Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives On completion of this subject students will have an understanding of the types of materials characterisation techniques and their operation, the properties of some major classes of electrical and optical materials, the microscopic mechanisms of phase transformations, the preparation and characterisation of a variety of ceramics; performed laboratory experiments and written assignments in support of the lecture units; developed the skills of writing laboratory experiments; been provided with an opportunity to observe the practice of materials science in the industrial environment.
Synopsis This subject consists of four equal-weight units: materials characterisation - detailed study of the scientific basis for a selection of microstructural characterisation techniques; electrical and optical properties of materials - dielectrics, ferroelectrics, superconductivity and optical fibres; phase transformations - precipitation and precipitation hardening, spinodal decomposition, displacive transformations, ordering; and structure and properties of ceramics.
Assessment Examinations (6 hours): 67% + Laboratory work: 33%