BSc Materials Science and Engineering

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.  In addition, it acts as a refresher course for other students. The course focuses on the physics associated with subjects in which you will be expected to demonstrate a good understanding of physics, such as the first year modules, Physics of Materials, Functional Materials and second year, Functional Behaviour. 

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

• 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.
• Explain the differences between different wave motion and types.
• Explain the behaviour of waves reflected or transmitted at different boundaries.
• Use equations to evaluate the refraction and reflection of light at different materials interfaces.
• Explain how interference and diffraction occur and use relevant equations to calculate wavelengths or grating separations.
• Describe the relationship between magnetism and electricity and use these concepts to explain how transformers work.
• Describe the concepts of capacitance and resistance and their use in circuits
• Describe the basics of quantum mechanics and how these were discovered
• Relate atomic number to electronic configuration based on orbital theory.
• Understand the links between basic physics concepts and application to materials science. 

• 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. 

• Solve mathmetical problems analytically
• Apply physical principles to Materials Science and Engineering

• Working in small groups and working collaboratively.

Feedback is provided within the interactive problems classes.

Reading lists are available online on the Canvas space for this course, and all recommended texts are available online so you don’t need to buy them!

Fundamentals of Physics I : Mechanics, Relativity, and Thermodynamics, Shankar, R. (available online) Chapters 1,3,4 ,5 and 6 and 17-19 are strongly recommended. Some of the other chapters will also help with Physics of Materials and if your maths is not strong take a look at chapter 16.

Fundamentals of Physics II : Electromagnetism, Optics, and Quantum Mechanics. Shankar, R. (available online) This book is strongly recommended: both for this course and more widely to help with the Physics you will need to understand Materials Science. It goes into much more detail than you need for this course.

Modern Introductory Physics,  Holbrow, Charles H. (available online). Again goes more deeply than needed for this course but contains very useful information that will be useful more widely in understanding Materials Science.

The Physics of Music and Color: Sound and Light Gunther, Leon (available online). A bit more general interest but still useful for some aspects of the course.

Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2027 will be £10,050 per annum. Tuition fees for international students will be £41,900 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 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 visit our undergraduate student finance pages and our the Department funding pages.