materials-science/index

aos

Monash University

Undergraduate - Area of study

Students who commenced study in 2015 should refer to this area of study entry for direction on the requirements; to check which units are currently available for enrolment, refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your area of study.

print version

This area of study entry applies to students commencing this course in 2015 and should be read in conjunction with the relevant course entry in the Handbook. Any units listed for this area of study relate only to the 'Requirements' outlined in the Faculty of Science component of any bachelors double degrees.

Managing facultyFaculty of Science
Offered byDepartment of Materials Engineering
Campus(es)Clayton
CoordinatorDr Nikhil Medhekar (Department of Materials Engineering)

Notes

  • Unit codes that are not linked to their entry in the Handbook are not available for study in the current year.

Description

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.

Units

Level one

  • ENG1050 Engineering materials

Level two

  • MTE2541 Crystal structures, thermodynamics and phase equilibria
  • MTE2542 Microstructural development
  • MTE2544 Functional materials
  • MTE2548 Biomaterials I

Level three

  • MTE3541 Materials durability
  • MTE3542 Microstructural design in structural materials
  • MTE3545 Functional materials and devices
  • MTE3547 Materials characterisation and modelling

Sequence requirements

Minor in materials science (24 points)

Major in materials science (48 points)

Requirements for honours in materials science

  • Distinction level average in 24 points of relevant level-three units, of which at least 18 points are materials science units

Additional information

A major in materials science can be combined with a wide range of other majors, including physics, chemistry, mathematics, or another option. For example, students with an interest in biomaterials may choose to combine materials science with a physiology major. A materials science major commences at level two. A major in materials science will equip graduates with the skills and attributes necessary to commence a career in areas as varied as the development of a new process or product, fundamental research, or work in industrial production facilities. The program provides a broad foundation in all areas of materials, recognising the diverse future careers of graduates given the above-mentioned broad variety of other majors possible.

Level two

The three level-two units have no formal prerequisite requirements from level one but students must have successfully completed at least 36 points of units at level one before they may enrol in any science unit at level two. It is recommended that at least one mathematics units is undertaken at level two. MTE2541 and MTE2542 are core units, as outlined above.

Level three

Four 6-point units are offered at level three, and these generally comprise lectures, tutorials and a practical session.

Honours

In addition to the requirements listed above, students must meet the entry requirements for the science honours program relevant to their course of enrolment. See the entries for:

  • S3002 Bachelor of Science Advanced - Research (Honours)
  • 0051 Bachelor of Science (Honours)
  • 2188 Bachelor of Science (Science Scholar Program) (Honours)

Full details regarding the course structure for honours in this area of study are outlined in course 0051 Bachelor of Science (Honours).

Relevant courses

Single degrees

  • S2000 Bachelor of Science
  • S3001 Bachelor of Science Advanced - Global Challenges (Honours)
  • S3002 Bachelor of Science Advanced - Research (Honours)

Double degrees

  • 4642 Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Science
  • 0530 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science
  • 3528 Bachelor of Biomedical Science and Bachelor of Science
  • 1469 Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science
  • D3005 Bachelor of Education (Honours) and Bachelor of Science
  • 4646 Bachelor of Environmental Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Science
  • 4069 Bachelor of Journalism and Bachelor of Science
  • L3007 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Science
  • 3517 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Computer Science
  • 4638 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
  • S2003 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Global Studies

Honours degrees

  • 0051 Bachelor of Science (Honours)
  • 2188 Bachelor of Science (Science Scholar Program) (Honours)