The Advanced Materials for Innovation and Sustainability (AMIS) major tackles the theme substitution of critical or toxic materials in products and for optimised performance, but will also cover material chain optimisation for end-of-life products and product and services design for circular economy — all of which are central themes of the EIT Raw Materials. The primary focus of the adaptation is on metal and mineral raw materials; bio-based and polymer materials are covered in view of their substitution potential and other materials in the context of multi-material product recycling. In addition, AMIS includes a solid package of courses and project work in innovation and entrepreneurship.

The mobility of the students is an integrated part of the programme and during the two-year programme, the students will study at two of the consortium partner universities. The first year studies are taken either at Aalto, Grenoble INP or TU Darmstadt (two semesters: autumn + spring). For the second year, the students move to one of these exit universities: Aalto, Grenoble INP, TU Darmstadt, Université de Liege, Université de Bordeaux or University of Riga.

Upon completion of the programme, students will receive a double degree. The language of instruction of the AMIS programme is English.

The AMIS programme will boost young professionals to become change agents with an entrepreneurship mindset able to safeguard the sustainability of EIT RawMaterials throughout the industrial and research landscape.

University partners

• Grenoble Institut Polytechnique (GINP), France (Coordinator)
• Technische Universität Darmstadt, Germany 
• Aalto University, Espoo, Finland  
• University of Bordeaux, France 
• University of Liege, Belgium 
• University of Riga, Latvia

First year learning outcomes

In the first year, students build a body of skills and knowledge that puts them on a fast track to becoming specialists in entrepreneurship and materials science. They will know the fundamental principles and concepts of businesses and entrepreneurship, and have an up-to-date picture of nanomaterials and functional materials.

Students will apply this knowledge in hands-on exercises and group work. Through tailored methodology and English language courses, the students will get introduced into project management, group dynamics, entrepreneurship and oral communications, in a setting that mimics a professional environment. Such integrated training of soft and hard skills is needed for the rest of the master’s studies. The year is completed by a summer camp, jointly with all the other EIT-AMIS students, and an internship in the field.

Second year learning outcomes

Building on the foundations laid in the 1st year, the students learn advanced topics in areas of their choice and continue to improve their research and hands-on skills. They will have in-depth understanding of some specialist topics in sustainable product design, nanomaterials and functional materials. Through tailored methodology and English language courses, the student will get introduced into project management, group dynamics, entrepreneurship and oral communications, in a setting that mimics a professional environment. The students will be able to apply their knowledge and present technical information in written and spoken form.

Professor in charge: Professor Jaana Vapaavuori
Academic coordinator: Yujiao Dong
Degree: Master of Science (Technology) from Aalto University (120 ECTS), Master of Science or similar degree from partner university
Code: CHEM211
Major: Functional materials for global challenges (CHEM3061) 
Minor: Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CHEM3062)

^{In addition, students need to complete the course CHEM-E0111 Laboratory Safety Practices at CHEM (0 ECTS).
*Students can start their internship already in period V if course work allows.}

Select 5 optional courses (25 ECTS) form the list below. All courses will be part of your major.

You may also suggest other courses organized at Aalto. They can be approved by the program director at Aalto if they thematically fit in the scope and learning objectives of the AMIS master's programme.

Remember to check the teaching periods in order to have around 30 ECTS per semester.

^{In addition, students need to complete the course CHEM-E0111 Laboratory Safety Practices at CHEM (0 ECTS).}

Select 3 optional courses (15 ECTS) from the list below. All courses will be part of your major.

You may also suggest other courses organized at Aalto. They can be approved by the program director at Aalto if they thematically fit in the scope and learning objectives of the AMIS master's programme.

Mandatory language studies are included as part of the Finnish bachelor’s degree for students who have studied in Finland and whose language of education is Finnish or Swedish. If the mandatory language studies have not been completed in the Finnish bachelor’s degree, the student must take 2 credits in the second national language and 3 credits in one foreign language, including both oral (o) and written (w) proficiency, as part of their master’s degree.

Students who have received their education in a language other than Finnish or Swedish or received their education abroad, are required to complete only 3 credits in one foreign language.

In the Master’s Programme in Advanced Materials for Innovation and Sustainability, English is recommended as the mandatory foreign language.

Students who have received their education abroad and who already have excellent command of English (e.g. English as their first language) may choose 3 credits of Finnish/Swedish courses instead, hence not covering the requirement of oral/written proficiency but meeting the language requirement of the degree.

Language studies are incorporated into students’ elective studies.

Courses offered are available at Teaching