You will be aware that the properties of materials are crucial for driving technology forward and be excited that they can act as instruments in global societal change.
Our new Masters (MSc) Materials Science and Engineering will develop a strong technical understanding of materials science and engineering, preparing you for a career in either materials-related industry or the academic research.
Taught by our world-renowned academics across the Faculty, you will see this as a pathway to jobs in advanced technology materials.
You may come from a variety of backgrounds. Indeed, the purpose of the MSc is to allow students with generic degrees in the physical sciences and engineering to become experts in materials-related themes.
Those without conventional degrees, but with extensive materials-related experience, may also be successfully considered for the course. Taking part in the MSc as part of continuing professional development for those employed in materials-related industry is encouraged.
The primary mission of the course is to develop a strong technical understanding of materials science and engineering, preparing you for a career in either materials-related industry or in academic research. Technical lecture information will be consolidated, using data analysis and problem-solving classes, to build critical investigative capability, badly needed in the workplace. Project management skills will also be honed through taught material, research projects and industrial placements, where appropriate.
The programme is supported by well-equipped laboratories, digital network and computing facilities, library access and lecture rooms. The interdisciplinary nature of the subject means that you will experience materials-related activity in a number of different environments across the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, in which both fundamental and applied research is done.
“Understanding and controlling the properties of materials is crucial for driving technology forward. This has always been the case: throughout human history, societal developments have relied on the materials used from stone to bronze, to iron and finally to silicon ages. This course will take graduates who have been educated in the physical sciences or engineering and build their knowledge of the fundamental and applied aspects of materials science to the point where they are prepared for employment in materials-related manufacturing or research and development.”
Prof Marty Gregg, Course Director for MSc in Materials Science and Engineering
The MSc is primarily intended as a conversion course, for those with primary degrees in the conventional physical sciences (Chemistry and Physics for example) or engineering. Equally, however, it may be used as part of a continuing professional development programme for those already employed in materials-related industry. The course content gives technical coverage across a wide variety of materials topics.
With a growing world population, there is increasing need for scientific experts and entrepreneurs who can develop novel materials with advanced properties - addressing critical issues from energy to healthcare - and take scientific discoveries to the commercial world. This degree combines frontline research-based teaching from across UCL to train the next generation of materials scientists.
The programme aims to equip students with advanced, comprehensive knowledge of materials science and related state-of-the-art technologies, an understanding of the structure, properties and applications of materials, scientific research skills, and the insight and capability to be an entrepreneur in the field. In addition, students will engage in a literature project and a six-month cutting-edge research project.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of five core modules (75 credits), two optional modules (30 credits), a literature project (15 credits) and a research project/dissertation (60 credits).
Core modules
Optional modules
Students choose one or two optional modules to a total value of 30 credits from the following:
Dissertation/report
All students undertake a literature project and a research project an independent research project which culminates in a 20-minute oral presentation and a dissertation of 10,000 to 12,000 words.
Teaching and learning
Teaching is delivered by lectures, interactive tutorials, case discussions, and modelling projects. Assessment is by a combination of ongoing coursework, presentations, a group project and/or a written examination, a dissertation and a viva voce.
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: Advanced Materials Science MSc
On graduation students will be equipped for a future career as a materials scientist or engineer in academia or industry, or as an entrepreneur.
Employability
In addition to the specific skills and knowledge students acquire by taking this programme, they also develop managerial and entrepreneurship skills, and transferable skills in areas including literature search, design of experiments, materials research, critical data analysis, teamwork and effective communication skills using real-life case scenarios and student-led group projects.
Advanced Materials Science MSc relates scientific theories to research and applications of advanced materials, encourages innovation and creative thinking, and contextualises scientific innovation within the global market and entrepreneurship.
The programme aims to deliver innovative teaching; from the group design projects where students are challenged to design the next advanced material to the module, Mastering Entrepreneurship, where students learn how to apply research in the commercial world.
Students on this interdisciplinary programme benefit from UCL’s emphasis on research-based learning and teaching and research input from departments across UCL in mathematical and physical sciences, and in engineering.
The Research Excellence Framework, or REF, is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. The 2014 REF was carried out by the UK's higher education funding bodies, and the results used to allocate research funding from 2015/16.
Learn more about the scope of UCL's research, and browse case studies, on our Research Impact website.
New materials underpin development and progress across a wide variety of sectors. New technologies, from planes to batteries, from hip implants to electronic devices, are made possible, and often limited by, the materials we currently know and use.
Materials Scientists and Engineers work hard to understand how and why materials behave the way they do, and exploit this knowledge to develop new materials with amazing properties.
This one-year master course comprises 12 taught modules (two-thirds of the year) taken in Semesters I and II and an individual research project (one-third of the year) carried out in Semester III and summer in a broad range of topics related to Materials Science and Engineering in any of the Research Groups within the School of Metallurgy and Materials.
Studying Materials Science and Engineering, you will develop a fundamental understanding of how the properties of a material, such as strength, electronic properties and biocompatibility, are affected by the material’s structure, such as its crystal structure or microstructure.
This knowledge can then be used to formulate strategies to develop new materials, such as alloys able to operate at higher temperatures for jet engine blades or high-toughness ceramics for armour applications. This programme will equip you with the skills required to join a wide variety of industries in the capacity of materials specialist, or continue your education at a PhD level.
This one-year master course comprises 12 taught modules (two-thirds of the year) taken in Semesters I and II and an individual research project (one-third of the year) carried out in Semester III & summer. In addition to technical modules, the course also provides training for transferable skills such as Communiation Skills and Effective Project Management.
Research projects can be carried out in a broad range of topics related to Materials Science and Engineering in any of the Research Groups within the School of Metallurgy and Materials or in industry. The project involves full-time research for one third of the academic year.
Related links
All students take twelve modules for a total 120 credits, plus a research project.
The programme is currently delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, project-based and laboratory-based teaching and learning methods.
Our graduates go on to become engineers and scientists at a wide variety of industrial partners, or opt to continue their studies at PhD level.
Typical employers:
University Careers Network
Preparation for your career should be one of the first things you think about as you start university. Whether you have a clear idea of where your future aspirations lie or want to consider the broad range of opportunities available once you have a Birmingham degree, our Careers Network can help you achieve your goal.
Our unique careers guidance service is tailored to your academic subject area, offering a specialised team (in each of the five academic colleges) who can give you expert advice. Our team source exclusive work experience opportunities to help you stand out amongst the competition, with mentoring, global internships and placements available to you. Once you have a career in your sights, one-to-one support with CVs and job applications will help give you the edge.
If you make the most of the wide range of services you will be able to develop your career from the moment you arrive.
This MSc is suited to talented engineers and scientists with a passion for understanding and creating innovative materials. It will equip you with core knowledge of Materials Science and Engineering that can be applied to any materials-based career, giving you flexibility in the job market.
This flexible MSc is a stand-alone qualification designed to prepare students to solve problems in materials science and engineering under the exacting conditions we encounter today.
The programme is broad, covering many aspects of both the science of materials and engineering applications, and includes course work and original research components.
Our students will have access to world leading knowledge and infrastructure by working on real projects as part of established research groups, and you will be motivated to develop your ability to research, design, assess, implement and review solutions to real-life engineering problems across a wide range of materials.
This course aims to equip you with knowledge and understanding of the key structural properties of different classes of materials. You will gain skills in characterisation of materials, in particular their structural, thermal, morphological and chemical properties.
You will use the principles and underlying theory of a range of characterisation methods – including X-ray Diffraction, Focussed Ion Beam, Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry, Atomic Force Microscopy, Electron Microscopy and Scanning Probe Microscopies – as well as a range of modelling tools, applicable to a broad spectrum of materials types at different length scales.
For full information on this course, including how to apply, see: http://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/pg/materials/advanced-materials/
If you have any enquiries you can contact our team at: [email protected]
It is estimated 70 per cent of innovations are due to an advance in materials. This course provides a solid grounding in all types of materials, and aims to prepare you for a career in industry or research by teaching you the concepts and theories that make materials science and engineering possible.
Our research-led teaching introduces you to all the latest developments; you’ll have the option to keep your course general or tailor your degree with optional modules to specialise in the area that interests you the most. Specialist modules include ceramic science and advanced solid state chemistry.
A friendly, forward-thinking community, our students and staff are on hand to welcome you to the department and ensure you settle into student life.
Your project supervisor will support you throughout your course. Plus you’ll have access to our extensive network of alumni, offering industry insight and valuable career advice to support your own career pathway.
Prospective employers recognise the value of our courses, and know that our students can apply their knowledge to industry. Our graduates work for organisations including Airbus, Rolls-Royce, the National Nuclear Laboratory and Saint-Gobain. Roles include materials development engineer, reactor engineer and research manager. They also work in academia in the UK and abroad.
90 per cent of our graduates are employed or in further study 6 months after graduating, with an average starting salary of £27,000, the highest being £50,000.
We have invested in extensive, world-class equipment and facilities to provide a stimulating learning environment. Our laboratories are equipped to a high standard, with specialist facilities for each area of research.
Tools and production facilities for materials processing, fabrication and testing, including wet chemical processing for ceramics and polymers, rapid solidification and water atomisation for nanoscale metallic materials, and extensive facilities for deposition of functional and structural coatings.
Our £3million advanced nuclear materials research facility provides a high-quality environment for research on radioactive waste and disposal. Our unique thermomechanical compression and arbitrary strain path equipment is used for simulation of hot deformation.
You’ll have access to newly refurbished array of microscopy and analysis equipment, x-ray facilities, and surface analysis techniques covering state-of-the-art XPS and SIMS. There are also laboratories for cell and tissue culture, and facilities for measuring electrical, magnetic and mechanical properties.
The Kroto Research Institute and the Nanoscience and Technology Centre enhance our capabilities in materials fabrication and characterisation, and we have a computer cluster for modelling from the atomistic through nano and mesoscopic to the macroscopic.
An interdisciplinary research-led department; our network of world leading academics at the cutting edge of their research inform our courses providing a stimulating, dynamic environment in which to study.
Working alongside students and staff from across the globe, you’ll tackle real-world projects, and attend lectures, seminars and laboratory classes delivered by academic and industry experts.
You’ll be assessed by formal examinations, coursework assignments and a dissertation.
The masters course in Polymer Materials Science and Engineering, offered in partnership with the School of Chemistry, is multi-disciplinary: it provides Chemists, Materials Scientists and Engineers with a rich understanding of both traditional commodity plastics and speciality polymers with increasing applications in the biomedical and pharmaceutical fields, and in electronics and nanotechnology. The full range of issues, from fundamental polymer science, through polymer processing, to manufacturing are all covered.
The taught part of the programme is based on discrete compulsory and optional taught course units.
Example of taught units on this course are:
Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: [email protected]
The majority of graduates of this programme go on to fill key posts as materials scientists, engineers, managers and consultants in academia, industry and research and development. Some advance to PhD programmes within the School.
The course is designed to equip students with the know-how and skills for becoming an expert in materials science with nanotechnology specialisation.
You will experience the unique combination of a foundation semester in the general area of science and engineering of materials, followed by a nanoscience and nanotechnology specific semester to result in an unrivalled comprehensive nanomaterials expertise.
The course content reflects the highly interdisciplinary nature of this subject and allows students to specialise via options, and a major project.
A friendly, forward-thinking community, our students and staff are on hand to welcome you to the department and ensure you settle into student life.
Your project supervisor will support you throughout your course. Plus you’ll have access to our extensive network of alumni, offering industry insight and valuable career advice to support your own career pathway.
Prospective employers recognise the value of our courses, and know that our students can apply their knowledge to industry. Our graduates work for organisations including Airbus, Rolls-Royce, the National Nuclear Laboratory and Saint-Gobain. Roles include materials development engineer, reactor engineer and research manager. They also work in academia in the UK and abroad.
90 per cent of our graduates are employed or in further study 6 months after graduating, with an average starting salary of £27,000, the highest being £50,000.
We have invested in extensive, world-class equipment and facilities to provide a stimulating learning environment. Our laboratories are equipped to a high standard, with specialist facilities for each area of research.
Tools and production facilities for materials processing, fabrication and testing, including wet chemical processing for ceramics and polymers, rapid solidification and water atomisation for nanoscale metallic materials, and extensive facilities for deposition of functional and structural coatings.
Our £3million advanced nuclear materials research facility provides a high-quality environment for research on radioactive waste and disposal. Our unique thermomechanical compression and arbitrary strain path equipment is used for simulation of hot deformation.
You’ll have access to newly refurbished array of microscopy and analysis equipment, x-ray facilities, and surface analysis techniques covering state-of-the-art XPS and SIMS. There are also laboratories for cell and tissue culture, and facilities for measuring electrical, magnetic and mechanical properties.
The Kroto Research Institute and the Nanoscience and Technology Centre enhance our capabilities in materials fabrication and characterisation, and we have a computer cluster for modelling from the atomistic through nano and mesoscopic to the macroscopic.
An interdisciplinary research-led department; our network of world leading academics at the cutting edge of their research inform our courses providing a stimulating, dynamic environment in which to study.
Working alongside students and staff from across the globe, you’ll tackle real-world projects, and attend lectures, seminars and laboratory classes delivered by academic and industry experts.
You’ll be assessed by formal examinations, coursework assignments and a dissertation.
The Molecular Modelling and Materials Science MRes programme provides training in the key area of the application of state-of-the-art computer modelling and experimental characterisation techniques to determine the structure, properties and functionalities of materials and complex molecules.
The programme provides specific training in molecular modelling methods and structure determination and characterisation techniques applicable to the materials sciences, together with tuition in research methods and the use of literature sources. The taught modules cover both specialist scientific topics and general project management and professional skills training relevant to the industrial environment.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of two core modules (45 credits), two optional modules (30 credits) and a research project (105 credits).
Core modules
Students take both modules listed below (45 credits) and submit a research dissertation (105 credits).
Optional modules
Students take 2 modules drawn from the following or take one from following and one from UCL postgraduate course worth 15 credits.
Dissertation/report
All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a substantial dissertation of approximately 12,000 to 15,000 words, and an oral presentation.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, practical classes and seminars. Assessment is through unseen examination, presentation, coursework and the research project.
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: Molecular Modelling and Materials Science MRes
This MRes provides the ideal foundation for employment in a range of industries or further doctoral research, with increasing career opportunities in sectors including sustainable energy, catalysis, nanotechnology, biomedical materials and pharmaceuticals.
Recent career destinations for this degree
Employability
The training provided by this program will enable the student to enter into a wide range of fields. Students may continue in academia to complete a PhD or pursue teaching as a profession. Students with the skills obtained during this study are highly sought after by the industrial sector, including IT, sustainable energy, catalysis, nanotechnology, biomedical materials and pharmaceuticals. Students are very likely to be welcome in the financial sector.
Careers data is taken from the ‘Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education’ survey undertaken by HESA looking at the destinations of UK and EU students in the 2013–2015 graduating cohorts six months after graduation.
UCL Chemistry's interests and research activities span the whole spectrum of chemistry from the development of new drugs to the prediction of the structure of new catalytic materials.
This programme was established by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council in response to the needs of industry for highly qualified research leaders with industrial experience and it provides for significant collaboration between academic institutions and industry.
The Research Excellence Framework, or REF, is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. The 2014 REF was carried out by the UK's higher education funding bodies, and the results used to allocate research funding from 2015/16.
The following REF score was awarded to the department: Chemistry
94% rated 4* (‘world-leading’) or 3* (‘internationally excellent’)
Learn more about the scope of UCL's research, and browse case studies, on our Research Impact website.
This challenging inter-disciplinary programme spans the major classes of engineering materials used in modern high technology manufacturing and industry. The course has considerable variety and offers career opportunities across a wide range of industry sectors, where qualified materials scientists and engineers are highly sought after.
This course is accredited by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3), allowing progression towards professional chartered status (CEng) after a period of relevant graduate-level employment.
Core study areas include advanced characterisation techniques, surface engineering, processing and properties of ceramics and metals, design with engineering materials, sustainability and a project.
Optional study areas include plastics processing technology, industrial case studies, materials modelling, adhesive bonding, rubber compounding and processing, and polymer properties.
See the website http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/programmes/departments/materials/materials-science-tech/
Full-time Modules:
Core Modules
- Advanced Characterisation Techniques (SL)
- Surface Engineering (SL)
- Ceramics: Processing and Properties (SL)
- Design with Engineering Materials (SL)
- Sustainable Use of Materials (OW)
- Metals: Processing and Properties (SL)
- MSc Project
Optional Modules
- Plastics Processing Technology (OW)
- Industrial Case Studies (OW)
- Materials Modelling (SL)
Part-time Modules:
Core Modules
- Ceramics: Processing and Properties (DL)
- Design with Engineering Materials (DL)
- Sustainable Use of Materials (OW or DL)
- Metals: Processing and Properties (DL)
- Surface Engineering (DL)
- Plastics Processing Technology (OW)
- MSc Project
Optional Modules
- Industrial Case Studies (OW)
- Adhesive Bonding (OW)
- Rubber Compounding and Processing (OW or DL)
Alternative modules:*
- Polymer Properties (DL)
- Advanced Characterisation Techniques (SL)
- Materials Modelling (SL)
Key: SL = Semester-long, OW = One week, DL = Distance-learning
Alternative modules* are only available under certain circumstances by agreement with the Programme Director.
Interviews may be held on consideration of a prospective student’s application form. Overseas students are often accepted on their grades and strong recommendation from suitable referees.
The MSc comprises a combination of semester-long and one week modules for full-time students, whilst part-time students study a mix of one week and distance-learning modules.
MSc students undertake a major project many of which are sponsored by our industrial partners. Part-time student projects are often specified in conjunction with their sponsoring company and undertaken at their place of work.
All modules are 15 credits. The MSc project is 60 credits.
MSc: 180 credits – six core and two optional modules, plus the MSc project.
PG Diploma: 120 credits – six core and two optional modules.
PG Certificate: 60 credits – four core modules.
- Assessment
Modules are assessed by a combination of written examination, set coursework exercises and laboratory reports. The project is assessed by a dissertation, literature review and oral presentation.
- Accreditation
Both MSc programmes are accredited by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3), allowing progression towards professional chartered status (CEng) after a period of relevant graduate-level employment.
Typical careers span many industrial sectors, including aerospace, power generation, automotive, construction and transport. Possible roles include technical and project management, R&D, technical support to manufacturing as well as sales and marketing.
Many of our best masters students continue their studies with us, joining our thriving community of PhD students engaged in materials projects of real-world significance
Bursaries are available for both UK / EU and international students, and scholarships are available for good overseas applicants.
The Department has contributed to the advancement and application of knowledge for well over 40 years. With 21 academics and a large support team, we have about 85 full and part-time MSc students, 70 PhD students and 20 research associates.
Our philosophy is based on the engineering application and use of materials which, when processed, are altered in structure and properties.
Our approach includes materials selection and design considerations as well as business and environmental implications.
- Facilities
We are also home to the Loughborough Materials Characterisation Centre – its state of-the-art equipment makes it one of the best suites of its kind in Europe used by academia and our industrial partners.
The Centre supports our research and teaching activities developing understanding of the interactions of structure and properties with processing and product performance.
- Research
Our research activity is organised into 4 main research groups; energy materials, advanced ceramics, surface engineering and advanced polymers. These cover a broad span of research areas working on today’s global challenges, including sustainability, nanomaterials, composites and processing. However, we adopt an interdisciplinary approach to our research and frequently interact with other departments and Research Schools.
- Career prospects
Over **% of our graduates were in employment and / or further study six months after graduating. Our unrivalled links with industry are hugely beneficial to our students. We also tailor our courses according to industrial feedback and needs, ensuring our graduates are well prepared
Find out how to apply here http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/programmes/departments/materials/materials-science-tech/
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