MSc Macromolecular Materials
The master's programme in Macromolecular Materials provides the skillset to lead the development of future sustainable fibre and polymer-based materials. You will attain an in-depth understanding of the relationships between molecular structure and macromolecular and material properties, coupled with extensive practical experience. Our courses let you specialise in pulp and paper technology, advanced health care, energy production, bio-based composites, surface coatings and circular materials.
Macromolecular Materials at KTH
As a student in the master's programme in Macromolecular Materials, you will learn about the design, synthesis, characterisation, production and development of polymer and fibre-based materials. You will acquire the knowledge and skills to manage the selection of raw materials (renewable versus fossil), choice of production processes, material combinations and manufacturing methods to achieve the desired characteristics of the finished product. We place great emphasis on environmental issues, such as environmentally-friendly material production and the development of sustainable materials.
The programme provides a solid base in the chemistry and physics of organic materials, as well as their connection to real-life applications. A broad range of courses gives you the generalists knowledge and at the same time allows you to customise your degree profile to focus on your areas of interest. The programme also establishes excellent laboratory skills and is closely linked to research at the Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology. Skills in problem-solving and teamwork, as well as oral and written presentations, are developed and enhanced throughout the courses.
This is a two-year programme (120 ECTS credits) given in English. Graduates are awarded the degree of Master of Science. The programme is given mainly at KTH Campus in Stockholm by the School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health (at KTH).
Degree project
A master's degree project takes place during the final semester; it is the culmination of the academic programme and is undertaken at KTH, at a research institute, company or university in Sweden or abroad. Topics previously explored include: life-time predictions of commodity plastics, design of biobased adhesives, synthesis of sustainable polymers, fibre-solution interactions, microplastics, nanocomposites, 3D-printing and materials for biomedical applications.
Courses in the programme
The courses in the programme cover topics such as Polymer chemistry and physics, biofiber chemistry, pulp and paper chemistry and technology, materials in a circular economy, polymeric materials, fibre technology and biomedical materials.
Courses in the programme Macromolecular Materials
Future and career
Career opportunities for students from this programme are broad and international. Advanced skills in both fibre and polymer technology combined with a clear environmental focus provide an excellent basis for various careers in industry, government agencies and academia. Graduates from the master's programme are very attractive for many different sectors such as the paper and forest, plastics, medical technology, pharmaceutical, coating and adhesive and packaging industry. Material expertise is also needed in many other sectors, including transport and electronics. The need for graduates with the competence offered by the programme will continue to be excellent and are projected to increase in the future.
Programme graduates are found in traditional Swedish industry, in small start-up companies, consultant companies, governmental institutions, research institutes and universities. Employers of graduates include Stora Enso, Holmen, Volvo Cars, IVL, AstraZeneca, Becker, Scania, Nynäs, BillerudKorsnäs, ABB, Pfizer, PRV, and RISE. Graduates are also well-placed for further studies as PhD students. After graduation you can expect to take on roles such project leader for development and production, research and development engineer, quality assurance engineer, consultant, project manager, product specialist and process engineers. Graduates are also well-prepared for further studies as PhD students at KTH or other renowned universities worldwide.
Sustainable development
Graduates from KTH have the knowledge and tools for moving society in a more sustainable direction, as sustainable development is an integral part of all programmes. The three key sustainable development goals addressed by the master's programme in Macromolecular Materials are:
Students in the programme learn how to research, design, and produce environmentally friendly materials to replace many synthetic materials currently found in society—as such, contributing to a toxin-free society will improve the health and well-being of humanity.
Students in the programme learn how to build resilient materials for use in infrastructure (for example, composites, thermoplastics and formulated products). In addition, students learn how to promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation by developing environmentally friendly materials, which promote innovations in industrial material development.
A study in fibre and polymer technology naturally involves the responsible use of materials and sustainable production. In particular, this relates to developing new materials with superior properties, leading to lower consumption of materials, a longer life-time, and considerations of end-of-life scenarios for polymeric materials.
Faculty and research
The research at the School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health spans a wide range of topics, such as the development of solar and fuel cells as well as other environmentally friendly energy sources, how to store nuclear waste in a safe way, the design of novel polymers for use in the medical industry, how to protect metal surfaces against corrosion, the use of natural materials in new products, and how friction can be explained on a molecular level.
The Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology conducts research on the frontiers of macromolecular material science of biopolymers, natural fibres, bio-based polymers and synthetic polymers. The research ranges from monomer and polymer syntheses and characterisation to modelling/simulation, processing, long-term properties and material performance, composites, functionalities and devices and studies of pulp and paper. Materials from renewable resources, nanostructured materials, materials for medical applications and materials for the field of energy have been identified as four specific research areas of strategic importance that are closely related to the Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring relevance for our society today and in the future. Join us in creating improved materials and products for a sustainable future.
- Research carried out at the School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health
- Research carried out at the department of Fibre and Polymer Technology
Faculty involved in the programme
Research stories
- Coconuts and lemons enable a thermal wood for indoor heating and cooling
- Citrus derivative makes transparent wood 100 percent renewable
- Plastic from Wood (Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY)
- The world's strongest biomaterial
- Water purification system engineered from wood, with help from a microwave oven
- With a kitchen freezer and plant cellulose, a material for therapeutics is developed
- Repairing Bone Fractures Using High‐Performance Thiol-Ene Adhesive (video)
