The study plan of the Master degree in Materials Engineering and Nanotechnology is conceived to be the extension of that of the bachelor degree and is aimed at producing an advanced professional profile for a material expert and designer of processes and components. For that purpose, a deep knowledge of the characteristics and uses of the different classes of materials, as well as of the more advanced processing techniques and of their influence on the final properties of the products is required.

The study plan of the Master degree in Materials Engineering and Nanotechnology isaimed at developing professional skills in the following areas:

• development of new production processes of materials and/or parts
• development of surface treatment processes
• development of engineering applications of polymers and composites
• development of technologies, products and applications at the micro- andnanoscale
• technical direction of industrial plants and products

The Master’s Degree programme in Materials Engineering and Nanotechnology is a two-year course. The courses are mainly delivered in English language to strengthen the students knowledge on technical terminology and to offer the opportunity to study with students and to be trained by lecturers coming from all over the world.

The study plan can be divided in two parts: 60 credits out of the total amount of 120credits are compulsory and provide the student with an advanced knowledge of engineering materials and general methods, with special emphasis on structural and functional properties. Additional 40 credits, to be taken in both the first and the second year, can be decided by the student among the wide choice (more than 80credits) of courses offered, which in fact represents a good opportunity for developing personal attitudes and interests. The last 20 credits are for the thesis work.

The Master degree has therefore a very multidisciplinary structure: however, in order to help the students to make their choice, several “thematic routes” are also suggested which are devoted to specific industrial sectors or applications of materials, as well as to fundamental materials studies:

• Surface engineering
• Polymer engineering
• Nanomaterials and nanotechnology
• Engineering applications
• Microengineering and microtechnology

In addition to the previous tracks, the Materials Engineering and Nanotechnology MSc degree has specific tracks which have been designed for internal double degree schemes with Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering and Civil Engineering. The programs allow students to get the double degree with a reduced number of credits (180) instead of the total amount usually required (240). The participation to these programs is subjected to the approval of a joint Admission Commission of the two Study Programmes.

This is an expert on materials and on the design of processes and products, with a full knowledge of the fundamental properties and of the use of the different classes of materials, as well as of the most different and innovative manufacturing techniques and their influence on the final properties of the products.

The Master’s Degree in Materials Engineering and Nanotechnology also allows to work as a freelance Senior Engineer, provided that the State examination is passed and the enrolment in the Register of Engineers of the residence province is finalized.

The qualification grants the access to “Corso di Specializzazione di secondo livello” (2nd level Specialization Course), “Master Universitario di secondo livello” (2nd level University Master) or to Ph.D courses.

The PhD course in Materials Engineering at Politecnico di Milano is a three-year course whose access requires a Master’s Degree. The course is aimed at providing a common scientific background together with specific skills in different research areas, combining theoretical and practical engineering knowledge for the design, fabrication and application of traditional and innovative materials.

The working opportunities for Materials and Nanotechnology Engineers owing a Master’s Degree are mainly in medium-large companies, specialized in producing, transforming and recycling the different materials, as well as in the field of their application in the mechanical, chemical, electronics, energy, telecommunications, construction, transport, biomedical, environmental and restoration industries, in industrial laboratories and research and development centers of private companies and public authorities.