IMPORTANT: The provided information is accurate for AY2025/26 intake and is subject to change.
The teaching faculty in the programme are predominately from TUM and NUS, as well as additional modules taught by industry leaders and other expert academics.
COURSE COMMENCEMENT
Single yearly intake, with course commencement in August every year.
COURSEWORK & STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO
All coursework is conducted in English and students will be taught by Professors from TUM, NUS, or other highly ranked universities in Germany or Asia. Student-teacher ratio averages between 15:1 to 30:1. Only live teaching is conducted in all TUM Asia classes. All examinations will be written by the student him/herself, and examination results are released approximately 1-3 months after the examination.
COURSE DURATION
The Master of Science in Industrial Chemistry degree is a 2-year full-time programme. Students must complete their coursework, 3-month internship and 6-month of Master Thesis writing to qualify for graduation.
COURSE COMPLETION
In order for a student to graduate on time, he/she must obtain a minimum overall CAP score of 2.50 or (C+). An academic warning will be issued to students if their CAP score falls below 2.50. There is also a risk of candidature termination for failure in any modules if overall CAP score falls below 2.50. A student will successfully complete his/her degree course after acquiring 120 modular credits, and assuming the circumstances that the student will not have any failed modules that he/she is required to retake.
Pre-essential Modules
Business and Technical English
The module aims to teach students the technical writing techniques and to familiarize them with the different business communication styles such as:
• International usage of the English language in technical communication especially in academic writing
• Writing of Thesis papers
• Writing of technical and scientific papers
• Writing of motivation letters
• Giving effective technical presentations
Lecturers: Dr. Carmel Heah / Hours: 40 / Semester: 1
CM5176 Chemistry Lab Course
During the laboratory course the students need to perform 6 experiments:
Inorganic chemistry experiments:
• Complexometric titration of copper
• Iodometric titration of copper
• Identification of anions Organic/ organometallic chemistry experiments
• Synthesis and separation of nitrophenol
• Synthesis and purification of an alkyl-methyl imidazolium salt
• Synthesis of Ag-NHC complex.
Lecturers: Dr. Alson Chng Yong Sheng / Hours: 50 / Semester: 1
Core Modules
During the course work in semester 1 & 2, students will have to complete 4 core modules. Each module has 45 contact hours and comes with a practical. They will take place at facilities at NUS or TUM Asia by TUM or NUS professors. Each module carries 6 AUs (academic units) and 8 ECTS-credits.
CM5171 Organometallic and Coordination Chemistry
The module covers the following topics:
• Introduction to Organometallic Chemistry
• Metal carbonyls complexes
• Metal alkyl complexes
• Metal carbene complexes
• Metal carbine complexes
• Industrial application of alkene, alkyne and aryne complexes
Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Fritz Kühn / Hours: 45 / Semester: 1
CM5173 Chemical Reaction Engineering
The module covers the following topics:
• Fundamentals of reaction kinetics
• Reaction profiles (reaction coordinates and enthalpy)
• Micro kinetics of reversible and irreversible reactions
• Reaction networks (parallel, sequential and reversible reactions)
• Rate determining step, stationary conditions and quasi equilibrium approximation
• Transition state theory Introduction to reactor design
• Ideal and real reactors, complex reactor models
• Mass and heat balances
• Performance equations
• Residence time distributions for ideal and real reactors Principles of sorption and catalysis
• Introduction to catalysis
• Macro kinetics – coupling transport, diffusion and adsorption with surface reactions
• Elementary reaction steps on surfaces (heterogeneous catalysis)
• Types of catalysed reactions (Metal, Acid – base, redox catalysis)
Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Andreas Jentys / Hours: 45 / Semester: 1
CM5174 Polymer and Macromolecular Chemistry
The module covers classification of synthetic macromolecules by properties, structure and reaction type (free radical, ionic and coordinative polymerization as well as polycondensation); ideal and real kinetics of polymer formation; molecular mass determination and molecular mass distributions; process technology of polyreactions and processing of plastics; reactor technology, discontinuous and continuous process control; influence of process parameters on molecular mass distribution.
Lecturers: Dr. Carsten Troll / Asst. Prof: Tan Zhi Kuang / Hours: 45 / Semester: 1
CM5175 Inorganic and Material Chemistry
This course provides a foundation for the understanding of the varying chemistries of the elements of the Periodic Table and periodic trends in physical and chemical properties, with emphasis on inorganic materials. The course includes the descriptive chemistry of many of the most common elements and their inorganic compounds, integrating such topics as symmetry and structure with emphasis of solid-state structures of metals, salts, and extended covalent systems, bonding models, reactions and the synthesis and characterisation of inorganic compounds including basics of crystallography. Further the class covers an introduction to material science. The topics treated include crystal structures, bonding, and physical properties (electrical, magnetic, optic etc) of materials, the role of defects and non-stoichiometry, and basic principles in materials synthesis. A focus is given to the relationship between properties and crystal structure. An overview is given on the material classes from classical to smart materials including alloys and steel, semiconductors, energy storage and energy exchange materials including ion conductors thermeoelectrics and luminescents. Important synthetic methods for materials are presented that include high temperature reactions, chemical transport, chemical vapor deposition, hydrothermal synthesis and related methods. A brief introduction to nanomaterials is given.
Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Thomas Fässler / Hours: 45 / Semester: 1
Specialisation Modules
There are three (3) Specialisation Areas offered. Students are required to choose ONE of the following specialisations: Each module carries 4 AUs (academic units) and 5 ECTS-credits.
- Catalysis and Petrochemistry
- Building and Material Science
- Interdisciplinary Combination
Specialisation 1: Catalysis and Petrochemistry
CM5271a Molecular and Heterogeneous Catalysis
The module covers the following topics:
• Carbon monoxide and synthesis gas chemistry
• Oxidation Catalysis
• Hydrogenation and related reactions
• Reactions of CC-unsaturated compounds
• Structure of solids and solid surfaces (support materials for heterogenous catalysts)
• Fundamentals of sorption and reactions on solid surfaces (physical chemistry of interfaces, principles of surface catalysis)
• Preparation and Characterisation of Solid Catalysts
• Types and examples of solid catalysts and heterogeneous catalysis
Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Fritz Kühn / Prof. Dr. Andreas Jentys / Hours: 45 / Semester: 2
CM5271b Petroleum and Petrochemical Processes
The scope of the course module is to enable students to understand the principal processes involved in petroleum processing, in the interface between petroleum refining and a petrochemical plant and in major petrochemical operations. This includes: Basics of crude oil chemistry, Distillation of crude oil, Catalytic conversion and upgrading processes, Thermal conversion and upgrading processes, Production and managing hydrogen, Basic Petrochemical Processes.
Lecturers: Prof Dr. rer. nat. Johannes Lercher / Hours: 45 / Semester: 2
CM5271c Unit Operations
The scope of the course module is to enable students to understand the principals and the applications of unit operations involved in Petroleum and Petrochemical Processes. This is aimed at providing the skills in the following fields:
• Viscous flow, including pipes and fittings
• Total energy balance and application to unit operations
• Flow through packed beds & fluidization
• Mechanical unit operations (sedimentation, centrifugation, filtration, particle technology etc.)
• Dimensional analysis
• Heat transfer and Heat exchangers
• Thermal unit operations (distillation, absorption, adsorption, extraction, crystallization, membrane processes)
• Industrial Chemical Reactors
Lecturers: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Kai-Olaf Hinrichsen / Hours: 45 / Semester: 2
Specialisation 2: Building and Material Science
CM5273a Building Chemistry and Construction Chemicals
Chemistry of inorganic and organic binders will be covered together with details on materials such as:
• Portland, aluminate cement, CaSO4 binders, silicons, epoxy resins, polyurethanes and latex dispersions.
• Functional molecules, polycondensates, polycarboxylates, phosphonates, gluconates, sulfonated copolymers, biopolymers.
• Silicate chemistry
• Geopolymers, inorganic nanoparticles, polycondensates, polycarboxylates, biopolymers, core-shell polymers
• Organic Nano particles
Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Johann Plank / Hours: 45 / Semester: 2
CM5273b Material Chemistry and Engineering
The module covers the following topics:
Chemistry and engineering of the materials will be covered together with details on the structure and properties of the materials such as:
• Cement, concrete, steel, etc.
• Physical, chemical and mechanical properties of typical construction materials
• Relationship between properties and structures, multi-scale materials and structures
• Characterization methods for materials at diverse scale
• Application of materials in building engineering
Lecturers: Prof. Lina Zhang / Hours: 45 / Semester: 2
CM5273c High-performance Polymers
The module covers the following topics:
• Basics of polymer science-chemistry, synthesis, characterisation of Polymer admixtures for cement mortar and concrete
• Various synthesis methods of different types of concrete admixtures, such as superplasticizers, accelerators, VMAs. Polycarboxylates are particularly emphasised
• Analytical techniques such as size exclusion chromatography, zeta potential, MALDI-TOF et al. will be explained
• Analytical techniques and processing methods
• Plastics, Film/Membrane, Fibers, Coatings, Adhesives
• Water proofing materials, Heating insulating polymer foam, Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP), Polymer latexes
• Polymer latexes and re-dispersible powders used in construction applications
• Major properties of polymer dispersions and the characterisation methods
• Polymer physics, interaction between the colloidal polymer and cement and their applications in mortar and concrete.
Lecturers: Dr. Lei Lei / Dr. Cai Wei / Hours: 45 / Semester: 2
Specialisation 3: Interdisciplinary Combination
- One module from Specialisation 1
- One module from Specialisation 2
- One module from Specialisation 1, 2 or Elective modules
Non-Technical Elective Modules*
Business Administration
The module covers the following topics:
– The Organizational forms of enterprises
– Financing instruments (equity financing, internal and external financing)
– Methods of capital budgeting (cost analysis, net present value analysis, internal rate of return analysis)
– Corporate valuation procedures (discounted cash flow analysis, multiple valuation)
– Methods and requirements of internal and external accounting (national and international accounting standards, origin and allocation of costs)
– Human resource management (forms of organising, history of organisational research, human resource theories, motivational theories).
Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Christoph Kaserer/ Prof. Dr. Isabel Welpe/ Hours: 45 / Semester: 1
Production Planning in Industry
Manufacturers are confronted with special requirements of their production processes. Cycles, by-products, batches and campaigns are difficult to handle by nowadays ERP software packages (ERP = Enterprise Resource Planning). Concepts of material requirements planning, supply chain management (SCM) combined with basics in cost accounting will be explained. As a highlight a simulation model, based on modern simulation software, will be used by students to simulate production planning and achieve the ‘best’ production plan. The module covers the following topics:
Part A: Overview
Part B: Industries – Chemical, Plastics and PVC
Part C: The World of PVC
Part D: Production Planning – Introduction
Part E: Production Planning Process
Part F: Procurement Process
Part G: SAP & Enterprise Resource Planning
Part H: Simulation Theory and Simulation Models
Lecturers: Dr. Hanns Zeltinger/ Hours: 45 / Semester: 2
Innovation and Technology Management
The module covers the following topics:
1. Innovation vs. invention
2. Creating value through innovation
3. Four forces of innovation
4. Value to the customer and Hi-Tech Marketing
5. Business system innovation and Service innovations
6. Technological discontinuities, S-Curves and Scenario techniques
7. Managing uncertainty and agility of enterprises
8. Innovation, productivity and restructuring
9. Venture capital, Start-ups and financing of innovation
10. Innovation-driven economic cycles and Innovation impact on growth and jobs
The lecture presents the dynamics of technological development through innovation and the related management issues, the difference between creating a new product (invention) and improving an existing product/idea (innovation), Start-ups and financing of innovation, Innovation-driven economic cycles and Innovation impact on growth and jobs. This course is useful for students who plan to take up careers in manufacturing and service companies or in R&D organisations that make significant use of research and technology to build their portfolio.
Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Edward Krubasik/ Hours: 45 / Semester: 1
Industrial Marketing
The module covers the following topics:
– Principles of marketing
– Marketing strategy and environment
– Creating customer value, satisfaction, and loyalty
– Information management and market research
– Analysing consumer and business markets
– Competition and differentiation from competitors
– Segmenting, targeting, and positioning
– Creating and managing products and services, brand management
– Pricing
– Marketing communications, marketing channels, and service P’s.
Students will work out, in teams, business cases, make their own business decisions and develop marketing concepts based on provided information of a real case study.
Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Christian Braun/ Hours: 45 / Semester: 2
Modern Developments in Industry
The module will provide insights into the core elements of Industry 4.0 such as: introduction to Cyber-Physical System, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technologies, information collection with intelligent sensors, industrial networking to connect the machines and processes together, Manufacturing Execution System (MES) for order management, production control and value adding to the complete supply chain management.
Lecturers: TBA / Hours: 45 / Semester: TBA
International Intellectual Property Law
This module will give a brief introduction to intellectual property rights and focus on insights into general principles of patent law and international conventions governing the patent law. Current developments and criticism of the current patent law system will also be addressed. In addition, practical (legal) aspects of the commercialisation of patents will be dealt with.
Lecturers: Dr. Marian Majer/Attorney Bayani Loste/ Hours: 45 / Semester: 2
Paradigm Shift to Industry 4.0
Introduction to Industry 4.0; Core elements of Industry 4.0; Fundamental workshop on AR/VR and digital twin; Fundamental workshop on additive manufacturing; Fundamental workshop on collaborative robot; Site visit and workshop on indoor vertical farming with disruptive technologies; Case study on Aquaculture 4.0; Site visit to Competence Centre for Digitalisation, Technology and Innovation (CDTI) and Advance Manufacturing Transformation Centre (AMTC).
Lecturers: TBC/ Hours: TBC / Semester: TBC
Cyber Physical Systems
Introduction to Cyber Physical System; Elements of Cyber Physical System and its importance for a smart production system; Communication networks and the physical systems within a single entity; Overview of technologies enabling connectivity, open communication protocols, and cooperation between systems in a highly digitalised manufacturing environment; Essentials of a digital representation of a networked Cyber Physical System; Cyber Physical System for advanced digital manufacturing; and Case studies and discussions.
Lecturers: TBC/ Hours: TBC / Semester: TBC
Industrial Additive Manufacturing Quality Certification
Introduction to additive manufacturing and fundamentals of AM processes; Status quo of industry and first steps to AM production; Health and safety in AM; Quality and production management in AM; Risk assessment and management in AM; Industry standards in AM.
Lecturers: TBC/ Hours: TBC / Semester: TBC
Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and Digital Twin
Fundamentals of AR/VR technology; Benefit of AR/VR application in production environment to increase work efficiency; Hands-on exercises to access information about production operation; Considerations for AR/VR development; Virtual design and commissioning of a factory layout; Design and verification of a manufacturing process in a 3D environment; Human modelling and ergonomics.
Lecturers: TBC/ Hours: TBC / Semester: TBC
Project Management Principles
Project Management Principles, Project Performance Domains, Project Initiation, Project Planning, Project Execution, Project Monitoring, Project Closing, Agile Project Management.
Lecturers: TBC/ Hours: TBC / Semester: TBC
*Disclaimer: Specialisation and Elective modules available for selection are subject to availability. Unforeseen circumstances that affect the availability of the module include an insufficient number of students taking up the module and/or the unavailability of the professor. TUM Asia reserves the right to cancel or postpone the module under such circumstances.