Materials Engineering Profile

"High technology manufacturing enterprises are on the increase in Singapore and often the role of materials in these industries is crucial to their success. As a result there is a growing demand for competent Materials Engineers who have a sound understanding of the synthesis and processing, structure, properties, and performance of materials, and their inter-relationships."

Materials Engineering Profile

This is a three-year course leading to the award of the degree of Bachelor of Applied Science (Materials Engineering) [B.A.Sc.(Matl.Eng.)]. A fourth year is required for the Honours Degree. The intake in 1999/2000, will graduated with a B.Eng. (Matl.Eng.), with direct honours.

The first three years mainly concentrate on basic knowledge and topics. In the Honours Year, students may select specialised subjects of interest to them. Materials Engineering comprises the study of the science of the structure, properties, behaviour, and processing of materials, and their applications in engineering and industry.

Students are brought into the fascinating microworld of material structure, and discover that even features on the atomic scale can affect the performance of materials. They will also learn the processes of manipulation of materials for desired properties and product shapes which constitute the basis for the creation of products by manufacturing.

Today, many exciting technological advances and many new products are not possible without corresponding advances in the development and processing of materials. Materials Engineers are required by the manufacturing and engineering industries, as well as testing, certification, and research establishments, to perform many specialised tasks such as: Test material properties and inspect materials for faults and defects or purity level; Identify causes of material failures and recommend how such failures may be avoided; Combat corrosion and other material degradation processes; Predict life-times of engineering components in service under severe conditions; Collaborate with other engineers in the design of products or manufacturing processes; Recommend correct materials for use and the correct use of materials; Apply advanced scientific equipment and instruments in the examination of materials; Deal with problems related to materials in the production process and help maintain quality; Provide expertise in direct material processing operations like metal casting, welding, forging, heat treatment, ceramics and polymer processing; and Develop new materials, or new processes, or new examination and testing techniques, and improve and enhance existing ones.

The Materials Engineering Course is designed to be practice and application oriented. Students will do a good number of experiments, a design project, and two investigative projects. There is also an In-House Practical Training programme of 8 weeks where students get a chance to be trained in the use and application of various Materials Engineering equipment and instruments in exercises involving the testing, examination, inspection, treatment, and processing of materials. There are well equipped laboratories for performing experiments and conducting investigative projects.