Undergraduate - Area of study Materials science

The ability to understand and manipulate materials and their properties is often a key factor in industrial processes or technologies. Materials science looks at different types of materials (metals, polymers, ceramics, glasses, biomaterials and composites) and the fundamental reasons for the astounding range of properties displayed. The discipline is intended for science students who seek an understanding of the structure and properties of solid materials and the relationships between them. Studies in materials science are offered by the Department of Materials Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering. Throughout a major in materials science, structure property relationships are studied among all classes of materials, and the contents of individual units focus on an understanding of microstructure and properties, materials synthesis, and their technological significance. In addition, nanomaterials and biomaterials are becoming important parts of existing industries, and leading to the creation of many new ones. Materials science is crucial in all of these enterprises.

Learning outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

• demonstrate a clear understanding of the relationship between structure, property, processing and performance of various classes of materials (such as metals, polymers, ceramics, nanomaterials and biomaterials)
• gain proficiency in various techniques used in characterisation of materials and recognise the limitations at the experimental level
• integrate the acquired knowledge of materials to understand and extend their functionalities in devices and applications
• recognise the importance of the role materials play in everyday life, especially in developing new devices and manufacturing technologies and in the challenges in addressing sustainability
• develop skills in experimental design, data acquisition, data analysis and problem solving by working both individually and collectively in compliance with Occupational Health and Safety standards and applying the highest ethical and moral standards
• demonstrate the graduate attributes of effective communication, quantitative literacy, information and communication literacy, critical thinking, and international understanding
• develop a foundation for further learning in materials science and related disciplines and build on this foundation for employment requiring analytical, quantitative and experimental skills.