MSC3011

Materials science

12 points
* Four 1-hour lecture/tutorial classes and an average of 5 hours laboratory work per week
* First semester
* Clayton
* Prerequisites: MSC2011 and MSC2022

Objectives On completion of this subject students will have an understanding of some 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 reports; 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) and assignments: 67%
* Laboratory work: 33%