Materials Science and Technology
Materials Science and technology is a challenging inter disciplinary course offering considerable variety and career opportunities across a wide range of industry sectors. The course has been designed to meet the requirements of industry and allow progression towards professional chartered status.
The course content encompasses all aspects of materials; their selection, manufacture, testing, assembly and environmental impact both during production and at the end of life. Through a careful balance of lectures, practicals and case studies, students develop a thorough understanding of the properties and capabilities of metals, ceramics, polymers and composites, which can then be applied to a wide range of industrial contexts including aerospace, automotive, power generation and distribution, IT and manufacturing amongst many others. Project work forms an important part of this course, working individually and in groups, it prepares students for the workplace by developing crucial transferable skills. The 60 credit MSc project is of great significance, equivalent to one third of the total course marks. Its main objective is to provide training in techniques that are essential for research and development work and problem solving in industry.
Courses available
MSc (180 Credits): One Year Full Time, Typically 3-4 Years Part Time
PG Dipl (120 Credits): Typically 2-3 Years Part Time
PG Cert (60 Credits): Typically 1-2 Years Part Time
Entry requirements
Full time: Good first degree (BEng or BSc) or equivalent in a science or engineering subject.
Part time: As an alternative to the full time requirements, students working in industry with relevant experience may be accepted with an HND or equivalent and would usually begin at PG Certificate level and then, with successful progress, continue to work towards the MSc.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3)
Key contacts
- Dr Noreen Thomas - Programme Director
- Professor Marianne Gilbert - Admissions Tutor
- Martin White - Graduate Development Officer
New Programme starting October 2012
Full time study
Core Modules
- Advanced Characterisation Techniques SL
- Surface Engineering SL
- Ceramics: Processing and Properties SL
- Design with Engineering Materials SL
- Sustainable Use of Materials OW
- Metals: Processing and Properties SL
- MSc Project
Optional Modules
- Plastics Processing Technology OW
- Industrial Case Studies OW
- Materials Modelling SL
- Adhesive Bonding OW
- Rubber Compounding and Processing OW
Alternative Module*
- Polymer Properties
Part time study
Core Modules
- Ceramics: Processing and Properties DL
- Design with Engineering Materials DL
- Sustainable Use of Materials OW or DL
- Metals: Processing and Properties DL
- Surface Engineering DL
- Plastics Processing Technology OW
- MSc Project
Optional Modules
- Industrial Case Studies OW
- Adhesive Bonding OW
- Rubber Compounding and Processing OW or DL
- Marketing DL
Alternative modules*
- Polymer Properties DL
- Advanced Characterisation Techniques SL
- Materials Modelling SL
Key: SL = Semester Long, OW = One Week, DL = Distance Learning
Notes:
All modules are 15 credits The MSc project is 60 credits. MSc students study 180 credits: 6 core modules plus 2 from the optional module list and the MSc project.
PG Diploma students study 120 credits: 6 core modules plus 2 from the optional module list.
PG Certificate students study 60 credits: 4 modules from the core module list.
*Alternative modules are only available under certain circumstances by agreement with the programme director.
- Alumina nanocomposites dispersed with non-oxide dispersants
- Characterising Material Microstructures in 3D
- Calculation of diffusion coefficients in nickel-based superalloys
- Cutting resistance of metal-ceramic interpenetrating composites
- Extrusion of Al-Mg-Li alloys
- Generation of superhydrophobic surfaces
- A novel route to polymer fibres
- Hydrothemal synthesis of Alumina nanoparticles
- Electroswelling of a polyelectrolyte gel - a synthetic muscle?
- Nano-composite polyelectolyte gels
- Novel anodisation processes for prepaint applications
- Sintering of mechanically activated alumina
Example Project Sponsoring Companies
- Tata Steel
- Airbus
- QinetiQ
- DSTL
- Rio Tinto