MASTER OF SCIENCE IN INDUSTRIAL CHEMISTRY

TUM Asia aims to groom future leaders in selected areas of technology. Specifically, the 2-year full-time Master of Science in Industrial Chemistry will be an enabling postgraduate course for specialist engineers for the pharmaceutical, as well as the fine and specialty chemical industries.

The degree will be jointly awarded by Technische Universität München (Technical University of Munich, TUM) and the National University of Singapore (NUS). According to several independent rankings, the Faculty of Chemistry of TUM represents one of the leading in Germany in terms of both research and education with more than 50 professors and their research groups covering diverse fields in modern chemistry. Through this, it provides great opportunities for interdisciplinary research programme and collaborations. Four Nobel Prize winners amongst the faculty members of Chemistry attest to a premium research level. One of these Nobel Laureates, Professor Robert Huber, was a member of the teaching staff of TUM Asia during the early years of the programme.

“I found the Industrial Chemistry Master’s Degree Programme to be a right fit in terms of being an extension of my undergraduate course of study in Applied Chemistry and more importantly, it would direct me towards achieving my career aspiration of working in a multinational chemicals company with good career development prospects so that I would be able to take on technically-competent as well as cross-functional professions.”

Dazril Izrar Phua (Graduate, MSc in Industrial Chemistry)

DEGREE/FH DIPLOMA* REQUIREMENTS

In order to be eligible for the programme, you must have at least a Bachelor Degree** (completed in at least three years, depending on factors such as the rest of your education background) in Chemical Engineering or Chemistry or in a closely related discipline with remarkable results. *If you meet the requirements for admissions, please refer to this page (Click on “Required Documents”) for the List of Required Documents for application to our Master of Science programmes.

**Academic requirements may differ for different countries of study. Please write to us at admission@tum-asia.edu.sg to verify your requirements.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILLS

As the Master of Science programme’s instruction medium is English, the applicant must be able to demonstrate a satisfactory level of proficiency in the English language. Applicant whose native tongue or medium of instruction from previous studies (Bachelor / FH Diploma) is not English must submit at least one of the following:

  • TOEFL (www.toefl.org): Recent score with a Minimum 88* for the Internet-Based Test (TOEFL code: 7368)
  • IELTS (www.ielts.org): With academic IELTS result of at least 6.5

SPECIAL CRITERIA (China, India & Vietnam)

Additionally, an Akademische Prüfstelle (APS) certificate is required for applicants with education qualifications from China, India or Vietnam. The APS certificate is compulsory if your Bachelor studies was completed in a Chinese, Indian or Vietnamese university, regardless of nationality.

For example, a Singapore citizen who completed his entire undergraduate studies in a Chinese university, and holds a Chinese degree, must sit for the APS test and pass it in order to qualify for admissions to a German university.

If you are making any application to a German university (including the TUM degrees at TUM Asia), the APS certificate is required for all education qualifications from China, India or Vietnam. If you need more information, please contact our team.

More about APS:

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.

Your Internship

After two semesters of coursework, all students have to complete a (minimum) two or three-month internship with the industry or with an academic institution. It is required for the student to complete an internship related to his or her field of study at TUM Asia. One can secure an internship in Singapore, Germany, or in any other country in Asia, Europe or the rest of the world. Students who have secured a scholarship with their sponsoring company will undergo their internship in the company (this can be conducted in any branch of the company worldwide). Students without an industrial sponsorship are to look for internships independently and it is expected that all students take an active approach about it. TUM Asia will assist to provide students with any possible internship opportunities, but students are to lead the search for internships themselves.

Master Thesis

The 6-month long thesis work is the culmination of graduate work and an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills that students have acquired through course work and research assistant-ships. Through this guided learning experience, students work in collaboration with industry partners or other researchers on a project of mutual interest and may in some cases publish manuscripts resulting from the thesis. The thesis should be practical-based. Theoretical frameworks or conceptual models may (and should in many cases) guide the research questions. A strictly theoretical paper is not acceptable for a master’s thesis.

Organisation of the Thesis

Since the timeline for one’s Master studies is quite short, it is important to start exploring and discussing possible thesis topics as early as possible, recommended to be no later than the end of the first term. After deciding if the thesis project will be carried out in the industry or an university, the student has to find an university supervisor. Professors or the TUM Asia staff will assist the student in finding the right supervisor depending on the programme, but the ownership of the search is still on the student himself or herself. The supervising professor will be a teaching lecturer from the TUM Asia Master programme. For the completion of the thesis project, the student will have to prepare a written thesis that will be rated by the university supervisor together with (if applicable) the industrial supervisor. The purpose of the internship is to provide a structured and supervised work experience, in application to the theory work learnt. It is also a platform to develop soft-skills not learnt in the classroom setting and this will help the students to gain job-related skills and achieve their desired career goals. There will be an informative briefing session conducted for all students to equip them with the necessary knowledge regarding internship and thesis guidelines of TUM Asia. This briefing will be held during the first semester of your studies at TUM Asia.

The total tuition fees for this Master programme for the upcoming intake is SGD 45,000.00* (before GST).

The tuition fees are to be paid in three instalments as indicated in the table below.

Registration Fee 1st Instalment 2nd Instalment 3rd Instalment Total*
Deadline for payment Upon acceptance of offer 15 July 1 December 1 July
(of the next year)
Gross Amount* (before GST) SGD 5,000 Split across 3 instalments SGD 45,000
Final Amount* (after GST) SGD 5,450 Split across 3 instalments SGD 49,050

* Note:

  • All fees quoted are in Singapore Dollars and are inclusive of the prevailing Goods and Services Tax (GST) imposed under the Singapore GST Act. The GST rate will be adjusted to 8% starting from 1 January 2023 and 9% starting from 1 January 2024.
  • Final tuition fees are subject to revision due to changes in GST rate and/or at the discretion of TUM Asia, and students will be informed accordingly. 

IMPORTANT: The provided information is accurate for AY2025/26 intake and is subject to change. Students from previous intakes should not refer to the total fee stated on this webpage as their reference.

Please note that the above fees include the following:

  • Matriculation fees at TUM and NUS, teaching and examination fees
  • Lab materials and expenses
  • Expenses for intercultural program, may include tickets for events and industry excursions
  • Soft copy files of all teaching materials
  • Usage of all university facilities at TUM and NUS or relevant universities (e.g. library fees)
  • IT Usage: Computer labs and internet access
  • Excursion and off-campus expenses for mandatory events

In addition to the tuition fee, all registered students will be subjected to the following fees:

  • Student Medical Insurance Fee (payable to NUS appointed insurance agent)
  • Student Visa Processing and Issuance Fee (payable to ICA)

Note: Fees are subject to revision. All prices would be inclusive of the prevailing GST rates.

For more information about our MSc in Industrial Chemistry Professors, please click here.

ADMISSIONS OPEN, APPLY NOW REGISTER FOR OUR EVENTS

© 2024 Technische Universität München Asia
German Institute of Science & Technology - TUM Asia Pte Ltd
PEI Reg. No. 200105229R | Registration Period 13.06.2023 to 12.06.2029

 
tum arrow up