Introduction to Materials Science

Course Content

The present course introduces the principles of materials science, covering metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites and explaining how their properties are influenced by atomic structure and bonding. Students will explore solid structures, including crystallography, and learn about defects such as vacancies and dislocations, which play a key role in material behaviour and stability. Key mechanical properties, including stress, strain, and strengthening mechanisms, will be examined, with a particular focus on metals.

Students will study binary phase diagrams and phase transformations to understand material stability, processing, and microstructural development. Practical applications across chemical engineering, biotechnology, materials science, and chemistry are highlighted, with examples also from mechanical and biomedical engineering, nanotechnology, and sustainable materials. These examples demonstrate the interdisciplinary impact and relevance of materials science.

Learning Outcomes

After successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Classify materials (metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites) and explain how chemical composition, atomic structure, and bonding influence their mechanical and thermal properties.
• Identify and describe atomic and crystal structures in materials, including body-centred cubic (BCC), face-centred cubic (FCC), and hexagonal close-packed (HCP) structures, and explain how these structures influence material properties such as strength and ductility.
• Explain the impact of atomic-level imperfections (vacancies, dislocations) and microstructural features (such as grain boundaries) on the mechanical properties, thermal stability, and overall behaviour of materials.
• Perform basic crystallographic calculations and interpret binary phase diagrams to determine phase composition and predict microstructural transformations in alloys and other materials.
• Demonstrate understanding of key mechanical properties, including stress, strain, elasticity, toughness, and hardness, and relate these properties to the behaviour of materials under various types of mechanical loading.
• Conduct laboratory work to prepare, characterise, and analyse materials using different analytical methods and document experimental results in lab reports.

Learning Methods and Activities

The course includes lectures, problem-solving and reflection exercises, and hands-on laboratory work, totalling 200 hours of guided and independent study. Students will engage in:

• Lectures (56 hours): Comprehensive presentations covering theoretical principles and interdisciplinary applications.
• Exercises (42 hours): Structured problem-solving and reflection sessions to reinforce key concepts and develop analytical skills in materials science.
• Laboratory Work (30 hours): Practical laboratory sessions providing hands-on experience in materials characterisation and testing methods, including microscopy and mechanical testing.
• Independent Study (72 hours): Self-guided study to deepen understanding of course materials and prepare for assessments.