Chemistry and Technology of Materials for Conservation – Restoration

The Master study program Chemistry and technology of materials for conservation-restoration prepares academically educated experts, who, in the scope of their study, develop their knowledge in natural sciences (especially chemistry) and deepen knowledge and skills regarding materials, ways and methods of conservation-restoration of objects made from inorganic and organic materials. This approach is realized predominantly on model samples, not on real objects of cultural heritage. The study is focused mainly on theoretical and practical acquiring of more advanced methods, on material exploration an techniques and methods used in the field of conservation-restoration.

The main goal of the study is to educate workers, who will be able apply their skill also in the field of research and development, besides solving common tasks of direct conservation-restoration (exploration, damage determination, suggesting and realizing of approprite treatment, preventive conservation, documentation, etc.).

Regarding the education, the graduates are able to suggest suitable experiments and model examinations. On this experience, they are able to develop new approaches, technologies, materials and agents nor only for the field of care for cultural heritage.

After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:

• suggest and realize material analyses and exploration of artefacts and monuments, using modern instrumental techniques, and evalutate their results
• determine and describe the state of an object, character and degree of its damage. According to this findings suggest the most appriprite way of further handling, deposition or treatmentt
• carry out conservational-restorational intervention using advanced techniques, methods and materials
• suggest, carry out and evaluate experiments and model examinations. Based on these findings, develop new techologies, treatment ways, materials and agents
• process specialized news and publications, gained conclusions present in scientific issues and conferences
• carry out and look for a solution dealing with objects made from various materials (inorganic and organic).

More advanced training in the field of chemistry and technology of materials for conservation-restoration enables the graduates from master program to find employment in institutions and facilities having care for objects of cultural heritage, i.e. in museums, galleries, libraries, archives, archaeological or trust institutions, etc. With respect to their education, thea have good start conditions for scientific a developmental work not only in the field of care for cultural heritage, but commonly also in the field of chemical research and development. The graduates, owing to wide survey in natural sciences, museology, materials and methods for conservation-restoration, become useful members of interdisciplinary working teams in the permanently developing field dealing with care for objects of cultural heritage.

The graduates can get a licence form the Ministery of culture of the Czech Republic. It requires to have long term practice and a participation in great projects. These licenced persons can then indipendently conservate or restore objecst of the cultural heritage

The graduates from master study can continue their studies in Ph.D. program with the topic dealing with the care of objects of cultural heritage. As a specialized Ph.D. programm focused on this field, is not accredited in the Czech republic, the students ususally continue their studies in the inorganic, material or analytical chemistry.

The compulsory part of the master study plan is participation in professional practice in the field of conservation-restoration in a chosen institution taking care for objects of cultutal heritage (museum, gallery. dpository, restorational worplace, etc.), lasting 14 days at least.The realization of the practical stay is recommended in the second term. There is also the possibility to perform the practice at any time in the course of master study.

The typical extent of the final master thesis is approximately 70 and more standardized pages including all formal requirements (front page, content, literature survey, appendixes, etc.). The work is divided usually into two parts - theoretical and experimental. In the course of theoretical survey processing, the student should prove his ability to find and evaluate literature information required for following practical (experimental) work. It is supposed that the experimental part of the thesis contains and presents original results and conclusions, that the student gets from solving assigned topic under supervision of a teacher.

It is required for a part of experimental works to be devoted to research and development, i.e. including materlal explorations, analyses, carying out and evaluation of model experiments, testing and assessment of used materials and agents, etc. This part of the thesis can be supplemented by results from the exploring direct or indirect preventive conservation or restoration.

Drawing up the thesis, a student proves his ability to solve assigned tasks by comprehensive and critical approach, regarding both theoretical and experimental aspects.

Possible exceptions must be proved by the supervisor. Other requirements of the thesis should follow common rules for final works, approved by Faculty of Science, Masaryk university.

The graduates from ongoing master study program Chemisty and technology of materials for conservation-restoration are equipped with theoretical knowledge

and practical experience that enable them to continue in further education in the framework of doctoral study programs of chemical other related natural or technical disciplines realized at home universities or abroad.