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PROGRAMME OBJECTIVE
The goal of the Bachelor of Engineering
Programme in Materials at University of
Malaya is to produce graduates highly
trained in the basics of the science of
materials and prepared to meet the
challenges of advanced academic life and
industrial employment in materials
engineering. This objective is achieved by
imparting cutting-edge knowledge and
skills to the students through courses and
laboratory work, individual and team
projects, and research and industrial
experience supervised by expert faculty.
At the start of their programme, the
students share a part of their curriculum
with other engineering students at the
university
and
are
progressively
introduced
to
more
sophisticated
materials engineering curriculum in the
later parts of their training.
JOB PROSPECTS FOR MATERIALS
ENGINEERS
Technological innovation is one of the
driving forces of economic development
and innovation in materials is a significant
part of how technology evolves. As a
consequence, in their professional lives
materials engineers are in a unique
position
to
make
a
substantial
contribution to their country’s economic
and technical development. As experts in
materials, they may be hired as ceramists,
polymer scientists, corrosion engineers,
metallurgists,
adhesion
specialists,
process and quality control experts, and a
range of other occupations where their
specialization is in demand. Since
materials research is imperative in so
many technical fields, there is a wide
spectrum of industries that hires
materials
engineers:
aerospace,
automotive, electronic, bioengineering,
solar energy, communication, to name
just a few.
FIRST YEAR
Topics fundamental to all engineering courses such as applied mechanics,
general engineering practice, and engineering drawing are covered in the
programme’s first year. These are complemented by introductory materials
engineering courses in crystal structure and thermodynamics of materials. A
full range of preparatory materials engineering laboratory work forms part of
the accompanying course in materials engineering lab I that includes
exercises on thermodynamics of materials, materials phase transitions, x-ray
diffraction and crystallography, microscopy and non-ferrous metallurgy
SECOND YEAR
During the second year of the program, the students’ education in general
engineering continues with courses in computer programming,
transportation phenomena, applied engineering mathematics, and solid
mechanics. Core subjects in materials engineering at this stage include
courses on polymer science, ceramics, and phase transformations. Materials
engineering lab II and lab III take the students’ practical training beyond the
freshman level.
THIRD YEAR
The third year is entirely devoted to core subjects in materials: ferrous alloys
and heat treatment, electronic materials and devices, nonferrous alloys and
materials selection, mechanical behavior and materials failures, polymer
engineering, and composite materials. This year also marks the beginning of
the industrial and research phases of the students’ educational career
through courses on integrated project design and industrial training. The
integrated project design course seeks to give the students an experience in
planning and implementing a research project as part of a team of three or
four students. The industrial training course gives the students an
opportunity to build links to industry and gain an industrial perspective to
their academic studies that can prove valuable their professional careers.
FINAL YEAR
Together with some advanced level subjects such as ceramic processing,
corrosion engineering, and computational materials engineering, the
emphasis in the final year is on presenting the students with choices in
course and research work. They are required to choose two elective courses
from a list of courses that can include rubber technology, advanced
materials, welding technology, casting technology, materials tribology,
aerospace materials, engineering and project management, superplasticity,
continuum mechanics, materials processes in semiconductor manufacturing
and materials characterization techniques.
The final year research projects I and II give the students an opportunity to
make choices from a list of research projects proposed by materials faculty.
Under the guidance of the faculty member associated with the chosen
research project, the students learn how to design their projects, manage
their schedules, perform their literature survey, overcome obstacles in
experimental work, and write up their research reports.