BSc/MEng Materials Science with an Integrated Foundation Year

A course which will allow students to gain essential knowledge and understanding of physical, electrical and magnetic principles  

The aim is to allow students to gain essential knowledge and understanding of physical, electrical and magnetic principles.

By the end of this course unit a student will be able to:

• Use the band theory of solids to explain the electronic properties of conductors, insulators and semiconductors and the role of doping in simple semiconductor devices (including the p-n junction).
• Analyse simple DC circuits consisting of capacitors or resistors under steady state conditions.
• Explain, with examples, the consequences and implications of electromagnetic induction.
• Describe the properties and interaction of electrically charged objects and electric fields, with reference to electrostatic forces, potential, potential energy and work.
• Determine the characteristics of magnetic fields resulting from simple configurations of current-carrying conductors.
• Describe the behaviour of moving charges or current-carrying conductors in magnetic fields (and its technological significance).
• Contrast the properties and behaviour of the common classes of magnetic materials (including superconductors).
• With reference to Bohr’s atomic model, account for the emission and absorption spectra of hydrogen.

Electrostatics, electric fields, electrical potential, energy and work.

Capacitors, resistors, DC circuits, electrical power.

Magnetic materials, superconductivity, magnetic fields and forces, motors.

Electromagnetic induction, Lenz’s law, generators and transformers.

Bohr’s hydrogen atom, absorption/emission, band theory of solids, semiconductors.

Lectures, tutorials, drop-in sessions, private study.

• Formative feedback will be given during lectures, tutorials and drop-in sessions. Targeted feedback will be given following coursework assessments. Summative and formative feedback will be given following assessments, including the final exam (exam script viewing is encouraged).

BIRD, J. 2005. Basic Engineering Mathematics [online book]. (ISBNO-7506-6575-0)
ADAMS, S. & ALLDAY, J. 2000. Advanced Physics. Oxford University Press, Oxford. (ISBN-10: 0199146802)
JOHNSON, K., et al. 2000. Advanced physics for you. Nelson Thornes, Cheltenham. (ISBN-10: 074875296X)
MUNCASTER, R., 1993. A-level physics (4th Edition). Stanley Thornes, Cheltenham. (ISBN:0748715843)
POPLE, S., 1998. Advanced physics through diagrams. Oxford University Press, Oxford. (ISBN: 9780199147212, 9780199147229, 0199147213)
AKRILL, T., BENNETT, G. & MILLAR, C., 2000. Practice in Physics (3rd Edition). Hodder & Stoughton Educational, London. (ISBN: 0340758139)
CUTNELL, J., & JOHNSON, K., 2005. Essentials of physics Hoboken, N.J. (ISBN: 0471713988) 

Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2027 will be £10,050 per annum. Tuition fees for international students will be £29,200 per annum.

For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.

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).

The Foundation Year Bursary is available to UK students who are registered on an undergraduate Foundation Year here and who has had a full financial assessment carried out by Student Finance.

Details of country-specific funding available to international students can be found within our International country profiles .

The University of Manchester is committed to attracting and supporting the very best students. We have a focus on nurturing talent and ability, therefore, we want to make sure that you have the opportunity to study here, regardless of your financial circumstances.

For information about scholarships please visit our undergraduate student finance pages and the Department funding pages that you intend to progress to after successfully completing the Foundation Year.