Advanced Metallurgy MMet

Program Overview

The MMet Advanced Metallurgy program is a one-year postgraduate course that provides students with an in-depth understanding of current developments in metallurgy and metallurgical engineering. The program focuses on teaching the fundamentals of thermodynamics, structure, and mechanical behavior, as well as more advanced courses on engineering alloys, processing, modeling, and performance in service. Graduates are prepared for a wide range of careers in the metallurgical industry, including metallurgical engineer, materials scientist, process engineer, quality control engineer, and research and development. The program is fully accredited by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IoM3).

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The MMet Advanced Metallurgy program is a postgraduate course designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of current developments in metallurgy and metallurgical engineering. The program aims to equip students with enhanced analytical, research, project planning, and management skills. The course has been running since the early 1950s and has produced over 1,000 graduates, many of whom now hold senior positions in metallurgical companies worldwide. The program focuses on teaching the fundamentals of thermodynamics, structure, and mechanical behavior, as well as more advanced courses on engineering alloys, processing, modeling, and performance in service.

Outline:

The MMet Advanced Metallurgy program is a one-year full-time program. The module focuses on the physical metallurgy of these alloys to demonstrate the effect of alloying and its implications for processing, microstructure, and performance of structural components in various industrial sectors, particularly automotive and aerospace. (15 credits)

• Science of Materials: This module introduces key concepts in materials science, covering general aspects and applications of metallic, polymeric, and inorganic materials.
Topics include chemical bonding, basic crystallography, crystal defects, mechanical properties, phase diagrams, transformations, and overviews of metals, alloys, polymers, and inorganic solids. (15 credits)
• Materials Processing and Characterisation: This module introduces experimental methods used to characterize metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites, as well as the processes and technologies involved in their production.
The module covers two areas:
• Characterisation:
Analysis of materials using techniques like diffraction, spectroscopy, and thermal analysis.
• Processing: Manufacturing of materials and parts, including powder, thermomechanical, and molding processes.
(15 credits) (15 credits)
• Metallurgical Processing: This module examines three areas of materials engineering where performance can be improved through material use:
• Steel production:
Processes and technologies involved in steel production.
• Microstructure improvement: Methodologies for improving microstructure through thermomechanical processing.
• Plastic forming: Engineering principles of plastic forming and metallic production techniques like extrusion, rolling, and wire drawing.
(15 credits)
• Deformation, Fracture and Fatigue: This module explores important mechanical phenomena in metals processing and use, including:
• Plastic deformation:
Role of dislocations and effects of microstructural features on plastic deformation.
• Fracture: Linear elastic fracture mechanics, Griffith equation, Irwin stress intensity factors, and effects of plasticity on fracture.
• Fatigue: Total lifetime and damage tolerance approaches to fatigue.
(15 credits)
• Advanced Materials Manufacturing: This module introduces key concepts related to Materials 4.0, the fourth industrial revolution, and the role of modeling and simulation in achieving zero carbon emissions.
The module covers:
• Key drivers for zero carbon emissions:
Lithium battery manufacturing and coating technologies.
• Advanced manufacturing techniques: Underpinning the UK's future advanced materials manufacturing base.
• Advanced manufacturing process and material modeling: Solving industrial problems.
(15 credits)
• Heat and Materials with Application: This module presents the underlying theory of heat transfer and diffusion, covering the derivation and solution of engineering problems.
Topics include:
• Conduction, convection, and radiative heat transfer:
Individually and in combination.
• Diffusion: Fick's laws and chemical thermodynamics.
• Analytical solutions: Diffusion and heat transfer problems with various boundary conditions and geometry.
• Numerical solutions: Using the finite difference method.
(15 credits)
• Project: Students undertake a research project on a topic agreed upon with their allocated academic supervisor.
The project involves a literature survey, laboratory work, and a final report and presentation. (60 credits)

Assessment:

Students are assessed through a combination of formal examinations, coursework assignments, and a dissertation.

Teaching:

The program is taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, and laboratory classes. Students work alongside students and staff from across the globe, tackling real-world projects.

Careers:

The MMet Advanced Metallurgy program prepares graduates for a wide range of careers in the metallurgical industry, including:

• Metallurgical Engineer: Designing, developing, and manufacturing metallic materials for various applications.
• Materials Scientist: Researching and developing new materials with specific properties.
• Process Engineer: Optimizing and controlling metallurgical processes.
• Quality Control Engineer: Ensuring the quality of metallic materials and products.
• Research and Development: Conducting research and developing new technologies in the field of metallurgy.

Other:

The program is fully accredited by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IoM3). Graduates will have the underpinning knowledge for later professional registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).