60101 Chemistry and Materials Science
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Anti-requisite(s): 68070 Introduction to Materials
Description
This subject develops a solid science foundation for further materials and engineering-related studies and facilitates the working relationship between engineers, materials scientists and other scientists; an ability to identify and solve chemical and materials problems; and an ability to relate properties of engineering materials to technical applications. Topics covered in this subject are: chemical bonding of materials and general chemistry, classification of materials, structure-property relationships, mechanical properties, heat treatment and strengthening mechanisms, ferrous and non-ferrous alloys, ceramics, polymers and composites, materials degradation, materials recycling and materials selection. Numerous applied examples are discussed. Laboratory work imparts practical skills and reinforces the underlying theories. This is an integral part of the subject along with tutorial workshops.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Understand and apply the basic principle of materials science and engineering, that microstructure controls properties and processing controls microstructure |
|---|---|
| 2. | Describe the different mechanical and physical behaviour of materials |
| 3. | Evaluate the role of standards with respect to material performance |
| 4. | Understand and use technical terms relating to materials science and engineering |
| 5. | Solve simple materials selection problems and critically assess materials selection procedures |
| 6. | Understand and apply various chemistry terms, molar calculations and chemical equations |
| 7. | Prepare a professional consultancy report evaluating mechanical properties of materials. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of following course intended learning outcomes:
- Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply abstraction, mathematics and discipline fundamentals, software, tools and techniques to evaluate, implement and operate systems. (D.1)
- Collaborative and Communicative: FEIT graduates work as an effective member or leader of diverse teams, communicating effectively and operating within cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural contexts in the workplace. (E.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This subject contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes:
Faculty of Engineering and IT Graduate Attributes
This subject contributes to the following FEIT Graduate Attributes:
D.1 Technically Proficience
E.1 Collaborative and Communicative
Faculty of Science Graduate Attributes
The following Science graduate attributes are assessed in this subject:
1. Disciplinary knowledge
An understanding of the nature, practice & application of the chosen science area of study. This is assessed in all assessment tasks.
2. Research, Inquiry and Critical Thinking
Encompasses problem solving, critical thinking and analysis attributes, and an understanding of the scientific method knowledge acquisition. Assessment tasks 2 (labs and workshops) and 3 (consultancy report) assess this graduate attribute.
3. Professional Ethical and Social Responsibility
The ability to acquire, develop, employ and integrate a range of technical, practical and professional skills, in appropriate and ethical ways. An awareness of the role of selecting appropriate materials to meet the needs of society is developed throughout the subject. This graduate attribute is assessed in assessment tasks 2 and 3.
5. Communication
Students will develop their written communication skills through the preparation of a consultancy report.
Teaching and learning strategies
- Lectures are provided with an emphasis on your participation and are supported by closely related laboratory and workshop programs. Examples related to your degree program will be used to illustrate the importance of the topic. Selected videos will reinforce concepts introduced. Topics presented in these videos are assessable in the quiz, assessment items and final exam. Some lecture topics will be "flipped", i.e. you will need to come prepared to the lectures by reviewing pre-lecture materials and answering the short quiz which are available in canvas. Lectures are delivered online and the recordings will be posted in canvas under the relevant module.
- Laboratory work is an important part of this course where you can gain manipulative skills that you will require in later stage subjects in your program. Practicals are delivered in face-to-face mode. You will work inividually and in small groups to conduct experiments in the lab. A laboratory manual will be provided to you for early preparation for the practical work as per the program.
- Workshop program is also an integral part of this course where you will develop problem solving skills. Workshop sessions are delivered in face-to-face mode. Workshop manual will be provided for your early preparation as per the program.
- Online submissions are available for you to test your understanding of the topics presented and receive immediate feedback on your progress.
- Canvas will be used to post lecture materials, worked solutions to assignments, workshops etc. and to keep you informed on your progress. Announcements will also be made via this forum.
Content (topics)
- Overview of materials and their applications. Classification of materials.
- Materials chemistry- atoms, electronic structure, periodic table, bonding, concept of a mole, atomic weight, compounds, stoichiometry & balancing chemical equations, oxidation and reduction, acids/bases, pH, titrations, solution making, water and waste water,
- Introduction to mechanical properties of materials. Definitions related to mechanical testing and behaviour, concepts of stress and strain, ductile and brittle behaviour, common testing methods and analyses and presentation of data.
- Ceramics - structures and properties, porcelains, glasses, cements; applications and processing methods.
- Polymers - structures and properties, thermoplastics, thermosets, rubbers, timber, applications and processing methods.
- Composites - introduction to particulate and fibre reinforced materials and their applications, rule of mixtures for predicting composite properties.
- Crystalline and amorphous structures, structure - property relationships, introduction to crystallography
- Nanomaterials
- Solidification - nucleation and grain growth, binary phase equilibrium diagrams - solid solutions, eutectic systems, Fe-C system
- Diffusion and application of heat treatment methods used in steels
- Strengthening ‘mechanisms’ - imperfections in crystals - point, line and surface defects metals and their alloys, steels, brass, aluminium alloys - processing and applications.
- Practical approach on welding and sintering methods. Problems related to joining methods
- Materials and environment - corrosion and degradation of materials
- Standards and sustainability of materials,
- Selection of materials
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Laboratory and Workshops
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Science graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary knowledge 2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking 3. Professional, ethical and social responsibility
This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Engineering graduate attributes: D.1 Technically Proficient E.1 Collaborative and Communicative |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): D.1 and E.1 |
| Type: | Laboratory/practical |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Criteria: | Task 1 consists of evaluation of laboratory skills and online assessment submission. Online submission will be marked against the marking scheme provided with the laboratory and workshop assessment. In addition to providing correct answers and calculations, students will be assessed on:
|
Assessment task 2: Consultancy report writing
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Science graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary knowledge 2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking 3. Professional, ethical and social responsibility 5. Communication
This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Engineering graduate attributes: D.1 Technically Proficient E.1 Collaborative and Communicative |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): D.1 and E.1 |
| Type: | Case study |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 10% |
| Criteria: | Report will be marked against the criteria provided with the workshop manual and the assessment. |
Assessment task 3: Final Exam
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Science graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary knowledge This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Engineering graduate attributes: D.1 Technically Proficient |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): D.1 |
| Type: | Examination |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 50% |
| Length: | 2h |
| Criteria: | Completion of an open book examination which consists of compulsory MCQs and short questions. Questions will be marked against the marking scheme supplied with the exam. More information on the exam will be provided via Canvas/announcements. |
Minimum requirements
The X grade will be applied in relation to the development of practical competency skills. Students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for the assessment task 1: Laboratory and workshops in order to pass this subject. Less than 50% for assessment task 1 will result in an X (fail) grade regardless of the total mark obtained in the subject.
This will be assessed on an ongoing basis during practical classes and via the relevant assessment items against the published criteria as mentioned under the assessment section.
Students are expected to attend all practical sessions and expected to follow all the lectures and workshops.
Recommended texts
1. The text book for the materials science sections will be Callister, Materials Science & Engineering, 1st Australian and New Zealand Edition. John Wiley and Sons.
Print ISBN : 9780730382836 | Digital ISBN : 9780730382843
2. The text book for chemistry sections will be Chemistry: Atoms First 2e , a free book by the courtesy of openstax.org.
Chemistry: Atoms First 2e is a peer-reviewed, openly licensed introductory textbook produced through a collaborative publishing partnership between OpenStax and the University of Connecticut and UConn Undergraduate Student Government Association.
Link is available in canvas under subject resources
Other resources
- Previous editions of Callister
- any other materials engineering textbooks