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

Full entry requirementsHow to apply

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:
Functional Properties

Course unit fact file
Unit code MATS16302
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 4
Teaching period(s) Semester 2
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

The unit reviews the functional properties of materials and explains how they arise in terms of the underlying structure-property relationships. 

Aims

The unit aims to:

  • Provide an overview of the dielectric, ferroelectric, thermoelectric, magnetic, optical, semiconducting and thermal properties of materials. 
  • Introduce the principles underlying the exploitation of functional materials in practical devices.  
  • Explain the influence of size effects on functional properties.

 

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, on-line tests, question sheets, tutorials, laboratories, recommended textbooks, web resources, past exam papers, electronic supporting information (Blackboard) and peer-assisted study sessions (PASS)

 

Knowledge and understanding

a)      Lean to compare and discuss the functional behaviour of different types of materials.

b)      Explain how different types of functional properties can be measured.

c)      Obtain an understanding of the mechanisms that give rise to the different types of functional behaviour.

d)      Explain the relationships between structure and functional properties in a wide range of materials.

e)      Describe the factors that influence the behaviour of a material as its size is reduced.

f)       Discuss how specific combinations of structural and functional properties are exploited to produce practical devices.

Intellectual skills

a)      Achieve the ability to select appropriate functional materials for specific device applications.

b)      Gain an understanding of the effect of changing the chemical composition and structure of a material on its functional properties.

Practical skills

a)      Understand the practical aspects related to the measurement of fundamental magnetic, dielectric and semiconducting properties.

b)      Understand the practical aspects related to the assessment of the performance of solar cells.

Transferable skills and personal qualities

a)      Convert real application examples into equations and numerical answers.

b)      Develop techniques for estimating the results from calculations.

c)      Work effectively in a group to solve problems.

d)      Compose simple technical reports based on laboratory tests or model data.

Assessment methods

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

Feedback methods

Feedback given (wriiten)

Recommended reading

  • “Materials Science and Engineering - An Introduction”, W. D. Callister, D. G. Rethwisch, Pub. Wiley, 2010.  
  • “Electroceramics”, A.J. Moulson and J.M. Herbert, Pub. Wiley, 2003.

 

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures 20
Independent study hours
Independent study 80

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Alexander Eggeman Unit coordinator

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