Materials Science and Engineering

Never Stand Still Faculty of Science School of Materials Science and Engineering

Materials Science and Engineering at UNSW

The School of Materials Science and Engineering at UNSW is an internationally renowned educator and researcher. With more than 50 years experience and a prestigious heritage, our School is looking to the future with award winning academic staff, leading programs of study and research, and a drive to innovate for a technologically advanced and environmentally sustainable future for both business and society.

The major areas are:

Metallurgy, which underlies our most
widely used engineering materials, including aluminum, steel and copper. It includes: ore refinement, the chemistry of alloys, processing and manufacturing of engineered products, sustainable processes, material selection and performance analysis.

Our degrees foster the development of key analytical skills through real world application. We are extremely well equipped with a wide range of advanced computing, thermal analysis, mechanical testing, X-ray and optical and electron microscopy facilities. By joining our School, you can improve sustainability and boost competitiveness for Australian and global industries, whilst addressing topical environmental, economic and social issues. Projects being undertaken to develop sustainable processes for materials production aim to minimise pollution, waste and energy consumption, increase recyclability and add value to waste materials. Our Schools ongoing research has earned it an international reputation as a source of creativity, innovation and commercialisation. Advanced materials, nanotechnology, biomaterials, microelectronics and materials for energy conversion can provide a major competitive advantage in virtually every part of a nations manufacturing industry. For mineral rich nations, materials science is a priority area for research and development. Recent significant developments include the emergence of environmentally friendly and economical metal processing methods, advanced surface coatings, electrical and bioceramics, biodegradeable polymers, materials for energy conversion and nanotechnology.

Ceramics, including bioceramics, magnetic

materials, solid-state electronics, nuclear materials and super-conductors can be bricks, tiles, glass, pottery and refractories. Knowledge of the structure, properties and processing of ceramics enables the creation of custom made engineering materials of outstanding strength.

What Is Materials Science?

Materials Science is the underlying science of high-performance materials including composites, electronic materials, nano-materials and biomaterials, metals, ceramics, and plastics. It is the science of developing advanced materials, engineering new applications, customising innovative processing techniques and predicting material performance. It examines why materials behave the way they do, and how materials react in different situations. The study of materials science is intrinsically multidisciplinary with strong connections to physics, chemistry, biology, medicine and engineering. Materials scientists are involved in every aspect of technology, ranging from the design of materials appropriate for use in integrated circuits and biological applications, through to those materials needed for conventional and green energy generation.

Plastics and Composites are engineered polymers and tailored combinations of materials that are revolutionising the world of materials and replacing traditional materials.

Studying Materials Science at UNSW

Our goal is to equip our students to participate in the technological revolution that is transforming the world we live in. Our students acquire the skills and experience to develop new products and technologies that will make our lives safer, more convenient, more prosperous and more sustainable. The integration and breadth of lectures, practical work and research components in our courses provide a strong foundation in the principles and application of science to allow advanced levels of specialisation and the opportunity to be involved in cutting-edge research in later years. Our extensive network of links with industry gives our students the opportunity to develop valuable relationships with Australias vibrant materials engineering enterprises.

Undergraduate Degrees in Materials Science and Engineering

Entry to Materials Science and Engineering degrees assumes knowledge of HSC Mathematics Extension 1 and Physics. Our students attend lectures, practical hands-on laboratory work, research and design projects and industrial placements. More details on individual degrees are available from our website.

Codes Degree Duration Description (UNSW) Bachelor of Engineering 3135 4 years (Materials Science and Engineering) Full-time Bachelor of Engineering 3137 5 years (Materials Science and Engineering)/ Full-time Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical Engineering) Bachelor of Engineering 3136 5.5 years (Materials Science and Engineering)/ Full-time Bachelor of Commerce Bachelor of Engineering 3138 5 years (Materials Science and Engineering)/ Full-time Master of Biomedical Engineering Bachelor of Science (BSc) 3970 3 years with major in Materials Science Full-time Bachelor of Science in 3617 4 years Nanotechnology Full-time Bachelor of Science 3972 4 years (Advanced Science) Full-time The degrees subjects include: design of materials, materials processing, applications, fundamental science of materials, computing, engineering design. Research project in 4th year. (Accredited by Engineers Australia) The degree caters specifically for students wishing to pursue a career in the related disciplines of materials engineering and chemical engineering with professional accreditation in both disciplines. It is a new and unique combination of professional qualifications that no other Australian institution currently offers. The degree is intended for potential engineers in the fields of Physical Metallurgy, Materials Engineering, Ceramic Engineering or Process Metallurgy who wish to become more aware of economic and social aspects of the engineering profession, and skilled in technical management. The degree details the development, processing, and application of materials used in many areas of biomedical engineering including orthopaedics, dental and maxilliofacial implants, artificial vascular materials, controlled drug delivery, prosthetics and orthotics, and device housings. Includes Masters project in 5th year. This major in the BSc degree is intended for students wanting to work in materials-related research and technology as well as in more generalist Science areas. Students can combine the Materials Science major with courses from other Science disciplines, as well as non-Science disciplines, to tailor the BSc degree to suit their needs and interest. The degree teaches subjects in materials science, nanotechnology, bio-nanotechnology, solid state physics, physical chemistry. The subjects are taught by the following Schools: Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry and Physics. This degree is designed to challenge students with an interest in critical thinking, research and innovation. This major in Materials Science provides an opportunity for students in the Advanced Science degree to carry out in-depth in research and to attain advanced courses

Industry Partnerships and Scholarship Opportunities

Our School has an extensive network of contacts with international and local industry and attracts substantial funds for research and scholarships, both undergraduate and postgraduate. Industry funded Scholarships and Awards are available for the Bachelorn of Engineering (Materials Science and Engineering) degree and our combined degree. Strong industry partnerships in undergraduate programs underline the keen demand for well-trained materials scientists in the marketplace. Our industry sponsors include OneSteel, Weir Minerals, Cochlear, Hitachi Chemical Company, Gujarat Coal, CSIRO, ANSTO, BHP Billiton, Parex Davco, Sandvik Tech, Boral, Rio Tinto, Anglo Coal, Bridges Broking and Bureau Veritas. To view the current list of sponsors, please visit our website. The School offers four types of scholarships: Co-op Scholarships valued at $16500 pa for up to 5 years (these are provided by industry sponsors and include a total of 16 months industrial experience during the course). Industry Partnership Awards valued at $3000 pa for up to 4 years (these are provided by industry sponsors, and include the opportunity for professional experience). Privately endowed scholarships valued at $2000 - $2500 pa for up to 4 years. School Awards valued at $1500 - $2000 pa for up to 4 years. For a full list of scholarships and application forms, visit www.scholarships.unsw.edu.au

Careers in Materials Science

Our internationally recognised degrees create local and international opportunities for graduates. The breadth and quality of skills developed by our students mean our graduates are sought after by a wide range of employers in the science and engineering sectors, as well as business and finance. The strong links between materials science and products in the marketplace mean that more employment opportunities are to be found in this area than in other areas of science. Applications for new materials and modifications to existing materials will keep the demand for trained materials scientists growing. Materials scientists and engineers work in areas of research and development, quality control, technical support, process improvement, technical sales and marketing. Employers of our recent graduates include OneSteel, BHP Billiton, Cochlear, Alcoa Alumnium, BlueScope Steel, Weir Minerals, Sandvik, CSIRO, Bosch, Ove Arup, Shinagawa,Thales Australia, A.T.Kearney, Evans and Peck, Hyder Consulting, Peabody Energy and Brickworks.

Postgraduate Degrees in Materials Science and Engineering

We offer five higher degrees, which may be taken full-time or part-time, internally or externally.

Postgraduate Degrees
Doctor of Philosophy Master of Science Master of Engineering Master of Philosophy Master of Science and Technology

Program Code 1045 2055 2175 2475 8715

Duration Full-time 3 - 4 years 1.5 -2 years 1.5 -2 years 1 - 1.5 years 1 year

Description 100% research 100% research 100% research 67% research and 33% coursework 25% research and 75% coursework

Postgraduate Research
Research and Teaching
Our Schools principal educational areas involve the broad areas of ceramics, metals, composites, and nanotechnology. We have one of the largest and most active programs in postgraduate research at the University of New South Wales. The Schools staff leads UNSW in both grant success and publication rates. Nearly all of the work is funded through research grants from Government agencies and industry. The main research themes of our School are in the following areas:

Areas of Strength:
Process Metallurgy and Particulate Modelling Advanced Functional and Structural Materials Physical Metallurgy Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage

Career Opportunities
Our internationally recognised degree creates local and international opportunities for graduates. Materials scientists and engineers work in areas of: research and development quality control technical support process improvement technical sales marketing Recent graduate employers include: OneSteel, BHP Billiton, Cochlear, Alcoa Alumnium, BlueScope Steel, Weir Minerals, Sandvik, CSIRO, Bosch, Ove Arup, Shinagawa, Thales Australia, A.T.Kearney, Evans and Peck, Hyder Consulting, Peabody Energy, Brickworks.

Emerging Areas:
Energy Materials Biomedical Materials Utilisation of Waste Materials Nuclear Materials Our Schools permanent academic staff currently consists of 9 Professors, 4 Associate Professors, 2 Senior Lecturers and 2 Lecturers. Applicants are encouraged to contact potential supervisors directly in order to discuss the nature of the research project and funding issues. Contact information and more information about specific ongoing research projects can be found on the Schools website.

A Students perspective
Saul Grith BE (Materials Science and Engineering)
I always liked making things, from art to woodwork to strange toys, and I felt Materials Science was a good place to go to learn about making stuff. I also realised that Science would provide me the opportunity to innovate. I was also offered a Co-op scholarship, and had the opportunity to study overseas for part of my degree. I felt the Materials Science degree was an excellent choice Materials Science gives you insight into the problems in many areas of Engineering and Science, from biology to semiconductor physics. It is all about structure and function and their inter-relationship.$30,000 Lemelson-MIT Student Prize for Innovation and founded Low Cost Eyeglasses. His invention produces prescription glasses within 10 minutes.)

University Contacts

David Trinh BE (Materials Science and Engineering)

The structured way of problem solving is, I would say, the aspect of the degree which has helped me the most in the years since I left the School highlights of studying at the School must be the camaraderie amongst the students, academics and research staff and this is only possible through the small size of the school my exchange placement in Sweden was also another highlight, which allowed me to explore the world outside Australia and to observe engineering in other cultures. (Former Co-op Scholarship holder, David completed a PhD at Linkping Universitet in Sweden working on a project with Sandvik Tooling.)

School of Materials Science and Engineering Faculty of Science The University of New South Wales UNSW Sydney NSW 2052 Australia T: +61 2 9385 5446 F: +61 2 9385 6565 E: asmith@materials.unsw.edu.au www.materials.unsw.edu.au General enquiries T: +61 2 9385 7788 F: +61 2 9385 4051 E: science@unsw.edu.au www.science.unsw.edu.au International admissions T: +61 2 9385 6996 F: +61 2 9385 9907 E: internationaloffice@unsw.edu.au www.international.unsw.edu.au

2013 Faculty of Science at the University of New South Wales. Information in this Guide is correct as at December 2012. The University and the Faculty of Science reserve the right to change any degree, admission requirements or other information herein without prior notice. We recommend that you check our websites for the most current information before making final selections or enrolling in any courses. The information contained in this publication applies to Australian Citizens, Australian Permanent Residents and New Zealand Citizens only. All International Students should contact the UNSW International Officer for further information at international.unsw.edu.au CRICOS Provider Number: 00098G (UNSW) Photo credits: National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University (USA) for the cover image and iStockphoto.

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