Master of Engineering (MEng)

MEng Materials Science and Engineering with Nanomaterials

Explore nanomaterials, with a direct impact on all aspects of modern life.
  • Duration: 4 Years Full Time
  • Year of entry: 2025
  • UCAS course code: F206 / Institution code: M20
  • Key features:
  • Scholarships available
  • Accredited course

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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:
Structure of Solids

Course unit fact file
Unit code MATS16202
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 4
Teaching period(s) Semester 2
Offered by Department of Materials
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

This unit provides an introductory level overview of crystallography, crystal defects and the characterisation of crystal structures using simple X-ray diffraction techniques. 

Aims

The unit aims to allow students to: 
 
• Use Miller indices and Miller-Bravais notation to describe crystal directions and the orientation of crystal planes.
• Describe the different types of crystal defects including interstitial sites and vacancies 
• Use the concept of the Ewald sphere and reciprocal space to explain diffraction patterns
• Use X-ray diffraction for characterising simple crystal structures
• Describe X-ray generation and how a monochromatic X-ray beam can be produced
 

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 (online problem sessions), recommended textbooks, web resources, past exam papers, electronic supporting information (Blackboard), peer-assisted study sessions (PASS).

 

Knowledge and understanding

1.1 Derive Bragg’s Law for diffraction of X-rays from crystal planes. 
1.2 Describe characteristic and continuum X-ray generation.
1.3 Explain how a monochromatic X-ray beam can be produced.
1.4 Explain how to perform an X-ray diffraction experiment to determine crystal structure.
1.5 Use structure factor to explain the presence of systematic absences in X-ray diffraction patterns. 
1.6 Explain the factors that influence X-ray diffraction intensities.
1.7 Explain the factors that influence surface structure compared to the bulk material. 
1.8 Describe the different types of crystal defects including interstitial sites and vacancies.
 

Intellectual skills

2.1 Apply Bragg's law for the conversion of diffraction angle and d-spacing.
2.2 Show improved logical reasoning, problem solving and ability in applied mathematics particularly vector addition. 
2.3 Visualisation and representation of 3D structures.
 

Practical skills

3.1 Have an awareness of how to prepare a powder sample for X-ray diffraction analysis. 
3.2 Use the Weiss Zone Law to find crystal planes that belong to a common zone axis.
3.3 Use stereographic projections to demonstrate crystal symmetry in three dimensions.
3.4 Analyse a simple powder X-ray diffraction pattern to gain information about the structure of a material.
 

Transferable skills and personal qualities

4.1 Demonstrate improved logical reasoning. 
4.2 Explain the safety considerations necessary when using X-rays.
4.3 Visualise crystallographic problems in three dimensions.
 

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Written exam 70%
Written assignment (inc essay) 30%

Feedback methods

Feedback given verbal + written

Recommended reading

• “Elements of X-ray Diffraction”, B.D. Cullity, Addison-Wesley (1978). 
• “Diffraction for Material Scientists” J.M Schultz Prentice-Hall Inc (1982). 
• “The Basics of Crystallography and Diffraction” Christopher Hammond, Oxford University Press (1997).
• “Introduction to Solid State Physics” Kittel, John Wiley and Sons (1996). 
• “Crystallography and Crystal Defects” A Kelly and GW Groves and P Kidd (2000).
• Extensive online reference materials are linked on Blackboard including doitpoms website and youtube videos (e.g Lecture on the Braggs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-jE7BM902Q)
 

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures 20
Independent study hours
Independent study 80

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Sarah Haigh Unit coordinator

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