- UCAS course code
- J500
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Bachelor of Science (BSc)
BSc Materials Science and Engineering
Material scientists tackle some of the planet's greatest challenges and help shape the future of our world.
Duration: 3 years
Year of entry: 2025
UCAS course code: J500 / Institution code: M20
- Key features:
Scholarships available
Accredited course
- Typical A-level offer: AAB including specific subjects
- Typical contextual A-level offer: ABB including specific subjects
- Refugee/care-experienced offer: BBB including specific subjects
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 35 points overall with 6,6,5 at HL, including specific requirements
Fees and funding
Fees
Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2025 will be £9,535 per annum (subject to Parliamentary approval). Tuition fees for international students will be £38,000 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
The University of Manchester is committed to attracting and supporting the very best students. We have a focus on nurturing talent and ability and we want to make sure that you have the opportunity to study here, regardless of your financial circumstances.
For information about scholarships and bursaries please visit our undergraduate student finance pages and our the Department funding pages.
Course unit details:
Deformation Mechanisms
| Unit code | MATS23502 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 10 |
| Unit level | Level 5 |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
This unit is concerned with the mechanisms of deformation and strengthening in crystalline and non-crystalline solids.
Aims
The unit aims to:
Provide an overview of the deformation mechanisms in crystalline and non-crystalline solids.
Provide a quantitative treatment of the strengthening mechanisms using simple physical models.
Provide a theoretical framework for the time dependent deformation of non-crystalline solids and how it is affected by microstructure.
Learning outcomes
A greater depth of the learning outcomes will be covered in the following sections:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Intellectual skills
- Practical skills
- Transferable skills and personal qualities
Teaching and learning methods
Lectures, group tutorials (problem sessions), recommended textbooks, web resources, past exam papers, electronic supporting information (Blackboard), peer-assisted study sessions (PASS).
Knowledge and understanding
Understand the origins of the strength of solids and its link to structure and microstructure.
Understand the physical mechanisms of plastic deformation in crystalline solids.
Know the concepts of slip, cross-slip, climb, diffusion and twinning.
Recognize the different defect types in crystalline solids and understand the role they play in plastic deformation.
Understand the concept of stored energy.
Understand the mechanisms that give rise to work hardening.
Know and understand how crystalline solids are strengthened by solid solution, grain size, and second phase particles.
Understand the effect of temperature on deformation mechanisms.
Understand the mechanisms responsible for viscoelasticity and how it depends on the molecular structure.
Understand the glass transition phenomenon, factors that affect it and how it can be determined.
Intellectual skills
Show improved logical reasoning, problem solving and ability in applied mathematics.
The ability to use simple models to calculate the strength of crystalline solids.
Practical skills
Use bend testing and microscopy to investigate the strengthening mechanism of light alloys
Carry out and interpret experiments to determine the glass transition temperature.
Transferable skills and personal qualities
Convert word problems into equations and numerical answers.
Develop techniques for estimating the results from calculations.
Work effectively in a group to solve problems.
Compose simple technical reports on laboratory tests.
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Written exam | 70% |
| Written assignment (inc essay) | 30% |
Feedback methods
Written and verbal
Recommended reading
Introduction to dislocations” D. Hull and D.J. Bacon, Oxford : Butterworth Heinemann 4th ed, 2001
“The plastic deformation of metals” R.W.K. Honeycombe, London : Edward Arnold 2nd ed. 1984
“Mechanical metallurgy” George E. Dieter,: McGraw-Hill 2nd ed., New York ; London 1976.
“Dislocations and plastic flow in crystals”, Alan Cottrell, Clarendon Press, Oxford 1953
“Introduction to Polymer Science”, R.J. Young and P.A. Lovell, 2nd or 3rd Edition, CRC Press
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 22 |
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 78 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Joao Quinta da Fonseca | Unit coordinator |