

3ECTS credits - Molecular Nanosystems: from principles to applications
3ECTS credits - Micro- and Nanobiotechnology

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Master Thesis

The Master Thesis (24 ECTS) is compulsory. Registration for the Master Thesis is allowed provided that
1. the student doesn't have a combined bachelor-master enrollment
2. the student has already successfully accomplished 45 ECTS of compulsory courses of the master program (exemptions included).

From the courses listed below, students must obtain 24 ECTS credits.

24ECTS credits - Master Thesis Chemical and Materials Engineering

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Elective Courses

The elective courses are divided into 3 options:
- Option 1: Internship (10 ECTS)
- Option 2: Elective courses (incl. internship of 6 ECTS)
- Option 3: Entrepreneurship
The student has to select one option and at least 10 ECTS within that option. All options belong to the 2nd year of the model learning track.

General enrolment requirement for the electives: prerequisite: at least 45 ECTS of the 1st year of the model learning track.

Option 1: Internship

This option includes the Internship of 10 ECTS (60 working days). The Internship belongs to the 2nd year of the model learning track (MA2).

Registration for the Internship is allowed provided that
1. the student doesn't have a combined bachelor-master enrollment
2. the student fulfils the enrolment requirements stipulated in the Bruface Internship Regulations posted on the website http://www.bruface.eu/information-for-current-students.

From the courses listed below, students must obtain 10 ECTS credits.

10ECTS credits - Internship (60 days)

Option 2: Elective courses

This option includes master specific electives, including an internship of only 6 ECTS (40 working days). Students who select this option have to choose a minimum of 10 ECTS of elective course units from this list, in the 2nd year of the model learning track (MA2)..

Registration for the Internship is allowed provided that
1. the student doesn't have a combined bachelor-master enrollment
2.the student fulfils the enrolment requirements stipulated in the Bruface Internship Regulations posted on the website http://www.bruface.eu/information-for-current-students.

From the courses listed below, students must obtain 10 ECTS credits.

4ECTS credits - Ceramics
6ECTS credits - Internship (40 days)
3ECTS credits - Manufacturing Technology I
3ECTS credits - Manufacturing Technology II
5ECTS credits - Engineering aspects of circular economy
4ECTS credits - Nanochemistry and -technology
3ECTS credits - Experimental techniques for characterization of construction materials
3ECTS credits - Materials Selection
5ECTS credits - Biocompatible and nanostructured materials
3ECTS credits - Advanced Thermal Analysis
3ECTS credits - Environmental Engineering: Current Methods and Practices
5ECTS credits - Recycling of inorganic materials
4ECTS credits - Fuel Cells and Batteries

Option 3: Entrepreneurship

This option includes entrepreneurship related courses, that are complementary and broadening with respect to the profile. Students who select this option have to choose a minimum of 10 ECTS from this list, in the 2nd year of the model learning track (MA2).

Remark: it is not allowed to enroll for both 'Technological Business Development Project' (3 ECTS) and 'EUTOPIA Learning Unit - Technological Business Development Project' (6 ECTS).

From the courses listed below, students must obtain 10 ECTS credits.

3ECTS credits - Business Management and Entrepreneurship
5ECTS credits - Innovation Strategy
5ECTS credits - Management and sustainable development: constraints and opportunities
5ECTS credits - Seminar of emerging technologies
5ECTS credits - Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
5ECTS credits - English for Professional Purposes
3ECTS credits - Entrepreneurship
5ECTS credits - Logistics and Quality Engineering
3ECTS credits - Business Aspects of Technology: Factory of the Future
3ECTS credits - Technological Business Development Project - EUTOPIA Learning Unit
6ECTS credits - Technological Business Development Project - EUTOPIA Learning Unit
5ECTS credits - IP Management and Technology Transfer (Chaire Solvay)

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