Skip to Content

Courses

Postgraduate Programme Specification

MSc Materials Science and Engineering

Academic Year 2022/23

A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance processes. All degrees are awarded by Queen's University Belfast.

Programme Title MSc Materials Science and Engineering Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)
Master of Science
Programme Code PHY-MSC-ME UCAS Code HECoS Code 100225 - Materials science - 100

ATAS Clearance Required

Yes

Health Check Required

No

Portfolio Required

--

Interview Required

--

Mode of Study Full Time or Part Time
Type of Programme Postgraduate Length of Programme Full Time - 1 Academic Year
Part Time - 2 Academic Years
Total Credits for Programme 180
Exit Awards available No

Institute Information

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

Mathematics & Physics

Quality Code
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code

Higher Education Credit Framework for England
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/higher-education-credit-framework-for-england

Level 7

Subject Benchmark Statements
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/quality-code/qualifications-frameworks.pdf

Materials (2017)

Accreditations (PSRB)

IOM3 - Institute for Materials, Minerals and Mining

Date of most recent Accreditation Visit 09-03-22

Regulation Information

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

Programme Specific Regulations

All students must have satisfactorily completed all of the required taught modules (120 Units) before they will be permitted to begin their research project.

Those students who choose to proceed to the Dissertation module, before all results of previous modules have been ratified by the Board of Examiners do so at their own risk.

Students who have failed the same module twice will normally not be permitted to proceed to the Research Project. These students may qualify for transfer to the Postgraduate Certificate in Materials Science and Engineering, or will be required to withdraw.

The Research Project must be passed for the award of the MSc. A student, who fails the Research Project, may be eligible to receive the Postgraduate Diploma in Materials Science and Engineering.

Students with protected characteristics

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

No

Educational Aims Of Programme

On completion of the programme the student will be able to:
Bring new knowledge to bear to allow greater insight into the nature and properties of materials;
Demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge gained in solving problems and accurately interpreting data relating to material properties and behaviour;
Manage a research project / investigation involving materials;

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Critically analyse data and solve materials-related problems

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures; 'dry' practical classes; assignments; research project

Methods of Assessment

Assessed course work, Class tests, dissertation

Carry out structured organisation of their own work

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Developed through the independent coursework set (done outside of contact hours) and emphasised by the supervisor during their research project

Methods of Assessment

Assessed course work, dissertation

Demonstrate an ability for independent learning

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Emphasised and necessary for success in all aspects of the course

Methods of Assessment

Class tests, course work and dissertation

Combine knowledge from a variety of sources, including previous learning, to solve an advanced problem in materials science

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures and directed reading; dry practicals; research project; assignments

Methods of Assessment

Marking of dry practicals, research project dissertation and assignments.

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding in materials physics, chemistry and engineering

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Challenges involved in the "dry practicals" in which lecture content is applied to problem solving by the students. Directed self-study to achieve objectives in course work. Research project.

Methods of Assessment

Assessed coursework, Class tests, dissertation

Material characterisation techniques

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lecture course material specifically on characterisation along with assignments and associated dry practicals; for many the research project will also give experience in materials characterisation.

Methods of Assessment

Marking of relevant dry practicals, assignments on characterisation and dissertation where relevant.

Material selection techniques

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures in materials selection strategies (e.g. use of Ashby diagrams); training on commercial materials selection software.

Methods of Assessment

Dry practicals and assignments on materials selection.

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Provide evidence of detailed knowledge of particular areas of Materials Science and Engineering

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, dry practicals, directed self-study and research project

Methods of Assessment

Project dissertation, written coursework, Class tests

Demonstrate a high degree of specialised knowledge in a chosen area of materias research

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Research project and associated literature surveys / reviews

Methods of Assessment

Project dissertation, written coursework, Class tests

Demonstrate evidence of advanced research skills in a chosen area of materials research

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Research project

Methods of Assessment

Project dissertation, written coursework.

Plan and execute a substantial investigation in a specific research area of materials including critical and quantitative assessment of their own work and the work of others

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

One-to one supervision of substantial project performed individually in a current area of materials research; training in project management and project management software.

Methods of Assessment

Online safety tests, risk assessments, literature review, oral presentations, laboratory performance, oral review meeting, written report

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Search for, evaluate and reference relevant information from a range of sources

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Guidelines for formal reports and literature survey as part of dissertation

Methods of Assessment

Written coursework, literature review and project dissertation

Communicate complex information in a clear and concise manner both orally and in a written format with proper regard for the needs of the audience.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Guidelines for formal reports and literature surveys; feedback on oral presentations

Methods of Assessment

Written reports and dissertation; oral presentations as stage assessment in project; orally presented and written assignments.

Use software packages to analyse data, report results, manage projects and prepare documents.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Dry practicals; lecture module on data handling and project management; research project

Methods of Assessment

Coursework, project dissertation

Work independently while demonstrating time management and the ability to meet deadlines.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Dry practicals, independent coursework, research project; preparatory reading

Methods of Assessment

Coursework assessment, dissertation and Class tests

Work in a team situation

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Group elements in dry practicals; integration into a research team environment during research project

Methods of Assessment

Subset of dry practical student portfolio; supervisor "lab performance" element of research project marks

Problem-solving skills

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Dry practicals; assignments; research project

Methods of Assessment

Assessed course work

Appreciate and demonstrate the importance of health and safety, risk assessment and scientific ethics

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Safety training courses, lectures, workshops, personal supervision

Methods of Assessment

Project/lab risk assessments, online safety-tests, part of assessment of research project

Be able to apply knowledge, problem solving and group-working skills in a materials-related commercial / industrial context.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Time Spent in Commercial Environment undertaking Internship

Methods of Assessment

Written Report

Module Information

Stages and Modules

Module Title Module Code Level/ stage Credits

Availability

Duration Pre-requisite

Assessment

S1 S2 Core Option Coursework % Practical % Examination %
Project Management and Data Handling MTS7023 1 10 -- YES 2 weeks N YES -- 30% 30% 40%
Manufacturing and Processing of Materials MTS7024 1 10 -- YES 2 weeks N YES -- 25% 35% 40%
Research Project MTS7030 1 60 -- YES 12 weeks N YES -- 80% 20% 0%
Materials Selection and Characterisation MTS7022 1 20 -- YES 4 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Mechanical Properties of Materials MTS7002 1 20 YES -- 4 weeks N YES -- 30% 30% 40%
Polymers and Composites MTS7003 1 20 YES -- 4 weeks N YES -- 60% 0% 40%
Functional Properties of Materials MTS7021 1 20 -- YES 4 weeks N YES -- 25% 40% 35%
Microstructure in Materials MTS7001 1 20 YES -- 4 weeks N YES -- 30% 30% 40%

Notes

All 7 taught modules (120 units) must be completed and passed before undertaking the Research Project.