Master’s in Materials Engineering, CMF & Sustainability
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in materials, CMF and sustainability engineering, structured in 12 modules covering the CMF discipline, applied colour science, polymers and finishes, metals, woods and natural materials, textiles, material sustainability, finish testing, manufacturing, digital CMF, sector applications and CMF strategy, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this programme. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Manage the CMF process within product development.
Apply colorimetry and multi-angle measurement to colour approval.
Select polymers, metals, textiles and natural materials according to use and perception.
Assess the environmental impact of materials through LCA.
Validate finishes with standardised durability tests.
Digitise materials for design reviews and configurators.
Communicate CMF proposals to management, engineering and purchasing.
Who it's for
- CMF designers.
- Colour and finish specialists.
- Product materials engineers.
- Appearance quality managers.
- Sustainable materials consultants.
- Trend designers.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter the automotive sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO 14040:2006 (life cycle assessment: principles and framework)
- ISO 14044:2006 (life cycle assessment: requirements and guidelines)
- Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH) (registration, evaluation and restriction of chemicals)
- Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS) (restriction of hazardous substances in electrical equipment)
- ISO 4892-2 (plastics: exposure to xenon-arc lamps)
- ISO 12947-2 (textiles: Martindale abrasion resistance)
- ISO 2409 (paints and varnishes: cross-cut test)
- ISO/CIE 11664-4 (colorimetry: CIE 1976 L*a*b* colour space)
- X-Rite Pantora
- KeyShot
- Ansys Granta Selector
- SimaPro
- Adobe Substance 3D
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Role of the CMF designer in the team1.2The CMF process in product development1.3Trend research and forecasting1.4Colour strategies by segment1.5Perception of materials and value1.6Surface finishes and touch1.7Perceived quality in CMF1.8Variants, packages and special editions1.9Management of sample collections and libraries1.10Case study: CMF strategy for a small household appliance
2.1CIELAB colorimetry applied to products2.2Solid, metallic and pearlescent paints2.3Effect pigments and flakes2.4Multi-angle colour measurement2.5Colour tolerances and ΔE2.6Colour harmony between materials2.7Metamerism between plastics and textiles2.8D65, A and F11 illuminants2.9Light booths and visual assessment2.10Laboratory: multi-angle colour approval
3.1Engineering thermoplastics for visible parts3.2Chemical graining and mould texturing3.3Painting of plastics and clear coats3.4In-mould decoration IMD and IML3.5Chrome plating on plastics and alternatives3.6Soft-touch coatings and tactile lacquers3.7Laser texturing of moulds3.8Transparent and backlit plastics3.9Scratch and chemical resistance3.10Practical exercise: finish selection for a housing
4.1Anodised and brushed aluminium4.2Stainless steel and its finishes4.3Decorative PVD coatings4.4Open-pore wood veneers4.5Laminated stone and mineral composites4.6Cork and plant-based materials4.7Technical ceramics in products4.8Decorative glass and treatments4.9Leather and tanning processes4.10Workshop: collection of natural material samples
5.1Natural and synthetic fibres5.2Woven, knitted and non-woven fabrics5.3Microfibres and synthetic suede5.4PU and PVC synthetic leathers5.5Lamination and backing foams5.6Martindale abrasion and pilling5.7Flammability of textiles5.8Functional and stain-resistant textiles5.9Embroidery, perforation and quilting5.10Case study: upholstery for a bus seat
6.1Life cycle assessment under ISO 140406.2Carbon footprint of materials6.3Mechanical and chemical recycling6.4Recycled content and traceability6.5Bio-based polymers6.6REACH and RoHS restricted substances6.7Design for disassembly and circularity6.8Ecolabels and environmental declarations6.9Green claims and greenwashing6.10Practical exercise: comparative LCA of two finishes
7.1Xenon light ageing7.2Erichsen scratch resistance7.3Taber abrasion of surfaces7.4Resistance to creams and chemicals7.5Climatic cycles and humidity7.6Paint adhesion by cross-cut test7.7Odour evaluation of materials7.8VOC emissions in a test chamber7.9Material validation plans7.10Laboratory: xenon ageing test
8.1Supplier selection and approval8.2Colour and grain approval8.3Master samples and references8.4Appearance quality control8.5Batch-to-batch variability8.6Costs of finishes and processes8.7Scaling from prototype to series production8.8Supply chain traceability8.9Management of appearance defects8.10Workshop: appearance approval plan
9.1Material scanning with X-Rite TAC79.2PBR materials and BRDF models9.3Digital material libraries9.4Rendering CMF variants9.5AxF and U3M material formats9.6CMF review in virtual reality9.7Consistency between physical and digital samples9.8Online product configurators9.9CMF data flow in PLM9.10Practical exercise: digital material from a scan
10.1CMF for automotive interiors10.2CMF in consumer electronics10.3Household appliances and white goods10.4Furniture and the contract sector10.5Sports equipment and technical textiles10.6Medical devices and biocompatibility10.7Premium and sustainable packaging10.8Commercial aviation cabins10.9Children's products and chemical safety10.10Case study: colour range for headphones
11.1Material and brand narrative11.2Physical and digital moodboards11.3CMF presentations to management11.4Collaboration with engineering and purchasing11.5Sustainable materials roadmap11.6Managing variant complexity11.7Economic impact of CMF decisions11.8Corporate colour standards11.9Professional CMF portfolio11.10Workshop: presenting a CMF proposal to a committee
12.1Product and user briefing12.2Applied trend research12.3Exploration of candidate materials12.4Colour and finish proposal12.5Sustainability analysis12.6Prototypes and physical samples12.7Technical validation of finishes12.8Final presentation of the CMF proposal12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
A 100% online programme on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable materials, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme is compatible with full-time work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is X-Rite Pantora, KeyShot, Ansys Granta Selector, SimaPro and Adobe Substance 3D, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: colour approval in a light booth and with a spectrophotometer, ageing, scratch and abrasion tests, and evaluation of samples with user panels. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: ISO 14040:2006, ISO 14044:2006, Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH), Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS), ISO 4892-2, ISO 12947-2, ISO 2409 and ISO/CIE 11664-4.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with X-Rite Pantora, KeyShot, Ansys Granta Selector, SimaPro and Adobe Substance 3D, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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