Subject Summary: Part II Materials Science
Materials Science is increasingly recognised as a key discipline in the modern world, spanning both physical and biological sciences and also involving various branches of engineering. Recent technological developments in areas as diverse as medicine, sports goods, forensics, energy generation, electronics, communications and transport have all been largely dependent on improvements in the performance limits of constituent materials, rather than on advances related to physical principles or engineering design. People with an understanding of how the properties and performance of a material are determined, and might be improved, are therefore in great demand throughout the world, across a wide range of organisations. This understanding cannot be obtained solely by studying courses such as Physics, Chemistry or Engineering, since it relies on familiarity with various subtleties and interplays in the processing-microstructure-property relationships. The Materials Science course covers these relationships for all of the main types of material and builds on the basics provided in the IA and IB Materials Science courses.
The aim of the course is to complete basic instruction in Materials Science by providing a core set of lectures supplemented by examples classes and practical work. Students choose either a transferable skills courses (such as a computing course or language classes) in addition to the central curriculum in Materials Science. The Part II course also involves project work and a literature review.. The Materials Manufacturing Project involves disassembling and characterising the materials and processes used to make a manufactured household item, in a small group. In the Alloy Design Project, small groups of students design an alloy against a specification, then produce and characterise the alloy in order to evaluate its performance. Invited lectures from industrialists trained originally in Materials Science will also enable students to set the subject in a wider context. Students are strongly encouraged to gain industrial experience in materials science and technology. Help in finding jobs or projects during the summer is available through the Department for all students. The Part II Materials Science course is an accredited qualification towards Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.
Programme Specification: Part II Materials Science
The course is taught by the Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy.
Aims
Part II Materials Science is aimed at developing a thorough understanding and knowledge across all aspects of Materials Science as well as developing practical skills, working in small teams and using industrially relevant equipment. The course aims to train interdisciplinary scientists with a range of theoretical and applied skills who will be well prepared to move on either to one of a wide range of careers, or to continue further study at Masters level, whilst developing transferable skills which have use beyond the study of science and technology.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the Part II Materials Science course, students will be expected to have:
- have acquired deep understanding and knowledge of a wide range of materials and how their properties can be experimentally determined or theoretically modelled;
- designed, performed and analysed experiments to characterise materials and devices;
- developed practical laboratory skills, together with thorough knowledge of health and safety;
- developed significant skills in the areas of quantitative analysis, scientific reasoning and communication;
- carried out an in-depth literature review into an area of Materials research;
- carried out a team project to investigate a manufactured item, determine the materials and processes used, and presented these results in a joint report;
- developed transferable skills in areas including computing or languages;
- designed, fabricated, characterized and evaluated an alloy against a pre-defined specification, in small groups;
- gained awareness of the landscape for future opportunities in training or employment beyond Part II.
Teaching and Learning Methods
These include lectures, supervisions, examples classes, revision clinics, practical experiments, a materials manufacturing project, an alloy design project, a literature review, industrial visits and presentations.
Assessment
Assessment for this course is through:
- four unseen written examinations, based on lecture material;
- laboratory notes recording practical work performed;
- a literature review;
- a group report on the materials manufacturing project;
- a written proposal, poster and presentation on the group alloy design project;
- assessed work for transferable skills, and the busuness and industry programme.
Courses of Preparation
Essential: NST Part IB Materials Science.
Additional Information
Further information is available on the Course Websites pages.