Program Overview
The Foundation in Materials Science is a postgraduate program designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of materials science fundamentals and their relevance to dental materials. Students will develop knowledge in areas such as mechanical behavior, chemistry, and surface interactions of materials. The program is assessed through a written examination and experimental methods and data analysis assessment, and successful completion requires an overall mark of 50% or above.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Foundation in Materials Science is a postgraduate course designed to introduce or refresh fundamental principles of materials and materials science. It aims to help students understand how these concepts relate to the clinical use of dental materials.
Objectives:
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Apply a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of theoretical concepts of the mechanical behaviour of materials to relevant experiments performed in the laboratory.
- Evaluate the basic principles of mixing, using dental gypsum chemistry as an example, to the handling properties and processing of dental materials in general.
- Demonstrate how fundamental concepts of polymer chemistry and temperature affect the chemical and structural properties of dental materials.
- Specify the factors that affect the flow behaviour of materials and apply this knowledge to recognise their influence on the handling and performance of dental materials.
- Summarise the basic interaction of wetting a solid by a liquid, surface energy and nature of interfacial chemical bonding and its relevance to selection and use of dental materials.
Assessment:
The module is assessed by:
Written Examination (60%):
A 2-hour structured, short answer written examination comprising a choice of 8 from 12 questions.
Experimental Methods and Data Analysis Assessment (40%):
This assessment includes a peer-mark for effort within the group (~2-3 members), the experimental protocol, and write-up (Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussion, Conclusions). An overall mark of 50% or above must be obtained to pass the module, with each individual assessment scoring not less than 40%.
Other:
- This module is only available as part of MSc Dental Materials Science and the International Doctoral Training Programme.
University of Birmingham Summary
Overview:
The University of Birmingham is a leading global university with a strong focus on research and innovation. It is committed to developing solutions for a thriving planet and improving the health of people around the world.
Services Offered:
Student Life and Campus Experience:
The University of Birmingham offers a welcoming environment for students, with opportunities to settle in, make new friends, discover the city of Birmingham, and prepare for their studies. The university also has a vision for its campus development in the next 20 years, aiming to enhance and refine the global campuses.
Key Reasons to Study There:
Global Impact:
The university's research is focused on addressing major global issues, such as climate change and global health.Multidisciplinary Collaboration:
The university encourages collaboration across disciplines to drive innovation and find solutions to complex problems.Pioneering Breakthroughs:
The university is known for its pioneering research and breakthroughs in various fields.Academic Programs:
Other:
The university has five research challenge themes that guide its focus and draw on its vast expertise and resources. These themes showcase the university's pioneering breakthroughs, multidisciplinary collaboration, and significant global impact.
