Learning objectives

The Degree Course in Materials Science aims to ensure that students acquire basic knowledge of the chemical and physical properties of materials, experimental skills for their synthesis and characterisation and technical-professional skills for their use in applications. In particular, the materials scientist should be able to use and contribute to the development of materials that are characterised by specific functions. In this sense, the preparation of the materials science graduate differs from that of the materials engineer, who is more focused on mastering the production processes and use of materials with specific mechanical and structural properties.
The basic preparation in the foundational areas of the chemical and physical disciplines combined with specific skills in the field of materials allow the materials science graduate to successfully and flexibly access various professional destinations. The acquired skills enable the graduate to adapt to the evolution of the discipline, to interact with culturally contiguous professions. Another important educational objective of the degree course in Materials Science is to provide solid knowledge of basic and characterising subjects preparatory to further studies and to enable the student to attain the ability and autonomy of learning to profitably undertake a Master's degree.

The programme of study allows for the acquisition of:
- an in-depth basic knowledge of chemistry and physics in their experimental and theoretical aspects; - adequate mathematical skills; - a sound working methodology and an interdisciplinary problem-solving approach; - specific laboratory skills, through a variety of techniques in the fields of analysis, characterisation and synthesis of materials; - ability to communicate science and to work in a coordinated manner within groups.
In concrete terms, the training process aims to gradually develop multidisciplinary knowledge and skills over the three years according to a thematic and chronological scheme of training activities structured in three main blocks:
1) BASIC TRAINING: basic teaching of chemistry and physics; these are complemented by teaching of mathematics and computer science, particularly aimed at the acquisition of problem-solving methodologies. These teachings are mainly offered in the first and second year.
2) LABORATORIES: lectures or laboratory modules focusing initially on inorganic chemistry and general physics and then, over the course of the three years, on organic chemistry and macromolecular chemistry, finally leading to the experimental treatment of topics in materials chemistry and physics.
3) TRAINING IN CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS OF MATERIALS: specific teaching in Materials Science through which, from the second year onwards, students gradually see the two different approaches, chemical and physical, to the study of materials integrated. The area includes teaching or modules dedicated to materials chemistry and physics. These lectures are taught by a faculty composed of scholars from different backgrounds, such as chemists, physicists and materials scientists who collaborate on common research topics in materials science.
The degree course offers the opportunity to extend basic knowledge in the field of the structure of matter and in aspects relating to the production and processing of materials, in order to have comprehensive and interdisciplinary skills useful for the continuation of studies not only in the chemistry class. A short traineeship at companies operating in the materials sector or in the department's research laboratories is planned. The training course concludes with a final examination.