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Materials Science and Engineering
School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering,
Faculty of Engineering
Course description
It is estimated that 70 per cent of innovations are due to an advance in materials. This course provides a solid grounding across a wide variety of materials, and aims to prepare you for a career in industry or research by teaching you the concepts and theories that make materials science and engineering possible.
Our research-led teaching introduces you to all the latest developments. You’ll have the option to keep your course general or tailor your degree with optional modules to specialise in the area that interests you the most.
Accreditation
Fully accredited by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining. Graduates will have the underpinning knowledge for later professional registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).
Modules
Core modules:
- Science of Materials
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This module introduces key concepts involved in materials science to cover general aspects and applications of metallic, polymeric and inorganic materials. Topics covered include: chemical bonding; basic crystallography of crystalline materials; crystal defects; mechanical properties and strength of materials; phase diagrams and transformations; overviews of metals and alloys; polymers and inorganic solids.
15 credits - Materials Processing and Characterisation
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This module introduces experimental methods used to characterise metals, polymers, ceramics and composites and the processes and technologies involved in the production of these materials.
15 credits
Topics covered are split into two areas:Characterisation: Analysis of materials using a range of techniques, e.g., diffraction, spectroscopy and thermal analysisProcessing: Manufacturing of materials and parts, e.g., powder, thermomechanical and moulding - Practical, Modelling and Digital Skills
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This module develops your skills in three linked areas:
15 credits
(a) materials characterisation laboratory skills including safe methods of working, completion of COSHH and risk assessments, and measurements using a range of practical techniques
(b) the use of computers for data handling and analysis (MATLAB) together with an introduction to finite element modelling (FEM) using ANSYS.
(c) the skills needed to search for scientific literature as well as technical skills for presenting data, including how to avoid plagiarism, referencing, formatting documents, drawing high quality graphs, critically reviewing literature and giving presentations. - Heat and Materials with Application
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This module presents the underlying theory of heat transfer and diffusion, covering the derivation and solution to important and frequently encountered engineering problems. Thus, conduction, convection and radiative heat transfer, on their own and in combination are considered, followed by an examination of diffusion (Fick's laws) and chemical thermodynamics. The course introduces analytical solutions to diffusion and heat transfer problems considering a range of boundary conditions and geometry. Spectral methods are covered briefly, with a focus on numerical solutions obtained using the finite difference method. The course is assessed through an exam and coursework. The exam assesses the background knowledge of heat transfer and diffusion, in addition to the ability to apply analytical solutions to solve industrial problems. A coursework assignment builds upon this knowledge to explore problems involving more complex boundary conditions and more detailed descriptions of material properties using the finite difference method.
15 credits - Project
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Students undertake a project on a topic agreed with their allocated academic supervisor; supervisor allocation takes into accounts students' specific interests. The project is an original research investigation carried out within a research group in the Department; to develop students' abilities to interact within a research group a defined piece of group work is undertaken early in the project. All projects include a literature survey involving students reading original papers and review articles from the scientific and technical literature. Most projects involve extensive laboratory work although some may be based primarily on a survey of the published literature or computational studies. The assessment of the project includes assessment of the group work, an interim report and final report along with a presentation on the work to staff and other students and an oral examination. Conduct throughout the project is also assessed.
60 credits
Choose one from this group
- Nuclear Reactor Engineering
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The module provides a broad base introduction to the theory and practice of nuclear reactors for power production. This includes those aspects of physics which represent the source of nuclear energy and the factors governing its release, as well as the key issues involved in the critical operation of nuclear cores. The relation of the science underlying successful operation with the needs for fuel preparation and engineering designs is emphasised. The module aims to provide students with a clear grasp of those aspects relevant to the design and operation of nuclear reactors along with an understanding of the principles of reactor design. The module will cover the techniques used to prepare nuclear fuels and process spent fuel. Students will develop an understanding of the present and future roles of nuclear reactors in energy provision.
15 credits - Functional and Structural Ceramics
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This unit covers inorganic and functional materials building on earlier courses. Coverage will focus on materials processing, crystal and defect chemistry, electrical transport, magnetic properties and theory, industrial applications and state of the art assessment of materials development strategies.
15 credits - Engineering Alloys
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This module covers engineering metallic alloys ranging from alloy steels, stainless steels, light alloys (i.e. aluminium alloys and titanium alloys) and high temperature metallic systems (intermetallics and nickel superalloys). The module centres on the physical metallurgy of such engineering alloys to demonstrate the effect of alloying and implications for the processing, microstructure and performance of structural components in a range of industrial sectors, but predominantly the automotive and aerospace sectors.
15 credits
And choose one from this group
- Glasses and Cements
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The materials science and technology of 1) glasses and 2) cement and concrete. The nature of amorphous glass structures for silicates, borates and phosphates is examined in some detail, along with the processes required to produce them. The mechanical properties of glasses and ways to improve them are detailed. Types of cement, their manufacture, and their reaction processes in setting/hardening and in service are discussed, and the importance of understanding glass chemistry in optimising modern cements is highlighted.
15 credits - Metallurgical Processing
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This module examines three areas of materials engineering where significant improvement in performance in-service can be obtained via their use. First, the module provides an introduction to the processes and technologies involved in the production of steel. Secondly, methodologies of how microstructure can be significantly improved via thermomechanical processing are investigated and aims to build insight into the operation and capabilities of thermomechanical processing techniques. Finally, this module will describe in detail the underlying engineering principles of plastic forming and focus on some of the main metallic production techniques such as extrusion, rolling and wire drawing.
15 credits - Advanced Nuclear Systems
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The aims of this module are to develop an understanding of the role of materials science and engineering in nuclear systems. The module will explore advanced nuclear concepts, including:
15 credits
(a.) Materials for nuclear energy systems: metallic systems for the reactor core, nuclear graphite, phase diagram of UO2* / PuO2* system, microstructure and chemistry of irradiated UO2*fuel.
(b.) Advanced nuclear systems: materials for Generation IV systems, future fuels, fusion systems, advanced fuel cycle concepts.
(c.) Nuclear materials performance: swelling, voiding; stress corrosion cracking, creep, and hydride formation.
(d.) Radiation damage: fundamental physics of radiation damage processes, models for damage accumulation, impact on mechanical properties.
(e.) The impact on materials design from nuclear accidents, such as Chernobyl and Fukushima.
*(UO2 is chemical formula for uranium dioxide. PuO2 is the chemical formula for plutonium dioxide. Both are oxide materials that can be used to make nuclear fuel.)
The module will be taught primarily through lectures, with contribution from external experts.
And choose one from this group
- Sustainable Materials Manufacturing
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Materials production technologies are often energy intensive resulting in high CO2 emissions as well as other environmental impacts. Many of these materials are also essential in enabling the green transition. This module will examine methods for carbon reduction across a range of the materials industries including steelmaking, bulk glass production and cement manufacture. The development of new production technologies and/or alternative compositions will be examined. This will be supported by a consideration of life cycle assessment and the potential for industrial symbiosis approaches for minimising the overall environmental impact of materials manufacturing processes.
15 credits
The overall aims of the module are to develop your knowledge and understanding of a) the environmental impacts of a range of current and novel materials production processes and b) potential approaches, and their technological limitations, to the decarbonisation of a range of materials production processes, c) the use of life cycle analysis in assessing the environmental impacts of materials processing routes. - Deformation, Fracture and Fatigue
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Deformation, fracture and fatigue are important mechanical phenomena in both metals processing and use. The role of dislocations in and the effects of microstructural features on the plastic deformation of metals is initially explored. Consideration of fracture starts with linear elastic fracture mechanics including the Griffith equation and Irwin stress intensity factors. The effects of plasticity effects on fracture in metals including plastic zones at crack tips and cyclical fatigue are considered in some detail. Both total lifetime approaches and damage tolerance approaches to fatigue are considered.
15 credits - Solid State Chemistry
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This unit aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of the main groups of functional inorganic materials, their synthesis, structure, properties and uses for a wide variety of specific applications.
15 credits
Inorganic solids have many applications as both functional and structural materials because of their ability to exhibit a complete spectrum of electrical, magnetic, optical, thermal and multifunctional properties.
This course follows on from the introductory courses MAT6664 and MAT6665. It extends structural chemistry to cover the most important crystal structures of inorganic materials, such as spinels, perovskites, fluorites and silicates and the various diffraction and spectroscopic techniques that may be used to characterise materials. Use and interpretation of phase diagrams is extended to cover ternary systems and phase transitions are introduced. Inorganic solids can have variable composition by ion substitutions and the strategies that are used to dope materials and modify their properties will be presented.
Structure-composition-property relations for a range of inorganic materials will be discussed and an overview given of their electrical, magnetic and optical properties. Examples include:
solid electrolytes, especially β-alumina and yttria-stabilised zirconia, their structures, electrical properties and applications
And choose one form this group
- Energy Generation and Storage
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Decarbonisation of society through electrification of transport and industry requires a large-scale switch to nuclear and renewable energy generation associated with non-fossil fuel based energy storage and recovery methods.
15 credits
The aims of this module are to develop your knowledge and understanding of the materials challenges inherent in
a) the next generation of nuclear reactors including fusion reactors; b) the hydrogen economy;
c) current and novel battery technologies and d) novel energy recovery technologies. - Design and Manufacture of Composites
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This module is designed to provide you with an understanding of both the design and manufacture of polymer composites and is presented in two sections. First, the design of composites is taught via tutorials on classical laminate theory. An extended series of worked examples provides you with the basic tools you need to design effective composite parts. Second, the manufacture of composites is taught via lectures. You will learn multiple routes for making composite parts alongside practical issues such as defects, machining/joints, failure, testing and non destructive testing, repair and SMART composites.
15 credits - Advanced Materials Manufacturing
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This unit introduces key concepts with regards to Materials 4.0, the fourth industrial revolution. Modelling and simulation is a key enabling technology within Aerospace Technology Institute's strategy to reach zero carbon emissions by 2050. Modelling allows for the rapid insertion of new materials and manufacturing processes, in addition to the improved understanding and optimisation of current methods. The course includes key drivers in reaching zero carbon emissions, covering lithium battery manufacturing and coating technologies.
15 credits
This unit aims to provide knowledge and experience of advanced manufacturing techniques that will underpin the UK's future advanced materials manufacturing base and obtain knowledge and experience of advanced manufacturing process and material modelling to solve industrial problems.
- Nanostructures and Nano-structuring
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This course aims to provide a combined introduction to important groups of nanostructured materials along with the key technologies of how to fabricate and characterise nanostructures. On the materials side, the focus is on free-standing nanoobjects or assemblies of these, ranging from functional nanoparticles (semiconducting, oxidic, metallic), over carbon nanotubes to metallic and insulating nanowires, to conclude with nanoporous materials. On the methodology side, methods of nanopatterning, nanocharacterisation, nanomanipulation or nanometrology are presented, including Focused Ion Beam microscopy, Scanning Probe microscopy, and piezoelectric actuation. Examples of application fields presented include electronic circuit elements, field emission, solar cells, energy storage, biomedical usage, structural composites, photonic crystals, and environmental remediation.
15 credits
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.
Open days
An open day gives you the best opportunity to hear first-hand from our current students and staff about our courses.
Book now for Wednesday 27 November
Duration
1 year-full-time
Teaching
Working alongside students and staff from across the globe, you’ll tackle real-world projects, and attend lectures, seminars and laboratory classes.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed by formal examinations, coursework assignments and a dissertation.
School
School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering
Materials science and engineering is an extraordinarily interdisciplinary subject that underpins so many aspects of our society and has a huge impact in pretty much all engineering sectors from aerospace, to automotive, to the biomedical sciences, the energy sector and beyond.
Sheffield has long been a centre of materials innovation, with a history of research excellence that can be traced back more than 135 years. Being at the centre of such a diverse subject area, our researchers at Sheffield are solving some of the most pressing challenges faced by society.
Our work covers solutions across all sustainability challenges from biodegradable polymers, to clean energy, to recyclability and decarbonisation within the foundation industries, to novel low-energy methods for the manufacture of materials for energy. For example we are champions of atomic energy leading the way towards effective solutions for nuclear waste immobilisation as well as designing the materials to enable atomic fusion thus providing solutions to green energy.
We strive to give you a valuable and unforgettable university experience. By accessing state-of-the-art multidisciplinary engineering laboratories, direct contact with industrial partners, and excellent learning resources, you will be given the opportunity and support to develop the skills you need to succeed at university and flourish in your career once you graduate.
Entry requirements
Minimum 2:1 undergraduate honours degree in a relevant subject with relevant modules.
Subject requirements
We accept degrees in the following subject areas:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Biochemistry
- Bioengineering / Biomedical Engineering
- Biology
- Biomedicine / Bioscience
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- General Engineering
- Materials Science / Materials Engineering / Materials Processing / Materials Science
- Mechanical Engineering
- Metals / Metallics / Metallurgy
- New Energy Materials and Devices
- Physics
We may also consider other science or engineering subjects
Module requirements
You should have studied at least one Mathematics module from the following list
- Calculus
- Linear Algebra
- Mathematics (or any other module with Mathematics in the title)
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 (with 6 in each component) or University equivalent.
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the school/department.
Fees and funding
Apply
You can apply now using our Postgraduate Online Application Form. It's a quick and easy process.
Contact
Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.
Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read information from the UK government and the EU Regulated Professions Database.