- UCAS course code
- F203
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Master of Engineering (MEng)
MEng Materials Science and Engineering with Corrosion
Study materials science with a specialisation in the corrosion and protection of materials at Manchester- a world-leading centre of excellence.
Duration: 4 years
Year of entry: 2025
UCAS course code: F203 / 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
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 see our undergraduate fees pages and check the Department's funding pages .
Course unit details:
Natural Materials & Biological Matrices
| Unit code | MATS42402 |
|---|---|
| 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 extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex environment composed of a variety of proteins and sugars with specific functions
Aims
The programme unit aims to:
(i) Expand and develop knowledge and understanding of the extracellular matrix. This includes the various components of the matrix as well as their functions individually and acting in concert. The unit will also cover the design and use of biomaterials to mimic the natural extracellular matrix.
(ii) Introduce students to the use of statistical theory to develop design equations for the structure of electrospun polymer fibre networks to mimic the extracellular matrix for tissue engineering applications.
(iii) Explore structure-function relationships in collagenous soft tissues.
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, team project, personal assignment, presentations and reports. Reviewing of a published research article in lectures will be followed up with Blackboard-based questions to help students critically evaluate the studies.
Knowledge and understanding
- Explain the structure and role of all the major matrix components and how these interact in the various matrices found within the body.
- Explain how the characteristics of these matrices change as the body ages or during disease.
- Explain how biomaterials can be used to mimic the extracellular matrix and how these would be specialised for various applications.
- Use theory to predict the influence of fibre and network variables on the structure of electrospun polymer fibre networks and hence their suitability for use as scaffolds in tissue engineering.
- Explain how the structure of the extracellular matrix in collagenous soft tissues affects its mechanical properties.
Intellectual skills
- Evaluate and critique journal papers on biomaterials and the extracellular matrix.
- Derive and calculate key parameters that describe the structure and mechanics of fibre networks.
Practical skills
- Acquire experience in working with team members as a group.
- Reflect and improve your presentation skills.
Transferable skills and personal qualities
- Analytical capability and group work.
- Critical review.
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Written exam | 70% |
| Written assignment (inc essay) | 30% |
Feedback methods
Feedback given (written and verbal)
Recommended reading
Molecular Biology of the Cell, 4th edition by Bruce Alberts (provided in Blackboard and by the Library)
The Extracellular Matrix Facts Book, Shirley Ayad et.el., 2nd Edition (provided in Blackboard and by the Library)
Biochemistry, 5th edition by Lubert Stryer (provided in Blackboard and by the Library)
W.W. Sampson. Modelling Stochastic Fibrous Materials with Mathematica. Springer-Verlag, London, 2009; available to students as an e-book from University Library.
P. Fratzl. Collagen: Structure and mechanics. Springer, New York, 2008
Other specific reading material is provided on Bb.
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 30 |
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 120 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Olga Tsigkou | Unit coordinator |