Engineering Materials
Overview
This unit of study aims to introduce you to the basics of engineering materials, including their microstructure, properties, structure, failure modes and sustainable use.
Requisites
02-November-2025
31-May-2026
01-November-2026
Unit learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Describe the difference in atomic/molecular structure between the major classes of materials that result in different material properties (K1)
- Analyse the material response to mechanical and physical stimuli (K1, S1)
- Determine mechanical properties of all major classes of materials on the basis of experiment (K1, S1)
- Determine physical properties of materials (K1, S1)
- Describe the suitability of different methods of strengthening of materials and their potential for material degradation (K1, S1, A2)
- Select materials using appropriate methods that consider microstructure, manufacture, performance and sustainability (K1, S1)
- Safely execute experiments, formulate conclusions and generate laboratory reports (K6, S1, A2)
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-campus Lecture |
1.50 | 12 weeks | 18 |
| Online Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning |
1.00 | 3 weeks | 3 |
| Unspecified Activities Independent Learning |
7.50 | 12 weeks | 90 |
| Online Lecture |
1.50 | 12 weeks | 18 |
| On-campus Class |
1.00 | 11 weeks | 11 |
| On-campus Practical |
2.00 | 5 weeks | 10 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULOs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | Individual | 40 - 60% | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |
| Laboratory Report | Individual | 15 - 25% | 2,3,4,7 |
| Online Quiz | Individual | 15 - 25% | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |
| Presentation | Group | 5 - 15% | 2,3,5,6 |
Hurdle
Students must complete the laboratory Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) activity before commencing the laboratory/experimental work. As the minimum requirements of assessment to pass a unit and meet all Unit Learning Outcomes to a minimum standard, a student must achieve:
(i) an aggregate mark of 50% or more, and
(ii) at least 40% in the final exam.
Students who do not successfully achieve hurdle requirement (ii) will receive a maximum of 45% as the total mark for the unit.
Content
- Materials for engineering
- Atomic bonding and structure
- Crystal structure, unit cells, planes and direction, x-ray diffraction, density
- Amorphous structures, composition
- Crystal defects, imperfections, dislocation theory
- Recovery, recrystallization, grain growth
- Electrical & magnetic properties of metals
- Mechanical behavior of metals, polymers, ceramics
- Failure of materials; fatigue, ductile, brittle, impact, tensile, creep, corrosion
- Properties of polymers
- Electrical & magnetic properties of polymers
- Properties of concrete, composites, ceramics
- Electrical & magnetic properties of ceramics
- Materials selection strategies
- Sustainability of materials
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.