Master’s Degree Programme in Materials Engineering: Health Technology Materials
The Health Technology Materials specialisation track trains professionals in materials engineering with a particular focus on developing biomaterials to the needs of health technology applications.
What are biomaterials? How do the requirements of biomaterials in health technology change when used in various diagnostic, medical, or dental application? How do medical instruments work, and how biosignals are processed in the applications?
All of these questions are at the center of the development of new biomaterials and health technology applications that are at the core of both the strategy of the University of Turku and the wide expertise cluster in health research in the Turku region.
In this programme, you will grow to be an expert in the field of biomaterials and learn to navigate the vast field of health technology and its applications.
Health Technology Materials is one of the three specialisation tracks of the Master's Degree Programme in Materials Engineering. The other specialisation tracks are
Entry requirements
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 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 eligible for 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 the suitability of your educational background for the applied track.
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 (see full entry requirements for the obligatory motivation letter template)
- possible interview
The academic evaluation is made only for complete applications received during the application period. Any preliminary assessment of suitability or chances for admission will not be given.
Programme in brief
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
The University of Turku fosters students' professional growth and global perspective by promoting internships and student exchanges. Every degree student can take advantage of these opportunities – all internships come with a guaranteed subsidy, and every exchange programme includes a grant.
Does this page answer your questions about the programme's content and academic matters? If not, contact infoscitech@utu.fi.
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
Career prospects
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.
