BEng- Materials and Metallurgical Engineering

Materials and Metallurgical Engineering

Award: BEng

Duration: 5 years

Materials engineers are essentially involved in the design and selection of materials based on the physical and mechanical properties desired for engineering applications. Appropriate materials are required for specific conditions. Engineering materials broadly include, metals, polymers, ceramics, including mixtures such as metallic alloys and composites.  Sound knowledge of strength of materials and material behaviour when subjected to thermal and mechanical stresses is the hallmark of a materials engineer.

Metallurgical engineers specialise primarily in metals and their alloys. The spectrum of metallurgical engineering stretches from minerals processing, metal extraction and refining through to alloying and forming into shapes for use.  The profession employs physical and scientific principles to concentrate minerals, to extract and refine metals, and to develop alloys of superior mechanical properties.

Why is this Course for me?               

Humankind has revolved around the discovery, development and application of materials. Advances in telecommunication, aerospace, space exploration, bio-medical and other hi-tech disciplines have been possible because of engineers have availed suitable materials with specific properties for use. Through this programme, you can join in to carry forward the work that great engineers that came before you did. As demand for superior materials continues, so will the need to accelerate the development of materials with properties that can be stretched to their very limits. This is indeed a programme that appeals to students who wish to play a key role in a diversity of industries ranging from primary production to hi-tech material processing.

What Will I Study?

The increasing sophistication in modern technology demands graduate engineers ready to apply their creativity to help address societal problems. Students will study varying courses that develop skills and competencies in extraction and processing of minerals and metals to produce materials that shape the technology-driven world.

The modules content

For the first two years of study, students will study basic subjects that include inter alia, mathematics, physics and chemistry, which form the building blocks for an engineering career. Furthermore, they will be introduced to basic process engineering principles, and materials science. Other courses include:

• Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology
• Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering Thermodynamics
• Extractive Metallurgy
• Green Energy Engineering
• Heat and mass transfer
• Mechanical Metallurgy
• Metallurgical Engineering Design
• Process Control and Instrumentation
• Polymer and composite technologies

Career and postgraduate opportunities

The course opens the door for postgraduate studies and a wide range of careers in industry, mines, government, consultancies, business, and R&D centres. Career opportunities for materials and metallurgical engineers are found in mineral and materials processing plants, metal refining, metal forming and alloying industries. Further career opportunities are found in the production of bio-medical materials, manufacture of polymeric materials, ceramics and composites. Careers can be diversified to other associated functions such as energy utilisation, environmental protection, health and safety, disposal of hazardous waste, process control and quality management.