Course Coordinator:Ayodele Olofinjana (aolofinj@usc.edu.au) School:School of Science, Technology and Engineering
UniSC Sunshine CoastUniSC Moreton Bay |
Blended learning | Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online. |
Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.
The use of smart engineered materials is the bedrock of innovations in engineering structures and devices. In this course, you will learn that microstructure controls properties and processing controls microstructure, and, through processing, the properties of materials can be engineered for different applications. You will apply this knowledge to solve simple problems by conducting tests, interpreting results, and selecting materials based on performance indices to suit design specifications.
Activity | Hours | Beginning Week | Frequency |
Blended learning | |||
Learning materials – 2 X 30 mins narrated audio presentation of concepts | 1hr | Week 1 | 12 times |
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Weekly on campus: Tutorials/workshop on applications of concepts in Materials Engineering | 2hrs | Week 2 | 12 times |
Tutorial/Workshop 2 – Online workshops- course overview in Week 1,Overview in week 6 and week 12 | 2hrs | Week 1 | 3 times |
Laboratory 1 – Students attend laboratory sessions over two weeks for materials testing. | 2hrs | Week 4 | 2 times |
Information session – Zoom meeting: Information session on preparing for the exam | 1hr | Week 13 | Once Only |
General and Functional Classification of Materials
Atomic structure, crystalline structure and microstructure
Mechanical characterisation of materials
Deformation and strengthening
Phase diagrams and microstructures in metallic materials
Metals and alloys processing
Ceramics, glasses, polymers, composites
Construction materials
200 Level (Developing)
12 units
Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... | Graduate Qualities Mapping Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... | Professional Standard Mapping * Engineers Australia Stage 1 Professional Engineer Competency Standards | |
1 | Demonstrate and apply theoretical knowledge of materials (metals, ceramics & polymers): atomic and crystalline structures to predict their mechanical properties, equilibrium phase diagrams to determine the processing sequence to manipulate their microstructure, failure and degradation process | Knowledgeable |
1.1, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2 |
2 | Solve simple materials problems by: conducting stress and strain tests and calculating the main mechanical indices from the data, interpreting and analysing test results to derive performance indices, selecting materials based on mechanical properties and performance indices (e.g. mechanical, physical, cost, sustainability) to suit design specifications, evaluate the effect of the environment on materials performance |
Knowledgeable Engaged Sustainability-focussed |
1.1, 2.1, 2.2 |
3 | Communicate in writing to specialist audiences | Empowered |
1.1, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2 |
CODE | COMPETENCY |
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Professional Engineer Competency Standards | |
1.1 | Knowledge and Skill Base: Comprehensive, theory based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the engineering discipline. |
1.3 | Knowledge and Skill Base: In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline. |
2.1 | Engineering Application Ability: Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving. |
2.2 | Engineering Application Ability: Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources. |
2.3 | Engineering Application Ability: Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes. |
3.1 | Professional and Personal Attributes: Ethical conduct and professional accountability. |
3.2 | Professional and Personal Attributes: Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains. |
Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.
MTH102 or MTH103
Not applicable
ENG225 or MEC1201
Graphing, solving equations, basic calculus
Standard Grading (GRD)
High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL). |
A formative assessment is given in week 2 and feedback provided as submitted in tutorial groups or as an individual during tutorials. Tutorial exercises every week from week 2 to 10.
Delivery mode | Task No. | Assessment Product | Individual or Group | Weighting % | What is the duration / length? | When should I submit? | Where should I submit it? |
All | 1 | Written Piece | Individual | 0% | 2 weeks to respond |
Week 4 | To be Negotiated |
All | 2 | Quiz/zes | Group | 0% | 10 exercises -200 words equivalent |
Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) | To Supervisor |
All | 3 | Examination - not Centrally Scheduled | Individual | 30% | 2 hours |
Week 7 | In Class |
All | 4 | Report | Individual | 20% | 1500 words (equivalent) |
Week 9 | Online Submission |
All | 5 | Examination - Centrally Scheduled | Individual | 50% | 4 hours online |
Exam Period | Exam Venue |
All - Assessment Task 1:Open book take home test | |
Goal: | The purpose of this formative task is to ensure you understand the theoretical knowledge of atomic and crystalline structures to solve problems and explain the origin of the properties of engineering materials. This knowledge is critical for your success in this course, and therefore you will be given feedback to support your learning with this content. This exercise will prepare you for the mid-term exam. |
Product: | Written Piece |
Format: | A number of multiple choices and short answer questions will be set to cover learning materials from the first three weeks. Questions include diagrams and tables. You respond using a given template. Solutions will be provided online Friday week 5. |
Criteria: |
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All - Assessment Task 2:Tutorial exercises | |
Goal: | It is critical for Engineers to develop their application skills for specific problem sets. These exercises will test your knowledge of materials (metals, ceramics & polymers) to solve simple real-life problems and communicate these solutions. These practice questions will assist you for the mid-term, lab report and final exam. |
Product: | Quiz/zes |
Format: | In groups, you work on the exercises to develop solutions by discussing with each other and with guidance from the tutor. You submit the group solutions to the tutor on the day. The tutor will give feedback. Submit at end of each tutorial - weekly, except weeks 1 and 13. |
Criteria: |
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All - Assessment Task 3:Mid-semester exam | |
Goal: | You will demonstrate and apply theoretical knowledge of the fundamental properties of engineering materials from an atomistic view. You will provide explanations to how materials can be classified into families and solve problems relating to the behaviours of materials in service. |
Product: | Examination - not Centrally Scheduled |
Format: | Multiple-choice and short answer questions will be set to cover learning materials from the first six weeks. Questions include diagrams and tables. You respond using a given template. It will be held during the scheduled tutorial times in week 7. |
Criteria: |
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All - Assessment Task 4:Laboratory Report | |
Goal: | Testing and working with materials is a core part of the work of engineers. For this report, you will work in a team to solve simple material problems by conducting tests, interpreting and analysing the data to determine materials' mechanical properties, and reporting results. |
Product: | Report |
Format: | In groups, you conduct a series of mechanical tests in the laboratory and collect the raw data posted on Canvas for every group. You prepare an individual report by responding to questions on a template. This involves processing the raw data and then graphing the processed data. You then interpret and analyse the results to derive materials performance indices and compare mechanical properties. You write one report about the testing conducted in two laboratory sessions. |
Criteria: |
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All - Assessment Task 5:Final Exam | |
Goal: | You will demonstrate and apply theoretical knowledge of the properties of engineering materials. You will demonstrate how to solve problems relating to making an informed and reasoned choice for making material selection decisions in engineering practice. |
Product: | Examination - Centrally Scheduled |
Format: | The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering all learning materials during the semester; and short answer questions, including diagrams and tables. |
Criteria: |
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A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.
Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.
Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below. Resources may be required or recommended.
Required? | Author | Year | Title | Edition | Publisher |
Recommended | William D. Callister,David G. Rethwisch | 2021 | Materials Science and Engineering | 1st Australian & New Zealand Edition | Wiley |
Recommended | Donald R. Askeland,Wendelin J. Wright | 2020 | The Science and Engineering of Materials, Enhanced, Si Edition | SI Edition | Cengage |
You must wear protective covered shoes and safety glasses in the laboratory. The glasses are provided.
Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.
Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.
In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.
Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent on the following conditions applying: The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct
Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: - 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.
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The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.
For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.
If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.
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To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.
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