The implementation of interdisciplinary employability skills in a futureproof materials science curriculum: a case study

Abstract

The interdisciplinary Master of Materiomics aims at educating students to tackle societal challenges such as climate change, energy transition, pandemics, etc. by developing innovative and sustainable materials at the interface of physics and chemistry and employing both experimental and theoretical/computational approaches. Interdisciplinarity forms the backbone of the master and is gradually introduced through the curriculum by means of an interdisciplinary learning line, building on the four learning mechanisms from boundary crossing theory. The aim of this research is to investigate how the interdisciplinary learning line is implemented in the master and which factors promoting or hindering this implementation were experienced during teaching. This is investigated by means of focus groups with the lecturers of the master. The outcome of these interviews form the foundation for ongoing design-based research which aims to optimise the curriculum and interdisciplinary learning line on a yearly basis.