Materials Science and Engineering Masters/MSc

Program Overview

The Materials Science and Engineering Masters/MSc program at the University of Birmingham trains graduates for careers in materials engineering and research. Students gain this knowledge through taught modules and a research project, which can be conducted in collaboration with industry partners. Graduates are prepared for careers in materials development, research, and other fields that require a strong understanding of materials.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Materials Science and Engineering Masters/MSc program at the University of Birmingham is a one-year, full-time postgraduate taught program designed for graduates seeking a research or technology development career in materials. It provides a strong foundation in advanced materials, concepts, and research skills, preparing students for careers in materials engineering and research, as well as for further studies at the PhD level. The program aims to equip students with a fundamental understanding of how material properties, such as strength, electronic properties, and biocompatibility, are influenced by their structure, including crystal structure and microstructure. This knowledge is then applied to develop strategies for creating new materials, such as alloys for high-temperature applications in jet engine blades or high-toughness ceramics for armor applications.

Outline:

The program consists of 180 credits distributed over 12 months. Two-thirds of the content (120 credits) is dedicated to taught modules, while the remaining one-third (60 credits) is devoted to an individual research project conducted during the summer.

Core Modules:

• Advanced Metallurgy and Manufacturing (20 credits): This module provides a comprehensive understanding of advanced metallurgical processes and manufacturing techniques, covering topics such as heat treatment, casting, forging, and powder metallurgy.
• Non-metallic Materials (20 credits): This module explores the properties, processing, and applications of various non-metallic materials, including ceramics, polymers, and composites.
• Research and Communication Skills (20 credits): This module focuses on developing essential research and communication skills, including literature review, experimental design, data analysis, and scientific writing.
• Research Project (60 credits): This module involves a full-time research project conducted over one-third of the academic year.
Students can choose from a wide range of topics related to Materials Science and Engineering within the School of Metallurgy and Materials or in industry.

Optional Modules:

Students can choose 60 credits from the following optional modules (all 10 credits):

• Battery Materials
• Biomaterials
• Design Against Failure
• Electron Microscopy
• Functional Materials
• Introduction to Materials Modelling
• Materials for Energy Generation and Storage
• Materials for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies
• Materials for Sustainable Environmental Technologies (MSET)
• Net Shape Manufacturing
• Physical Metallurgy (Titanium and Nickel)
• Polymer Science and Soft Matter
• Sensors and Composites
• Surface Engineering

Assessment:

The program is assessed through a combination of methods, including:

• Exams: Written examinations are used to assess students' understanding of core concepts and theories.
• Coursework: Assignments, reports, and presentations are used to evaluate students' ability to apply their knowledge and skills to practical problems.
• Research Project: The individual research project is assessed through a written report and an oral presentation.

Teaching:

The program is delivered through a variety of teaching methods, including:

• Lectures: Lectures provide a structured overview of key concepts and theories.
• Seminars: Seminars offer opportunities for in-depth discussions and critical analysis of specific topics.
• Tutorials: Tutorials provide personalized guidance and support to students.
• Project-based learning: Project-based learning allows students to apply their knowledge and skills to real-world problems.
• Laboratory-based learning: Laboratory-based learning provides hands-on experience with materials characterization and testing techniques.

Careers:

Graduates of the Materials Science and Engineering Masters/MSc program are well-prepared for a variety of careers in the materials industry, including:

• Research Scientist: Conducts research on the properties and behavior of materials.
• Process Engineer: Optimizes manufacturing processes for materials production.
• Quality Control Engineer: Ensures the quality and consistency of materials.

Other:

• The School of Metallurgy and Materials at the University of Birmingham is a major research center with world-class facilities.
• The program benefits from strong collaborations with a large number of industrial partners, including Rolls-Royce and Baosteel.
• Research activities span a wide range of scales, from the atomic level to components.
• The program emphasizes the development of transferable skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.

Annual tuition fee for 2024/25 UK students: £11,340 International students £29,340 All international applicants to this course will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of £2,000 on receipt of an offer, to secure their place. Postgraduate Loans (PGL) for Masters students UK and EU students (with settled or pre-settled status) looking to pursue a Masters programme in the UK can apply for a non-means-tested loan from the British government via the Student Loans Company (SLC). The loan will be paid directly to you, into a UK bank account. It is intended to provide a contribution towards the costs of Masters study and whether the loan is used towards fees, maintenance or other costs is at your own discretion.