School of Engineering and Materials Science Materials Science
Undergraduate Degree Programmes: • J510 MEng Materials Science and Engineering • JM10 MEng Materials Science and Engineering with Industrial Experience • J511 BEng Materials Science and Engineering
• JM11 BEng Materials Science and Engineering with Industrial Experience • J551 BSc Materials Science and Engineering
Materials Science
The School of Engineering and Materials Science The School of Engineering and Materials Science (SEMS) has a long standing reputation for excellent teaching and research involving international collaboration with industrial, clinical and university partners. Queen Mary has been teaching engineering for over 100 years and was the first UK university to establish a Materials Science degree. SEMS has a population of over 1,000 students and an annual intake of approximately 350 students on to a range of engineering and materials science degrees. SEMS is proud of its teaching and all of our degrees are ranked as either the best in London or within the top five (2014 National Student Survey) and Queen Mary itself has recently been recognised as one of the top 100 universities in the world (2014 QS World Ranking). Furthermore, SEMS is proud and excited to announce that we are investing ÂŁ25million to develop additional laboratory spaces which will include dedicated teaching areas exclusively for the use of our undergraduate students.
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Materials Science at Queen Mary Take the most exciting and revolutionary aspects of chemistry, physics, design, innovation and engineering, throw in a little biology and you have materials science what is commonly called the newest of the sciences. Or is it? The early pioneers and alchemists might recognise materials science more easily than the subject disciplines that we use today to describe the multi-disciplinary nature of materials science. These early pioneers and alchemists were dedicated to the control and understanding of matter in order to get improved performance or enhanced properties from the materials they found in the world around them. Thinking about the Bronze Age, Iron Age, and perhaps even the Silicone Age, what is the common denominator amongst the advances that each age brought with it? Individuals from each era modified materials to such an extend that a wide range of new applications, previously unheard of, was now in fact possible. It is possible to be part of the revolution that is materials science by taking the knowledge and skills learned in the traditional disciplines and moving towards the dynamic application of that knowledge. More recently the significant advances in design and technology have been made possible through materials science and the innovations it has brought. Have you ever wondered how the touch screen of a smartphone works? Or why it doesn't get as dirty as other items you may in fact use less frequently? If these are questions that have ever crossed your mind, then then you are already leading towards a career as a materials scientist.
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Degree structure
Materials Science at Queen Mary is offered as either a three year BEng/BSc or a four year MEng and both with an industrial experience year. During the first two years of the degree, you will gain a solid foundation in the principles of materials by studying core materials modules alongside two modules which are specialist to Materials Science. In Year 3 and Year 4, you will specialise in a greater number of modules specific to Materials Science. Year 4 allows you to pick the majority of the modules you will study which means you can tailor your studies to match your career aspirations. A description of each module, and what it entails, can be found on our website under 'Structure'. In order to fully support our first year students, who are new to university study, we have developed a new module called 'Transferable Skills for Engineers and Materials'. This module is designed to help students adapt to the challenges and requirements of reading for a degree.
Student Centred Learning Student Centred Learning (SCL) plays an important part in the Materials Science degrees. SCL is a concept used to enhance multidisciplinary skills using planned problem scenarios. It is an active way of learning that teaches you problem-solving skills while at the same time allowing you to acquire knowledge. This method of learning is very popular with our current students, who find it an accessible way to understand new concepts. Students work in small groups on case studies, normally involving practical work. During SCL students will learn how to use lab equipment, solve problems in an organised manner, use brainstorming and analyse and discuss experimental data using written reports, posters and oral presentations.
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The modules shown in bold are the specialist Materials Science modules
Year 1 Materials Science 1: Properties of Matter Materials Selection and Mechanical Modelling Mathematics for Materials Scientists Materials Science 2: Processing and Applications Transferable Skills for Engineers and Materials Student Centred Learning 1 Options: Exploring Aerospace Engineering Energy Conversion Systems Engineering Design Methods Year 2 Surfaces and Interfaces in Materials Composites for Aerospace Applications Polymers Chemistry for Materials Metals Structural Characterisation Student Centred Learning 2 Year 3 Individual Materials Research Project Environmental Properties of Materials Renewable Energy Materials Failure of Solids Ceramics Manufacturing Processes Materials Selection in Design Year 4 Optional Industrial Experience Year 5 Research and Design Materials Science Team Project Options: Advanced Polymer Synthesis Foundations of Intellectual Property Law and Management Introduction to Law for Science and Engineering Advanced Structure-Property Relationships in Materials Advanced Materials Characterisation Techniques Nanotechnology and Nanomedicine Chemical and Biological Sensors
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How you will learn
A variety of teaching methods are employed in SEMS, including lectures, small tutorials, laboratory practicals, Problem-Based Learning activities and project work. Specialist modules are delivered to small groups of Materials Science students. Assessment is continuous throughout your degree, with written reports, projects, presentations, group work and exams in the summer semester. You can revise for your exams using QMplus which is the University's online learning environment. QMplus allows you to access videos of your lectures and any associated handouts.
Research Projects In the third year, you will undertake a research project, which gets you involved with the cutting edge research taking place in SEMS. It is an opportunity for you to apply the skills and techniques learnt from previous years’ studies and to focus on your own particular area of interest. You will work on your own, but will get support, guidance and advice from your project supervisor, other members of staff, researchers and technicians. Examples of recent individual research projects include: • Developing models for predicting the impact of renewable biodiesel on food production • Working with companies developing body armour for police forces • Solar Energy Materials for Water Splitting We aim to produce projects that are of sufficient quality to be presented at international conferences or published in peer-review journals.
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Design Project In the fourth year, you will undertake a major design project. This offers you a challenging and realistic assignment, helping you prepare for the real world in professional materials science roles. You will manage your own project in association with academic supervisors and industrialists. The following are examples of previous group design projects: • Materials for energy security • Investigating smart membranes for thermomaterials • Impact tester for composite laminates This project is not only a stimulating and immensely enjoyable part of the degree, but is also highly valued by employers.
Facilities SEMS has excellent laboratory and computational facilities which include, amongst others, a Materials Analysis lab, several Cell and Tissue Labs and the Nanoforce Centre for making nano- and bio-materials. SEMS are excited to be spending £25 million on developing a new undergraduate Experimental and Testing Area which is to be completed in September 2015. The new facilities will encompass four specialist areas and will be fitted with bespoke equipment designed with the needs of our students in mind. We are also spending an additional £500,000 on new apparatus.
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Employability
Industrial Experience All our BEng and MEng degrees are available with an Industrial Experience component in which you will take a relevant industrial placement for one year. Students on these degrees will normally spend the year in industry after their second year of a BEng or third year of an MEng. The Industrial Experience year is not assessed as part of the students degree but is instead operated on a pass/fail basis. Students receive 120 credits for the year. There are many benefits to participating in a year of industrial experience, not only in the practical experience you will gain but also the professional contacts you will make. The year working in industry will significantly help you to develop communication, problem solving and team working skills. It will also give you invaluable experience to use when applying for professional positions after graduation. The year in industry also counts toward the requirements of applying to be a chartered engineer. Many employers will automatically offer a place on their graduate schemes to students who participated on year placements with them. SEMS has excellent links with industry which are essential for all our "with industrial experience" degrees. Students are not guaranteed an industrial placement and will have to be proactive in finding a suitable placement. However, we have a dedicated member of staff who will provide support in locating a placement with our extensive industrial links. There is an active Industrial Liaison forum, which has a direct impact on our degrees by encouraging employers to sponsor and support the students and to provide real design case studies to engage the students throughout the curriculum. Recent case studies that have been taught and assessed were delivered by Bridgestone, DePuy, Apatech, Artis, Corus, BAE, DSTL and Rolls Royce.
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Careers The materials industry is one of the world’s biggest industrial sectors, valued at over £200bn, and it grows every year, providing plenty of job opportunities in research and development and patient care. The Materials Science degree at Queen Mary provides students with a fantastic opportunity to enter rewarding careers in this expanding field. Our recent graduates have been employed in a wide range of roles, ranging from Research and Design roles for organisations such as Astrium and P&G, to working as project leaders and also to pursuing PhDs in specialist areas. The 2014 Destinations Survey confirmed that 85 per cent of our graduates were in employment and/or study six months after graduation. Graduates from SEMS have a strong earning power, with with an average salary of £24,000 six months after graduation (2014 National Student Survey).
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Staff teaching on your degree There are over 70 members of academic staff teaching within SEMS. Below are the specialist Materials Science staff:
Dr Eldad Avital Fluid Mechanics and acoustics: Computational Aero-Acoustics, Aerodynamics and Hydrodynamics, fluids-structure interaction, bio-fluids
Dr Himadri Gupta Biomaterials , Biomedical Materials and Engineering, Nanostructured Materials, nanoscale deformation mechanisms
Dr Helena Azevedo Peptide synthesis and characterization, self-assembling materials, biocatalysis, biopolymers, biomaterials
Dr Sergey Karabasov Fluid dynamics, computational aeroacoustics and aerodynamics, largeeddy simulations
Dr Ettore Barbieri Dynamic failure, fracture, computational solid mechanics, mesh free methods, partial differential equations solvers
Professor Ton Peijs Polymer technology, composite materials, nanocomposites, highperformance fibres, biobased materials.
Dr Russell Binions Chemical Vapour Deposition, Functional Metal Oxide Films, Metal Oxide Semiconductor Gas Sensors, Chromogenic Materials Dr Adrian Briggs Enhanced Heat Transfer, Two-Phase Flow, Condensation Professor James Busfield Rubber Research Group, finite element analysis, polymer materials Dr Andy Bushby Nanoindentation, Micro-mechanics, Biological materials Director of The NanoVision Centre for microscopy Dr Federico Carpi Biomedical and bioinspired mechatronic devices; polymer artificial muscles; electrical and magnetic systems for non-invasive diagnostics. Dr Steve Dunn Materials Chemistry, surface photochemistry, REDOX couples. Dr Julien Gautrot Synthesis and characterisation of biomaterials. Micro- and nanopatterning. Bio-interfaces. Stem cell biology.
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Dr Hazel Screen Connective tissue mechanics, microscale mechanics, nanoscale mechanics. Mr Raza Shah Engineering design and product development through the application of engineering and applied science and technology. Professor Gleb Sukhorukov Physical Chemistry, Biophysics, Materials Science. - Area of research: Multifunctional Nanoengineered Delivery Systems Dr Yi Sui Numerical methods, multiscale modelling, multiphase flow, contact line dynamics, oil/gas transport, biofluids, blood flow, capsule/cell dynamics Mr Adam Sutcliffe Design, manufacturing processes, CAD, future of design, industrial, product and service design solutions. Professor Magdalena Titirici Porous Materials, Energy Storage, CO2 Capture, Biofuels, Biomass and Waste Upgrade Dr Haixue Yan Ceramics Processing and Characterizations, Spark Plasma Sintering, Nano, Ferroelectrics and Piezoelectrics
Why Study Materials Science at Queen Mary? • Highly Rated degree Materials Science at Queen Mary is listed as the best in London for student satisfaction (2014 National Student Survey) and was in fact the first degree established in the country. • Accredited Degree Accreditation by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining enables graduates to progress to Chartered Engineer status. • Specialist Materials modules The degree offers a broad spectrum of stimulating materials science modules throughout the degree programme which start in the first semester of Year 1. • Experimental and Computational Facilities Students utilise a range of excellent laboratory facilities for experimental and computational practicals and project work. • Research Projects Individual 3rd year research projects provide a fantastic opportunity for students to participate in the internationally leading materials science research taking place at Queen Mary. • Staff Students are taught by enthusiastic, approachable and friendly staff, with internationally recognised expertise in many specialist areas of materials science. • Career Prospects Our graduates are highly valued by employers providing exciting materials science job opportunities and excellent employablitiy in a range of careers. • Student Satisfaction All our students are individually nurtured and encouraged to fulfill their true potential. This is reflected in our excellent ranking in the recent National Student Survey. • Queen Mary University of London Queen Mary has a long standing reputation for academic excellence with a friendly, diverse and multicultural campus situated in the heart of London and is one of the top 100 universities in the world (2014 QS World Ranking). • Member of the Russell Group Queen Mary is one of only 24 universities who make up the prestigious Russell Group. This Group represents the leading universities in the UK. Employers specifically target Russell Group universities because of the calibre of these institutions' graduates.
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For further information contact: School of Engineering and Materials Science Queen Mary University of London Mile End Road London E1 4NS Tel: +44 (0)20 7882 8736 email: sems-ugadmissions@qmul.ac.uk This brochure is intended as a summary guide for your reference. Please visit out website for full details on our degrees www.sems.qmul.ac.uk
The information given in this brochure is correct at the time of going to press. QMUL reserves the right to modify or cancel any statement in it and accepts no responsibility for the consequences of any such changes. 389_14
Any section of this publication is available upon request in accessible formats (large print, audio, etc.). For further information and assistance, please contact: Diversity Specialist, hr-equality@qmul.ac.uk, 020 7882 5585