Apply through UCAS
- UCAS course code
- J501
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Master of Engineering (MEng)
MEng Materials Science and Engineering
Exploiting the full potential of new materials, you can tackle some of greatestchallenges facing the planet.
Duration: 4 years
Year of entry: 2025
UCAS course code: J501 / Institution code: M20
- Key features:
Scholarships available
Accredited course
- Typical A-level offer: AAA including specific subjects
- Typical contextual A-level offer: AAB including specific subjects
- Refugee/care-experienced offer: ABB including specific subjects
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 36 points overall with 6,6,6 at HL, including specific requirements
Course unit details:
Advanced Metals Processing
| Unit code | MATS43102 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 15 |
| Unit level | Level 7 |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
| Offered by | Department of Materials |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
The unit aims to apply and extend metallurgical knowledge through exploring the science behind advanced processing technologies and showing how they can be used to obtain novel microstructures and unique properties in metallic alloys.
Aims
The unit aims to:
- Provide an overview of advanced metal processing technologies used to produce components in high value added products (e.g. aerospace), including their applications, and advantages and disadvantages: with a focus on near-net-shape.
- Explore the metallurgical science behind advanced processing - the effect of the process conditions on a materials’ microstructure and the resultant component performance.
- Discuss how specialised metal processing can be used to obtain novel microstructures and unique properties in metallic alloys.
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).
Knowledge and understanding
• Recognize the use of advanced metal processing technologies and their applications
• Compare the advantages and disadvantages of different processing technologies
• Explain the metallurgical science behind advanced processing - the effect of the process conditions on microstructure and the resultant component performance
Intellectual skills
• Discuss the industrial drivers for processing difficult to shape advanced materials.
• Have a broad knowledge of the different technologies available for advanced processing semi-finished products and their advantages, disadvantages and applications.
• Understand the general metallurgical principles involved in each process to make them work and the mechanisms involved.
• Understand the issues, problems, and limitations of each process.
• Understand how the processes interact with the materials to change their microstructure and how this can be exploited to optimise the process and improve component performance,
• Demonstrate an understanding of the principles exploited in advanced processing of industrial alloys to overcome the challenges the materials present, design microstructures and develop improved properties.
• Have awareness of the applications of advanced processing technologies and the socio-economic benefits.
Practical skills
• Show improved logical reasoning, problem solving and ability in applied mathematics.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the effect of changing the chemistry and microstructure/architecture of a material on its properties.
• Apply simple models to predict processing conditions and material behaviours.
Transferable skills and personal qualities
• Perform simple calculations of to estimate processing variables
• Convert word problems into equations and numerical answers.
• Develop techniques for estimating the results from calculations.
• Work effectively in a group to solve problems.
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Written exam | 70% |
| Written assignment (inc essay) | 30% |
Feedback methods
Feedback given (Written and verbal)
Recommended reading
- “Phase transformations in Metals and Alloys”, D.A. Porter, K.E. Easterling, M. Sherif, Pub. Chapman and Hall, 2009.
- “Mechanical Metallurgy”, G.E. Dieter, McGraw-Hill
- “Additive Manufacturing Technologies”, Gibson, Rosen and Stucker ; Pub. Springer
- “Superplasticity in Metals and Ceramics”, T. G. Nieh, J. Wadsworth, O. D. Sherby, Cambridge University Press.
- “Powder Metallurgy Technology” , G. S. Upadhyaya , Universities Press, 2011
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 30 |
| Practical classes & workshops | 3 |
| Tutorials | 3 |
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 114 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Wajira Mirihanage | Unit coordinator |