Advanced Materials Engineering MSc

Program Overview

Edinburgh Napier University's MSc Advanced Materials Engineering equips students with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills in material science principles and applications. By exploring polymeric, metallic, ceramic, and composite materials, the program prepares graduates for specialized roles in various industries, including manufacturing, design, energy, and aerospace. The program's close industry ties and hands-on approach provide students with in-demand expertise and enhance their career prospects. Graduates are highly sought after for their competence in materials design, development, and optimization.

Program Outline

MSc Advanced Materials Engineering - Edinburgh Napier University

Degree Overview:

This MSc program is offered only at selected universities in Scotland and is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of materials science principles and their applications across multiple disciplines. The program is information-rich and includes a significant amount of hands-on practical work utilizing a wide range of manufacturing, testing, and characterization equipment. The program aims to equip students with the knowledge, expertise, and practical skills necessary to succeed in the materials-related industries. Graduates from this program have a major advantage over other engineering graduates due to the limited number of graduates in this specialized field. Edinburgh Napier University has been successfully teaching a Master's program in materials engineering for over 20 years, leading the way in the study of this field. The program benefits from the experience of staff who undertake both academic research and commercial projects, which support students' learning experience.

Outline:

The program is designed to provide students with knowledge of materials (Polymeric, Metallic, Ceramic, and Composite) and allows them to develop their skills further in more application and research-based areas of materials engineering such as smart materials and materials in energy-based applications.

Course Structure:

• Mode of Study: Part-time (available as Full-time)
• Duration: 3 years
• Start Date: September, January

Modules:

• Ceramic and Composite Materials (MEC11109): This module provides a critical knowledge of engineering ceramics and composites, exploring their crystal structure, imperfections, and applications in thermal, electrical, mechanical, and optical properties.
It also investigates various manufacturing methods and properties of different families of composites, including metal matrix composites, ceramic matrix composites, polymer matrix composites, natural and structural composites. Non-destructive testing, joining, and failure mechanisms are also considered.
• Energy Materials (MEC11110): This module focuses on materials in energy production and storage, such as fuel cells, wind turbines, solar panels, offshore structures, biomass, nuclear catalytic materials, nanotechnology, processing techniques, heat transfer in materials, and instrumentation.
It also explores the role of materials engineering in the circular economy. It specifically covers mechanical testing, thermal testing, optical and electron microscopy, detection and identification, optical testing, non-destructive testing, processability testing, environmental testing, fire performance testing, and solderability testing. It also considers the failure of products and processes, along with case studies of major disasters where materials failures were considered significant contributors.
• MSc Project (ENG11100): This module focuses on project management, including planning, control, cost, problem-solving skills, report writing, and defending the outcome during a viva session.
The project is normally completed during 13 weeks of full-time research or part-time equivalent, 26 weeks.
• Metallic Materials (MEC11115): This module covers metallic structures, phase diagrams and transformations, deformation, and metal processing.
It also explores coatings and protection methods for metallic materials, such as electroless deposition. It also covers polymer blends, materials & process selection, and manufacturing with polymers, including injection molding, thermoforming, and extrusion.
• Smart Materials and Surfaces (MEC11118): This module explores smart materials, substrate/coating bonding, solid phase deposition, liquid phase deposition, vapor phase deposition, and surface properties and performance.

Assessment:

• Assessment methods include research and laboratory reports, presentations (oral and poster), and examinations.

Teaching:

• The program is a flexible part-time course starting in September or January.
• Students typically take three years to complete the program.
• Many part-time students undertake projects in their place of work.
• All projects are practically focused with an emphasis on using industry-standard manufacturing and testing equipment.
• Many projects are live, meaning students work for professional clients.

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths:
• Manufacturing
• Design, energy engineering, and renewables
• Chemical engineering
• Offshore engineering, materials testing
• Advising and assuring companies
• Regulatory authorities and automotive
• Aerospace and defense industries
• Skills Acquired:
• Technical skills through coursework, laboratory work, and research projects
• Soft skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and project management
• Employer Demand: Graduates with an MSc in Advanced Materials Engineering are highly sought after by employers seeking expertise in materials design, development, and optimization.

Other:

• The program is accredited by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining.
• The University has excellent industry links and encourages students to interact with industry.
• The program utilizes industry-relevant materials testing equipment, including Scanning Electron Microscopy, EIS, FTIR, corrosion chamber, micro-abrasion analysis, and the mechanical testing suite.
• Manufacturing facilities include Polymer injection molding, extrusion, and various coating techniques.

• Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland-Taught modules
• £1,105
• £tba
• Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland-60credit Dissertation module
• £650
• £tba
• Overseas and EU-Taught modules
• £3,050
• £tba
• Overseas and EU-Dissertation module
• £2,095
• £tba