Materials Science and Engineering MSc

Overview

For graduates from a science, mathematics, technology or another engineering discipline, this course provides the knowledge and skills to convert to a specialism in materials science and engineering or metallurgy. The course is designed to meet the present needs and future challenges of advanced materials and manufacturing in areas such as transportation, bioengineering, energy, electronics and information technology, sport and sustainable development.

Alternatively, if you’re already a professional engineer in the materials sector, you’ll have the chance to expand your expertise to enhance your career prospects.

Core modules cover key topics such as materials structures, processing-structure-property relationships, characterisation and failure analysis. You’ll also choose optional modules to focus your specialism to suit your own career plans and interests. Taught by experts in world-class facilities, you’ll gain the skills to thrive in a growing and fast-changing field.

Specialist facilities

You’ll benefit from the chance to study in cutting-edge facilities where our researchers are pushing the boundaries of materials science, engineering and metallurgy. We have state-of-the-art preparative facilities for making and characterising a wide range of materials, as well as equipment and instrumentation for carrying out more fundamental studies into their process-microstructure-property relationships.

Accreditation

This degree is accredited by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3).

Learning and teaching

Our groundbreaking research feeds directly into teaching, and you’ll have regular contact with staff who are at the forefront of the discipline through lectures, seminars, tutorials, small group work and project meetings. Independent study is also important to the course, as you develop your problem-solving and research skills as well as your subject knowledge.

Assessment

You’ll be assessed using a range of techniques including case studies, technical reports, presentations, in-class tests, assignments, vivas and projects.

Career opportunities

There is currently an increasingly high demand for qualified materials scientists, materials engineers and metallurgists.

Career prospects are excellent and cover a wide range of industries concerned with the research and development of new and improved materials, materials synthesis and commercial production, and materials exploitation in cutting-edge applications in engineering and technology.

A bachelor degree with a 2:2 (hons) in engineering, a physical science or mathematics discipline. Applicants must have strong marks across a breadth of relevant modules, including mathematics and physical sciences. Relevant professional qualifications and experience may also be considered.