Materials Science and Engineering MEng, BEng

Program Overview

The Materials Science and Engineering program at the University of Leeds provides a multidisciplinary foundation in materials science, encompassing engineering, physics, and chemistry perspectives. Through hands-on laboratory work, research projects, and industrial placements, students gain a thorough understanding of materials synthesis, characterization, and applications, preparing them for successful careers in a wide range of industries. Graduates possess a highly sought-after combination of technical knowledge and transferable skills.

Program Outline

Materials Science and Engineering MEng, BEng | University of Leeds

Degree Overview:

This program is a multidisciplinary course that covers a broad spectrum of topics, combining teaching from across the Schools of Chemical and Process Engineering, Physics, and Chemistry. It equips students with a thorough grounding in the concepts that underpin materials science from an engineering, physics, and chemistry perspective, alongside learning a range of transferable skills to equip them for a career in this fast-moving field. The program aims to provide students with:

• The skills necessary to design, develop, and manufacture new materials.
• The knowledge and experience to pursue a successful career in materials science and engineering.

Outline:

Year 1:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Professional Engineering Skills:
Develops skills of a professional engineer through teamwork, communication, data analysis, engineering ethics, and project management.
• Engineering Mathematics: Provides fundamental mathematical methods for solving engineering problems.
• Materials Science and Engineering: Introduces the classes and properties of materials, their selection, and processing for various applications.
• Practical Materials Science 1: Develops practical skills in chemistry and physics laboratories through experiments and scientific report writing.
• Chemistry of the Material World: Provides a foundation in physical and inorganic chemistry, covering kinetics, thermodynamics, molecular levels, and transition metal chemistry.
• Introduction to Modern Chemistry: Introduces modern chemistry, focusing on electronic structure, chemical and structural properties of matter, chemical kinetics, thermodynamics, organic structures, and mechanisms.
• Core Physics 1 (JH) Mechanics, Thermodynamics and Solid State Physics: Explores fundamental physical theories and mathematical concepts related to mechanics, special relativity, thermodynamics, and solid-state physics.

Year 2:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Advanced Engineering Mathematics and Numerical Methods:
Teaches mathematical techniques for modeling engineering phenomena and using numerical methods to solve complex problems.
• Process Safety and Environmental Engineering: Develops core competencies in safety, engineering ethics, and sustainability.
• Materials Synthesis and Characterisation: Provides a deep understanding of the physical and chemical principles behind materials synthesis and characterization.
• Chemistry of Materials and Practical Materials Science 2: Covers inorganic solid-state structures, materials synthesis, characterization, and structure determination techniques.
• Fundamental Chemistry for Materials Science: Covers fundamental areas in chemistry that underpin solid-state chemistry, soft matter chemistry, and organic polymer synthesis and applications.
• Core Physics 2 (JH) – Statistical Mechanics and Condensed Matter: Explores fundamental physical theories and mathematical concepts related to statistical mechanics and condensed matter.

Year 3:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Materials for the Built Society: Covers the science and engineering of materials used in construction, such as steel, aluminum alloys, cement, plastics, and silicon.
• Chemistry and Application of Materials: Addresses three areas of contemporary materials chemistry: inorganic solid-state materials, soft matter, and polymer chemistry.
• Magnetism in Condensed Matter: Explores the theory and applications of magnetism in condensed matter, covering ferromagnetism, permanent magnets, and spin electronics.

Year 4 (MEng Program):

• Capstone Project: Students undertake their own materials research project, working closely with leading academics in state-of-the-art research laboratories.
• Research-led Teaching: Advanced materials topics from across the three Schools are covered.

Assessment:

• Methods:
• Written examinations at the end of each year.
• In-class and online tests.
• Assignments.
• Coursework in the form of reports, projects, presentations, and posters.
• Criteria:

Teaching:

• Methods:
• Lectures.
• Tutorials.
• Laboratory classes.
• Project work.
• Industrial visits.
• Faculty:
• Expert academics, including lecturers and professors.
• Industry professionals with years of experience.
• Trained postgraduate researchers.
• Unique Approaches:
• Integrated style of learning and teaching.
• Designated personal tutors for each student.
• Frequent academic tutorials and one-to-one meetings.

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths:
• Aerospace.
• Sustainable materials.
• Pharmaceuticals and fast-moving consumer goods.
• Armed forces and defense.
• Biomedical engineering.
• Consumer goods manufacturing.
• Sports equipment.
• Telecommunications.
• Transport.
• Opportunities:
• High demand for qualified materials scientists and engineers.
• University of Leeds graduates are highly sought after by top employers.
• Outcomes:
• Sir Henry Royce Institute for Advanced Materials: Students have access to specialist facilities and research opportunities.
• Study Abroad: Students can choose to spend a year studying abroad at one of the University's partner universities worldwide.
• Work Placements: Students can choose to undertake a one-year industrial work placement in the UK or overseas.
• Clubs and Societies: Over 300 clubs and societies are available for students to join, including academic societies across many disciplines.
• Leeds for Life Initiative: Helps students develop and demonstrate the skills and experience needed for their future careers.
• Employability Team: Provides specialist support and advice to help students find work experience, internships, industrial placements, and graduate positions.
• University Careers Centre: One of the largest in the country, providing resources and support for students.