Entry requirements

1. Bachelor's degree of at least 180 credits within material engineering, machine engineering, physics, chemistry or the equivalent.

2. At least 22.5 credits of Mathematics.

3. English 6. Or: English level 2

Main field

CTMAV Materials Science

Progression level in relation to degree requirements

The course is part of the main field of Materials Science and may be included in a Master of Science degree in Materials Science (120 credits).

Course contents

Fundamental concepts within materials science:

• Atomic structure and symmetry of crystalline and polymeric materials, including digital visualisation tools.
• Defects, microstructure and non-crystalline materials.
• Deformation and diffusion mechanisms.
• Thermodynamics, phase transformations and phase diagrams.
• Diffusion in solids.
• Nucleation and grain growth during solidification and phase transformations.
• Important diffusional and martensitic phase transformations and their influence on microstructural development.
• Thermal, electronic, magnetic and optical properties.
• Advanced and emerging materials and their applications.
• Modern methods in materials science, including X-ray and electron techniques, as well as applications of machine learning in materials design and analysis.
• Sustainability aspects within materials science.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

In order to pass the course, the student must be able to:

1. Explain the relationship between structure, properties and applications of major material classes (metals, ceramics, polymers and composites) in typical technological applications

2. Explain the basis for material behaviour in different applications in terms of fundamental physical and chemical properties.

3. Explain, using figures and drawings, the structures of different crystalline and non-crystalline materials.

4. Describe how thermodynamic and kinetic processes govern microstructural development in materials through phase transformations, diffusion, nucleation and grain growth.

Skills and abilities

In order to pass the course, the student must be able to:

5. Estimate material properties such as strength and conductivity based on fundamental physical properties and atomic structures.

6. Interpret binary phase diagrams and construct such diagrams based on given thermodynamic conditions during different types of diffusional phase transformations.

7. Apply digital tools to visualise and analyse crystal structures in solid materials.

8. Carry out laboratory work within given time frames using appropriate methods.

9. Report methods and measurement results in written form.

10. Perform numerical simulations of a phase transformation process using a given simulation tool and present computational results based on knowledge of the specified material model.

Judgement and approach

In order to pass the course, the student must be able to:

11. Compare and discuss theoretical descriptions of material properties within the scope of the course.

12. Work systematically and critically evaluate results and the choice of methods for assessing material performance.

13. Analyse material behaviour, assess and manage related issues even when information is limited.

14. . Identify the need for additional knowledge and take responsibility for personal knowledge development.

Learning activities

Lectures, seminars, exercises, laboratory work, computer-based laboratory work, project work and independent study.

Assessment

Requirements for a Pass (UA):

• Written examination (UA), 9 credits (Learning outcomes 1–6 and 11).
• Laboratory reports (Pass/Fail), 1 credit (Learning outcomes 7–9).
• Presentations and participation in seminars (Pass/Fail), 3 credits (Learning outcomes 1 and 12–14).
• Project work (Pass/Fail), 2 credits (Learning outcome 10).

The final grade is based on the written examination.

Course literature and other study materials

Recommended course literature:

• Callister, W. D., Rethwisch, D. G. (2020) Materials Science and Engineering, 10th ed., John Wiley & Sons Pte Ltd, Hoboken, NJ, (SI-version)
• Porter, D.A., Easterling, K.E and Sherif, M.Y (2021). Phase Transformations in Metals and Alloys, 4rd ed., Boca Raton: CRC Press

Additional literature and scientific articles are determined by the instructor or selected by the student in consultation with the instructor.

Course evaluation

Malmö University provides students who participate in, or who have completed a course, with the opportunity to express their opinions and describe their experiences of the course by completing a course evaluation administered by the University. The University will compile and summarise the results of course evaluations. The University will also inform participants of the results and any decisions relating to measures taken in response to the course evaluations. The results will be made available to the students (HF 1:14).

Interim rules

If a course is no longer offered, or has undergone significant changes, the students must be offered two opportunities for re-examination based on the syllabus that applied at the time of registration, for a period of one year after the changes have been implemented. The syllabus is a translation of a Swedish source text.

Additional information

If a student has a Learning support decision, the examiner has the right to provide the student with an adapted test, or to allow the student to take the exam in a different format. The syllabus is a translation of a Swedish source text.