Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

Synopsis

This unit will give the students an appreciation of materials, their place in the environment and ways of dealing with their presence in the waste stream. The students will gain a basic understanding of the structure and properties of the main classes of materials: metals, polymers and ceramics. Students will learn about the ways in which these different materials can be disposed of, ranging from incineration, recycling and degradation, and the technologies involved in these processes. The advantages of these methods, as opposed simply to landfill, will be discussed. Methods of sorting of different materials from the waste stream into their various components will also be covered.

Objectives

On successful completion of this course students will:

1. Understand the broad interrelationship of materials in society and issues related to their reuse or disposal

2. Have a basic understanding of the mechanical properties of materials, of how these properties are measured and their importance in various applications

3. Have an understanding of the key classes of materials (metals, ceramics and polymers), how their structure relates to their properties and applications and how this differs between classes

4. Understand the technical aspects of other alternatives to disposing of these materials such as incineration, degradation and recycling

5. Have an understanding of the basic concepts of an energy balance (life-cycle analysis) with regards materials usage .

Assessment

Examination (3 hours): 50%
Two written assignments: 20%
Two tests (30 mins): 15%
Laboratory work: 15%

Chief examiner(s)

Professor George Simon

Contact hours

3 hours of lectures/problem solving classes per week, 3 x 3 hrs laboratory classes per semester and 7 hours of private study per week.