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

In addition to the formal entry requirements, the student is expected to have knowledge from the course
MT650E: Materials Physics and Materials Engineering

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

Part 1: Laboratory-based characterisation methods

• Optical metallography and microstructural analysis
• Electron microscopy (SEM, TEM), electron diffraction, EBSD and EDS
• Scanning probe microscopy (e.g. AFM)
• X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray spectroscopy
• Surface analysis (e.g. XPS, AES)
• X-ray radiography and tomography in a laboratory environment

Part 2: Synchrotron- and neutron-based characterisation methods

• Structure and properties of synchrotron light sources
• Advanced X-ray experiments at synchrotron radiation facilities (high-resolution diffraction, total scattering, small-angle scattering, tomography, spectroscopy, in situ and operando measurements)
• Structure and properties of neutron sources
• Neutron diffraction, small-angle neutron scattering, reflectometry and imaging
• Time-resolved experiments and studies under extreme conditions

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

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

1. Explain the physical principles underlying laboratory-based and large-scale characterisation methods, including the interaction between radiation/particles and matter.

2. Explain the structure and function of synchrotron radiation and neutron sources and their specific properties compared to laboratory-based techniques.

3. Describe how different methods provide complementary information on microstructure, crystal structure, composition and surface properties across different length and time scales.

Skills and abilities

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

4. Select and justify appropriate characterisation methods for investigating given materials science problems.

5. Interpret and critically analyse experimental data from microscopy, diffraction and scattering methods, including synchrotron and neutron experiments.

6. Perform simulations and analyse data from synchrotron and neutron experiments using computational tools.

Judgement and approach

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

7. Critically assess the possibilities and limitations of characterisation methods, including resolution, sensitivity, penetration depth and experimental uncertainties.

8. Assess data quality and reliability and identify potential sources of error and artefacts.

9. Reflect on ethical, safety-related and resource-related aspects of advanced experimental infrastructure, including the responsible use of large-scale research facilities.

Learning activities

Lectures, seminars, computer exercises, study visits and independent study.

Assessment

Requirements for a Pass (UA)

• Written examination (Learning outcomes 1–4, 8; 6 credits; UA)
• Computer exercises (Learning outcomes 5–6; 2 credits; Pass/Fail)
• Presentations and participation in seminars (Learning outcomes 7–9; 2 credits; Pass/Fail)

The final grade is based on the written examination.

Course literature and other study materials

Course literature and other learning resources

• Leng, Y. (2013). Materials Characterization: Introduction to Microscopic and Spectroscopic Methods, 2nd ed. Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH. Weinheim, Germany.
• Willmott, P. (2019). An Introduction to Synchrotron Radiation - Techniques and Applications: Wiley-Blackwell.
• Additional literature and scientific articles are selected by the teacher.

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.