Materials Science

We are in a materials revolution. The ability to understand and manipulate materials and their properties impacts on all areas of science and technology. Often the solving of materials science issues is the enabling step in a new commercial process, or the means to improved efficiency or cost reduction. Materials science is an important discipline in industry, and a hot research area. It spans aspects of physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics – it is truly interdisciplinary. It is always evolving - new and exciting areas such as nanomaterials, biomaterials, tissue engineering and green, sustainable materials are continually emerging.

What does a Materials Scientist do?

• develops new materials and products, makes old materials work better by processing them better, characterises and understands structure – property relationships,

• tests materials to determine their properties and predict why they behave the way they do, predicts materials lifetime, chooses appropriate materials for particular applications, makes sure materials meet quality specifications

What sort of jobs would Materials Scientists get?

• In the manufacturing industry: in companies involved with metals, plastics, ceramics, rubbers and energy.
• As research scientists at laboratories such as CSIRO and DSTO Defence Laboratories, or in the research and development sectors of companies.
• In industry in roles such as sales and marketing, technical services, manufacturing, quality control, process control, product development, as consultants, in the patenting area, business development managers
• In education as teachers and trainers.

What types of companies in Australia hire our graduates?

BHP Biliton, Comalco, Alcoa, Quenos, Huntsman Chemical, Bluescope Steel, Telstra, Moldflow, DSTO, CSIRO, Mauncell, Basell, DuPont, Dow, Olex Cables, Smith and Nephew, BASF, Kraft, Ford, Toyota, Metlabs, Melbourne Water, EPA, Webforge, INC, Exxon Mobil, FMP Group, schools, patent attorneys

What is the starting salary for a graduate Materials Scientist?

approx. $50,000 - $55,000

The course is presented by the Department of Materials Engineering as part of the science degree.
Studies can commence in first year by enrolling in the unit MSC1010 or at second year in the units MSC2011 and MSC2122. The course comprises a major in the Bachelor of Science. It can also be taken as the science component of a double degree which includes the Bachelor of Science (including Science/Engineering double degrees where Materials Engineering can also be the engineering branch chosen).

First year subjects

A combination with chemistry, mathematics and physics, but usually including
MSC1010 (6CPS) in semester 1 or 2
Materials in Our Environment: involves lectures, tutorials and laboratory work dealing with atomic and molecular structure of materials.

Second year subjects

MSC2011 (6CPS) in semester one
Nanostructure of Materials: In-depth study of material structure at all scales
MSC2111 (6CPS) in semester two
Introduction to Functional Materials: electronic, optical and thermal properties of materials
MSC2122 (6CPS) in semester two
Microstructural Development: deals with the fundamental concept of microstructure of a material

Third year subjects

MSC3111 (6CPS) in semester one
Materials Durability: concerned with the behaviour of materials at the surface, including adhesion, friction, wear and corrosion
MSC3121 (6CPS) in semester one
Microstructural Design of Structural Materials: phase transformations in metals & ceramics underpinning the design of materials
MSC3132 (6CPS) in semester two
Functional Materials and Devices: discusses advanced concepts and examples of magnetic, electrical and optical functionality
MSC3142 (6CPS) in semester two
Materials Characterization and Modeling: a study of techniques used to characterize materials on all microstructural scales and an introduction to microstructural modelling

To complete a major in materials science, students must complete MSC2011, MSC2122 and any four of MSC2111, MSC3111, MSC3121, MSC3132 and MSC3142, as well as some first year physics, chemistry and materials science.
On completion of years one, two and three, students may proceed to the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Materials Science or to further studies in the Bachelor of Engineering component for double degree, Bachelor of Engineering/Bachelor of Science students.

MSC4100/MSC4200 (48 CPS)
The honours year comprises a set of lecture topics and a research project undertaken with the guidance of a personal supervisor.  The lecture topics and project each contributes 50% to the overall honours assessment.

Enquiries

Associate Professor Graham Edward
Department of Materials Engineering, Monash University, Victoria 3800
Tel: +61 3 9905 4928 Fax: + 61 3 9905 4040
Email: graham.edward@eng.monash.edu.au
http://www.eng.monash.edu.au/materials/