Materials Science and Engineering, BEng (Hons)

Material Science and Engineering forms the foundation of numerous engineering, science, and design disciplines, as all products are composed of materials that influence their performance. It examines how microscopic and atomic structures affect material properties and responses to factors like mechanical stress or environmental conditions, making it essential for innovation.A degree in Materials opens diverse career opportunities in sectors such as renewable energy, automotive, and aerospace, where graduates develop solar cells, enhance fuel efficiency with lightweight materials, and conduct failure analysis for jet engines. Supported by over 40 companies including Rolls Royce and Tata Steel through lectures and placements, Swansea University guarantees conditional offers (subject requirements apply). Typical studies include analytical chemistry in year one, computational materials in year two, and advanced metallurgy in year three, with accreditation from the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining ensuring industry recognition.

Areas studied typically include: Year one: Instrumental and Analytical Chemistry, Manufacturing Technology, Mechanical Properties of Materials Year two: Computational Materials, Functional and Smart Materials, Mechanical Deformation in Structural Materials, Microstructure Evolution and Control, Modelling and Simulation of Materials, Order and Disorder in Materials, Polymers, Statistical Techniques in Engineering Year three: Ceramics, Composite Materials, Fracture and Fatigue, Metals - Advanced Manufacturing and Protection, Microstructure and Characterisation, Physical Metallurgy of Steels