FdEng Materials Engineering

Attendance

Part-time

Part-time – typically three years

Year one – you attend University on Wednesdays
Years two and three – you attend University on Mondays

At a glance

About this course

Materials are at the heart of engineering design and increasingly control how it advances. Materials’ science and engineering influence our lives each time we buy or use a device, machine or structure.

This course focuses on understanding the • structure • properties • processing • performance of materials. This includes developing new or improved materials and advanced processing methods. The links between designing and creating new products, processes and structures are critical.

Materials engineers continue to lead all of these and many other areas of engineering.

Demand for new and improved materials never stops and in an increasingly technological world, there are endless opportunities to refine and improve materials for the manufacturing industry.

This course allows you to study part-time at the University and do one work-based learning module in your workplace each year. Your employer must agree to give you the time and technical support you need to do this work during the working week.

The course provides you with a sound knowledge of a wide range of metallic, ceramic, polymeric and composite materials.

You study
• the relationships between metals and alloys and their associated manufacturing processes
• responsibilities of engineers to society and the environment
• advanced laboratory-based investigatory techniques

After successfully completing this foundation degree, you can apply for two more years of part-time study to gain a BEng (Honours) Materials Engineering.

Associated careers

The engineering industry employs materials engineers in many roles in many areas. These include the • energy • aerospace • electronics • defence industries. Our graduates have gained employment in • process management and control • quality assurance • research and development • design • technical liaison • sales.

Professional recognition

This course is accredited by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and the Institution of Engineering and Technology.

A foundation degree provides only part of the academic requirements for initial registration as a professional engineer. To achieve full accreditation you need a degree such as our BEng (Honours) Materials Engineering. This meets the academic requirements for incorporated engineer registration.

Course content

Year one

• engineering principles • engineering mathematics • materials science • engineering practice (work-based)

Year two

• computer methods for engineering design • materials and manufacturing processes • mathematics for mechanical engineers • product and process route evaluation (work-based) • physical examination and testing of materials

Year three

• physical metallurgy • chemical metallurgy • engineering polymers and ceramics • project

Assessment

• coursework • examinations

Entry requirements

Normally GCSEs grade C or above in four subjects including mathematics and English language plus one of the following

• an EdExcel/BTEC/SCOTVEC National Certificate or Diploma in a science or technology-based subject, including passes in mathematics and two other science or technology-based modules at N3 level

• at least two GCE A levels, to include mathematics or other acceptable mathematics-based subject, plus at least one other from physics, physical science, engineering science, computer science, technology, chemistry or other science or technology subject. We consider two AS level passes equal to one A level pass.

• an advanced VCE double award in an appropriate engineering or manufacturing topic

The course leader and admissions tutor consider mature candidates, with other non-standard qualifications, individually on merit. The main requirement is that you have the ability and commitment to progress satisfactorily on the course.

If English is not your first language you need one of the following
• British Council International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) overall band 6
• Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) grade B
• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) grade C
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score 550 for paper-based tests, or 213 for computer-based tests, or 79 for internet-based tests

Fees

Home and EU students

2013/14 academic year

Typically £6,000 a year

How to apply

Complete the application form available at www.shu.ac.uk/study/form

Contact details

For an informal discussion contact Mark Thompson on +44 (0)114 225 6867 or John Metcalf, the course leader, on +44 (0)114 225 4569. Or contact our engineering department, Sheffield Hallam University, City Campus, Howard Street, Sheffield S1 1WB, phone +44 (0)114 225 3409, fax +44 (0)114 225 3433, email aces-reception@shu.ac.uk