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Course Outline

MEC301 Materials Technology

Course Coordinator:Ayodele Olofinjana (aolofinj@usc.edu.au) School:School of Science, Technology and Engineering

2026Semester 1

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC 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 unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

In this course, you will learn about the processes involved in engineering the functional properties of materials to fit different applications. Engineers make devices that require the selection of materials fit for specific purposes.  These materials are processed by shaping, joining and surface treating; all of which affects the material’s microstructure and final properties. An important role for the engineer is to make meaningful connections between processed materials and its properties and performance in applications.  This course is supported by labs and workshops that allow you to apply this knowledge to select materials and asses the required processing

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – 2 X 30 min narrated audio presentation of concepts 1hr Week 1 13 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Tutorial/workshop First 2 weeks on workshop working in small groups (1) in Materials selection software 3weeks, subsequent weeks are for a workshop on concepts in materials processing. 2hrs Week 2 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 2 – Online Course overview in Week 1, online overview in week 8 and week 13 2hrs Week 1 3 times
Laboratory 1 – Labs run over 2 weeks where students rotate between microhardness and impact tests in weeks 5, and 6. 2hrs Week 5 2 times

Course Topics

  • Choosing from families of engineering materials
  • Thermal processing of Materials
    • Diffusional processes
    • Phase diagrams
    • Heat treatments
  • Engineering alloys
    • Steels
    • Non Ferrous alloys
  • Degradation and failure of materials
    • Fracture
    • Fatigue
    • Corrosion
    • Wear

Materials selection process

What level is this course?

300 Level (Graduate)

Demonstrating coherence and breadth or depth of knowledge and skills. Independent application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts. Meeting professional requirements and AQF descriptors for the degree. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory or developing knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally undertaken in the third or fourth full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

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 Describe, explain and select appropriate materials for various engineering applications Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker 
1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1
2 Demonstrate and apply theoretical knowledge of material processing: fundamental atomistic transport phenomena, Phase diagrams, Non equilibrium processing, Heat treatment, Welding structures Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker 
1.1, 1.2, 2.3
3 Demonstrate and apply the knowledge of mechanism of materials failure and degradation Empowered 
1.1, 1.4, 2.2
4 Interpret experimental and test results Empowered 
1.4, 2.1, 2.2, 3.2
5 Work together in a team to solve engineering problem Engaged 
2.2, 3.2, 3.5, 3.6

* Competencies by Professional Body

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.
1.2 Knowledge and Skill Base: Conceptual understanding of the mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, and computer and information sciences which underpin the engineering discipline.
1.4 Knowledge and Skill Base: Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline.
1.5 Knowledge and Skill Base: Knowledge of engineering design practice and contextual factors impacting 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.
3.2 Professional and Personal Attributes: Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains.
3.5 Professional and Personal Attributes: Orderly management of self, and professional conduct.
3.6 Professional and Personal Attributes: Effective team membership and team leadership.

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

(MTH102 or MTH103) and (ENG225 or MEC225) and enrolled in Program SC411

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

ENG301 or MEC3203

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Data handling using spreadsheet, graphing and basic calculus

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Weekly tutorials from Week 2	and a formative assessment in week  3.

Assessment tasks

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% 
500 words
 Week 3 Online Submission
All 2 Written Piece Group 0% 
8 sets of exercises - 200 word equivalent each
 Refer to Format In Class
All 3 Report Individual and Group 30% 
2,000-word equivalent
 Week 8 Online Submission
All 4 Examination - not Centrally Scheduled Individual 20% 
3 hours to allow for file upload and access to published materials.
 Week 9 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check and in class
All 5 Examination - Centrally Scheduled Individual 50% 
4 hours, allowing for file upload and access to online engineering databases.
 Exam Period Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check and in class
All - Assessment Task 1:Engineering alloys test
Goal: 
The purpose of this formative assessment is to reinforce your previous learning on the types and classification of engineering materials. This knowledge is critical for your understanding of terminologies used in materials processing. This exercise will provide a foundation for understanding the heat treatment of engineering alloys.
Product: Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
A number of short answers questions would require research and revisiting previous knowledge. You will need the "Granta CES edupack" software (provided) to address some of the questions.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
A general understanding of the classes of engineering materials
 1 5
2 
Use software to choose material group for a specific application
 5
3 
Understand the generic properties of functional materials
 1 2
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Collaboration, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2:Tutorial Exercises
Goal: 
It is critical for practising engineers to understand the fundamental microstructural changes that accompany the processing of materials and to be able to link these to the functional properties. These exercises are designed to reinforce the concepts of structure-property relationships. These practice questions will assist you in preparing for the midterm exam, lab reports and final year exam.
Product: Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
IIn groups, you will engage with a set of exercises to develop solutions by discussing with each other and using online resources of the ASM Materials handbook and Granta CES Edupack software. You submit the solution to the tutor on the day and the tutor will provide feedback.
Submit End of each tutorial weekly except weeks 1, 2, 4, 5 & 13
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Formative feedback given
 1 2 3 5
Generic Skills: 
Problem solving, Organisation, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 3:Lab reports
Goal: 
Understanding the connection between the processing, the structure, and the functional properties of materials is essential to effectively select the right materials to meet the design objectives of any device. You will perform experiments to determine phase relationships in a binary system and you will also evaluate the mechanical properties of thermally processed materials. These experiments are aimed at relating microstructure, properties and processing.
Product: Report
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
You will perform tests on microhardness and brittle failure in heat-treated samples. The raw data from the tests will be used to prepare individual reports (20%) by responding to questions on a template.  

A group report (10%) on the Materials selection exercise from CES Edupack will be submitted separately.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
fundamental atomistic transport phenomena,
Phase diagrams,
Non equilibrium processing,
Heat treatment
 2 4 5
2 
Demonstrate and apply the knowledge of mechanism of materials failure 
i) Interpret impact test results
ii) Discuss the principle of ductile to brittle transition in materials
 3 4 5
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Applying technologies
All - Assessment Task 4:Mid semester exam
Goal: 
This midterm exam will allow you to demonstrate your understanding of the theory and application of thermal processing and how these affect the functional properties of materials used in special applications.
Product: Examination - not Centrally Scheduled
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
This will be an online exam that will consist of short answers, write-in and application-type as file upload response. This exam will cover learning materials for the first 7 weeks. Questions will include diagrams and tabular set of materials properties.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Demonstrate and apply theoretical knowledge of the fundamentals of material processing:
Fundamental atomistic transport phenomena, Phase diagrams, Non- equilibrium processing, Heat treatment, Welding structures
 1 2
2 
Demonstrate and apply the knowledge of mechanism of materials failure and degradation
 3 4
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Problem solving, Applying technologies, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 5:Final exam
Goal: 
This final exam will cover the entire course. It will allow you to demonstrate your understanding of the theory and application of materials processing and how these affect the functional properties of materials used in special applications.
Product: Examination - Centrally Scheduled
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
The exam consists of two sections: 
(1) Short answer questions that cover all descriptive, data test, and awareness level technical explanations of concepts in materials processing.  

(2) File upload questions addressing engineering principles and applications in engineering alloy systems and phase diagrams; Thermal processing; and Failure and degradation of materials.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Demonstrate and apply theoretical knowledge of the fundamentals of material processing:
Fundamental atomistic transport phenomena, Phase diagrams, Non- equilibrium processing, Heat treatment, Welding structures
 1 2 3
2 
Demonstrate and apply the knowledge of mechanism of materials failure and degradation
 3 4
Generic Skills: 
Problem solving, Applying technologies, Information literacy

Directed study hours

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.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

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.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

You need regular access to the resource(s) below. Many texts are available as ebooks through the Library at no additional cost.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Required A. S. M. International 0 ASM Handbook Set - Available online at USC library n/a n/a
Required William D. Callister,David G. Rethwisch 2013 Materials Science and Engineering 9th ed. Wiley

Specific requirements

You must wear protective covered shoes and safety glasses in the laboratory. The glasses are provided.

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

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.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of 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

Assessment: Submission penalties

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.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au
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