Overview
Engineering Materials introduces the relationships among atomic structure, processing, microstructure, properties, performance, and engineering design. Topics include atomic bonding, crystal structures, crystallography, defects, diffusion, phase diagrams, phase transformations, and the development of microstructure in engineering materials.
The course examines mechanical behaviour, including stress and strain, elastic and plastic deformation, hardness, toughness, fatigue, creep, fracture, and mechanical testing. Material families include metals and alloys, ceramics and glasses, polymers, composites, semiconductors, biomaterials, and emerging materials. Students investigate casting, forming, machining, additive manufacturing, joining, heat treatment, and surface treatment, with attention to processing effects, corrosion, degradation, material selection, manufacturing constraints, safety, lifecycle assessment, recycling, embodied energy, and sustainability. Practical work develops competence in interpreting material-property data, phase diagrams, test results, and failure mechanisms, and in justifying material and process decisions through professional engineering reporting.
Learning Outcomes
- Interpret phase diagrams, material-property data, and mechanical test results using appropriate engineering conventions.
- Relate atomic bonding, crystal structure, defects, diffusion, and microstructure to the macroscopic behaviour of engineering materials.
- Evaluate elastic and plastic deformation, hardness, toughness, fatigue, creep, fracture, corrosion, and degradation mechanisms.
- Compare metals, alloys, ceramics, glasses, polymers, composites, semiconductors, biomaterials, and emerging materials for specified engineering applications.
- Analyse the effects of casting, forming, machining, additive manufacturing, joining, heat treatment, and surface treatment on material performance.
- Select materials and manufacturing processes to satisfy stated mechanical, environmental, safety, lifecycle, and cost requirements.
- Synthesize material-selection trade-offs involving performance, manufacturability, embodied energy, recycling, and sustainability.
- Justify material and process decisions in a professional engineering report supported by quantitative evidence and appropriate technical sources.
Timetable
| Type | Length | Frequency | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 2 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Lab | 3 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Tutorial | 1 hour | Weekly | All semester |
| Workshop | 2 hours | Fortnightly | Second term |
Assessment Schedule
| Type | Description | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Quiz | Weekly quizzes (10 × 1%) | 10.00% |
| Assignment | Materials data interpretation assignment | 15.00% |
| Test | Mid-semester test | 20.00% |
| Deliverable | Laboratory reports (4 × 5%) | 20.00% |
| Capstone | Material and process selection report | 25.00% |
| Exam | Final examination | 10.00% |
Prerequisites
- Requirement 12 NCEA Level 2 Mathematics credits, externally assessed
- Requirement 8 NCEA Level 2 Physics credits, externally assessed
Teaching Staff & Programs
This course is delivered jointly by faculty from the participating programs listed below. In line with the Douchewater Way, the University of Sexology tailors core instruction directly to each cohort's specific discipline — adapting curriculum to program needs rather than forcing students into a one-size-fits-all model. Learn more about our approach at The Douchewater Way.
