- UCAS course code
- J500
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Bachelor of Science (BSc)
BSc Materials Science and Engineering
Material scientists tackle some of the planet's greatest challenges and help shape the future of our world.
Duration: 3 years
Year of entry: 2025
UCAS course code: J500 / Institution code: M20
- Key features:
Scholarships available
Accredited course
- Typical A-level offer: AAB including specific subjects
- Typical contextual A-level offer: ABB including specific subjects
- Refugee/care-experienced offer: BBB including specific subjects
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 35 points overall with 6,6,5 at HL, including specific requirements
Course unit details:
Preliminary Physics
| Unit code | MATS16661 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 0 |
| Unit level | Level 4 |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 1 |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
This online unit covers a range of topics in Physics at A-level standard. It targets students who have not previously studied A-level, or equivalent, physics.
Aims
The unit aims to provide essential knowledge of physics for the study of materials science at undergraduate degree level.
Learning outcomes
A greater depth of the learning outcomes will be covered in the follwing sections:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Intellectual skills
- Practical skills
- Transferable skills and personal qualities
Teaching and learning methods
Lectures incorporating problem solving activities and two workshop sessions
Knowledge and understanding
- Explain conceptually the differences between solids, liquids and gases in terms of bonding and motion of atoms/molecules.
- Differentiate between the macroscopic (pressure, temperature) and the microscopic (kinetic energy of atoms/molecules) properties of a gas.
- Demonstrate an understanding of heat transfer in solids.
- Describe different forms of energy and conservation of energy.
- Calculate complex forces using vectors, moments and torque.
- Explain the differences between different wave motion and types.
- Explain how interference and diffraction occur and use relevant equations to calculate wavelengths or grating separations.
- Describe the concepts of capacitance and resistance and how these properties are affected in DC and AC circuits.
- Understand the link between basic physics concepts and application to materials science.
Intellectual skills
- Manipulation of physical equations with relevance to the field of materials science
- Understanding of how key concepts in physcs undelie physical properties of materials and characterisation techniques.
Practical skills
- Solve mathmetical problems analytically
- Apply physical principles to Materials Science and Engineering
Transferable skills and personal qualities
- Working in small groups and working collaboratively.
Feedback methods
Feedback is provided within the interactive problems classes.
Recommended reading
Tom Duncan, Advanced Physics, John Murray (2000). Nelkon and Parker, Advanced Level PhysicsTom Duncan, Advanced Physics, John Murray (2000).
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 10 |
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 80 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Andrew Thomas | Unit coordinator |