Materials Science (2024)

Materials Science focuses on understanding the intrinsic structure of a material and the control of its structure through processing. It studies the relationship of the engineering properties of the three main classes of materials (metals, polymers and ceramics) as well as composites and semiconductors.

Materials Science is available as a first major for the Bachelor of Science (BSc) and Bachelor of Science (Technology) (BSc(Tech)). Materials Science may also be included as a second major or minor in other undergraduate degrees, subject to approval of the Division in which the student is enrolled.

To complete Materials Science as a single major for the BSc and the BSc(Tech), students must gain 135 points from papers listed for Materials Science, including CHEMY101, ENGEN112, CHEMY204, ENGME280, ENGMP211, 15 points from either CHEMY201 or CHEMY203, ENGMP311, ENGMP312 and 15 points from either CHEMY301, CHEMY303 or CHEMY304.

To complete Materials Science as part of a double major for the BSc, BSc(Tech) or other undergraduate degree, students must gain 120 points from the papers listed for Materials Science, including CHEMY101, ENGEN112, CHEMY204, ENGME280, ENGMP211, 15 points from either CHEMY201 or CHEMY203 and 30 points from ENGMP311, ENGMP312, CHEMY301, CHEMY303 or CHEMY304.

To complete a minor in Materials Science, students must complete 60 points, consisting of ENGEN112, ENGEN180, ENGMP211 and ENGMP311.


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  • Prescriptions for the GradCert(MatSc) and GradDip(MatSc)

    A Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma are available to graduates who have not included Materials Science at an advanced level in their first degree.

    For further details, contact the Division of Health, Engineering, Computing and Science.

  • 100 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    CHEMY101Structure and Spectroscopy - Tūramaramatia i ngā Hanganga15.024A (Hamilton) & 24C (Hamilton)
    A theoretical and practical course covering aspects of analytical and inorganic chemistry. This course is required for the chemistry major. He pepa tirotiro i nga tuahua o te wetewete i te matauranga matuwaro me tona kore paraumu, he pepa matua o roto o te tohu matuora.
    ENGEN112Materials Science and Engineering15.024A (Hamilton) & 24A (Tauranga)
    Introduction to engineering materials (metals, ceramics, polymers, composites, semiconductors and biomaterials) and their atomic structure and mechanical properties. Includes; elastic and plastic deformation, fracture mechanisms, failure in service, iron-carbon phase diagram, redox reactions in corrosion, production of polymers, ce...
    ENGEN180Foundations of Engineering15.024B (Hamilton) & 24B (Tauranga)
    Introduction to the engineering design process and computer aided design, fundamental principles of engineering analysis, open ended problem solving, engineering economics and the skills of a successful engineer. Includes a design-build-test experience.
  • 200 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    CHEMY201Organic Chemistry15.024B (Hamilton)
    This paper covers aspects of organic chemistry including reaction mechanisms with carbanion and radical intermediates; mechanisms of reactions of carbonyl groups and multiple electrophilic substitutions of aromatic rings, also an introduction to carbohydrate chemistry is provided.
    CHEMY203Inorganic Chemistry15.024A (Hamilton)
    This paper covers aspects of inorganic chemistry including structure and reactivity of the main-group elements; point-group symmetry; molecular orbital, crystal field theories; transition metal coordination complexes.
    CHEMY204Analytical Chemistry15.024A (Hamilton)
    This paper covers aspects of analytical chemistry including characterisation using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
    ENGME280Design and Manufacturing 115.024B (Hamilton)
    The paper focuses on the principles of fundamental manufacturing processes and engineering design methods. Practical aspects of selected major manufacturing processes via workshop and practical sessions give students the opportunities to build up their practical skills and apply their theoretical knowledge to solving practical prob...
    ENGMP211Materials 115.024A (Hamilton)
    This paper will provide a foundation for understanding the relationship between material structure, processing and behaviour to support engineering of materials and engineering with materials.
  • 300 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    CHEMY301Advanced Organic Chemistry15.024A (Hamilton)
    This paper covers advanced aspects of organic chemistry including pericyclic reactions, natural product chemistry, medicinal chemistry and organic synthesis including retrosynthetic analysis.
    CHEMY303Advanced Inorganic Chemistry15.024B (Hamilton)
    This paper covers advanced aspects of inorganic chemistry including heavy transition elements; f-elements; organometallic chemistry of main group and transition metals; bioinorganic chemistry; solid state chemistry.
    CHEMY304Advanced Analytical Chemistry15.024B (Hamilton)
    This paper covers advanced aspects of analytical chemistry including mass spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), Mossbauer and Raman spectroscopy, quality control and assurance, sampling techniques and method validation.
    ENGMP311Materials 215.024B (Hamilton)
    It will develop understanding of the relationship between material structure, processing and behaviour to support engineering of materials and engineering with materials.
    ENGMP312Materials Manufacture15.024A (Hamilton)
    This paper deepens the understanding of students on the relationships between processing conditions, microstructure and properties of materials manufactured via major materials processing technologies including solidification methods, ceramic processing, metallic powder consolidation, and fabrication of composite materials. The pap...

2024 Catalogue of Papers information current as of : 22 March 2024 8:11pm

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