Advanced Materials Engineering

Program Overview

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MSc Advanced Materials Engineering

Overview

This course is accredited by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and provides specialized knowledge in advanced materials engineering. It is information-rich and includes hands-on practical work utilizing a wide range of manufacturing, testing, and characterization equipment.

Mode of Study

• Part-time (available as Full-time)
• Duration: 3 years
• Start date: January and September

Course Details

Gain exposure to the latest trends in design, materials, manufacturing processes, testing, and advanced applications by taking full advantage of our modern technology and computing facilities. The course has been designed to provide you with knowledge of materials (Polymeric, Metallic, Ceramic, and Composite), allowing you to develop your skills further in more application and research-based areas of materials engineering such as smart materials and materials in energy-based applications.

How You'll Be Taught

This is a flexible part-time course starting in September or January. Normally, students will take three years to complete the programme. 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 you'll be working for professional clients.

Assessments

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

Facilities

Industry-relevant materials testing equipment within the course includes:

• Scanning Electron Microscopy
• EIS
• FTIR
• Corrosion chamber
• Micro-abrasion analysis
• Mechanical testing suite

Manufacturing facilities include:

• Polymer injection moulding
• Extrusion
• Various coating techniques

Modules

• Ceramic and Composite Materials (MEC11109)
• Energy Materials (MEC11110)
• Forensic Materials Engineering (MEC11112)
• MSc Project (ENG11100)
• Metallic Materials (MEC11115)
• Plastics Materials (MEC11116)
• Smart Materials and Surfaces (MEC11118)

Entry Requirements

• Bachelor (Honours) Degree at a 2:2 or above
• Background in a physical science or engineering subject
• Relevant work experience within the industry may be considered

English Language

• If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test
• Minimum English language requirements will apply

International Students

• Unable to enrol onto certain courses
• See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses

Admissions Policies

• Committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study
• Admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures

Fees & Funding

• Tuition fees for 2024/25:
  • Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland-Taught modules: £1,105
  • Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland-60 credit Dissertation module: £650
  • Overseas and EU-Taught modules: £3,050
  • Overseas and EU-Dissertation module: £2,095
• Fees for modules are calculated according to the number of credits (multiples of 20)
• The total fee you will pay is dependant upon the exit award you wish to achieve

Careers

• Studying for an MSc in Advanced Materials Engineering provides a comprehensive understanding of materials science principles and their applications across multiple disciplines
• This can equip you with a diverse range of skills that are valuable in various industries, particularly in:
  • Manufacturing
  • Design, energy engineering, and renewables
  • Chemical engineering
  • Offshore engineering, materials testing
  • Advising and assuring companies
  • Regulatory authorities and automotive
  • Aerospace and defence industries
• A materials engineer is a professional who specializes in understanding the properties, behaviors, and applications of different materials
• Their role encompasses various aspects of materials science and engineering, with a focus on designing, developing, testing, and optimizing materials for specific purposes.

Program Outline

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MSc Advanced Materials Engineering - Edinburgh Napier University

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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.

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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.

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Course Structure:

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

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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.

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Assessment:

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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• 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