Master’s Degree Programme in Materials Engineering: Health Technology Materials

General Requirement

You are an eligible applicant for Master’s-level studies if

• you have a nationally recognized first cycle degree – normally a Bachelor’s degree – from an accredited institution of higher education,
• your degree corresponds to at least 180 ECTS (European credits) or to three years of full-time study,
• your degree is in a relevant field for the Master’s degree programme that you’re applying to. Please check the section on track-specific admission requirements for detailed degree requirements.

Language Requirements

Applicants must have excellent English language skills and a certificate that proves those skills. You can indicate your language skills by taking one of the internationally recognized English language tests. 

Applicants must reach the minimum required test results to be considered eligible to the University of Turku. No exceptions will be made. Read more about the language requirements here.

Study right

It is not possible to have more than one Bachelor’s or Master’s study right at the same Faculty. Therefore, when accepting an offered study place, the student will lose any previous BSc. or MSc. study right at the Faculty of Technology at the University of Turku.

Before you start preparing your application, always read the full admission requirements on the application portal Studyinfo.fi

The applicant’s previous degree based on which s/he is seeking admission to the Master’s Degree Programme in Materials Engineering must be in a relevant field of study. Relevant fields for the Health Technology Materials specialisation track are

• materials engineering
• chemical engineering
• physics
• chemistry
• biochemistry
• biomedical sciences
• medical sciences
• biotechnology

You may not apply to more than one specialization track within the same Master’s Degree Programme at the University of Turku. Therefore, you should carefully consider that your educational background is suitable enough for the track that you are applying to.

The decision of admission will be based on

• the relevance of the applicant’s awarded degree(s)
• the GPA of all courses included in the degree in the degree you are applying with
• the language test result (see Language requirements)
• the motivation letter, description of your future plans, and possible additional merits for example publications, internships, conferences or workshops, other studies, relevant work experience, etc.
• possible interview

In addition to the education diploma and language certificate, you should include testimonials of any relevant work experience in your application. 

The academic evaluation is made only for complete applications that are received during the application period. Any preliminary assessment of suitability or chances for admission will not be given.

The Master’s Degree Programme in Materials Engineering: Health Technology Materials is a two-year programme of 120 ECTS credits.

• Joint materials engineering studies 20 ECTS
• Health technology materials studies 20 ECTS
• Thesis and project 40 ECTS
• Minor or Thematic Studies 20-25 ECTS
• Other studies 15-20 ECTS

Curriculum 2022-2024

Current focus areas in the MSc(tech) in Health Technology Materials studies are different materials used in health technologies and what properties are desired with specific applications. A key focus area is the behaviour of the interface of the materials in a biological environment of different applications.

During the Master’s thesis in Technology, the student must prove their ability to do scientific work, management of research methods, knowledge of the research field, and skill of scientific writing.

The purpose of Master's thesis in Techology is to produce a constructive solution proposal for a research challenge of e.g. a company, organization or research group.

Examples of thesis topics:

• Chemically reduced graphene oxide in electrochemical sensing for bioapplications
• Feasibility of SU-8 photoresist derived pyrolytic carbon for neurotransmitter measurement in biosensing applications
• Effect of substrate mechanical properties on neural cell mechanics
• Carbon nanomaterials interfacing with neurons - A literature review of in vitro studies

During the programme you will learn different biomaterials and their uses in biomedical and dental applications, as well as the demands and modification possibilities for the material properties needed for different applications. You will learn the function and working principles of the key instruments in medical sciences. In addition, you learn about the use of sensor- and information technology in health applications, how biosignals are processed and what restrictions they have in wireless data transfer.

The health sector is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. Materials in health technologies cover a wide range of applications, including measuring, diagnostic and therapeutic decives. Applications vary from different laboratory equipment and point-of-care tools to wearable sensors and long-term implatable devices. Developing new materials and solutions in these areas contributes to personal health care technologies and preventive care and rehabilitation.

You will be equipped with skills that provide you with multiple career options. You will be able to join the industry in Finland or abroad or enter the public sector, for example, in various authoritative duties.

Possible job titles are:

• Validation and verification engineer
• Technology manager
• Regulatory affairs manager
• Development manager
• Researcher

The Master of Science degree completed in the Programme qualifies the graduates for PhD studies in Turku, elsewhere in Finland or universities worldwide.

Graduates from the programme are eligible to apply for a position in the University of Turku Graduate School, UTUGS. The Graduate School consists of doctoral programmes, which cover all disciplines and doctoral candidates of the University.