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Advanced Alloys and Polymers (MCEN90020)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 2
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Most industrial and day-to-day use objects are made of different kinds of materials. Alloys and polymers are two of the most common materials, and they will be discussed in this subject. As such, the subject is divided into two units.

In the first unit, the focus is on the understanding of microstructures and mechanical properties of selected engineering alloys. Where applicable, case studies from industrial applications and state of the art research will be incorporated to enhance learning. The mode of delivery in this unit will be a combination of conventional lectures and a deeper learning achieved at a higher level by studying cutting-edge research on advanced alloys. Understanding is gained by reading, digesting, and analysing an individually allocated research paper, leading to a professionally produced report. In addition to knowledge, they learn how research is conducted and reported.

In the second unit, the focus will be on the understanding of the underlying microstructures and macroscopic properties of polymers of relevance for their manufacturing as well as measuring techniques, followed by discussions on conventional and advanced manufacturing processes of plastics, rubbers, and polymer matrix composites. The teaching will be student-focused (active learning) and equity-based and the mode of delivery will be a combination of flipped classroom and conventional lectures. The high level of learning will be achieved through a group project, where students will be required to choose an engineered product of relevance to aerospace, space, defence, or medical industries, do research on the current manufacturing processes involved in fabricating the selected product, and discuss its pros and cons, write a professional report and present to the classroom and a mock up stakeholder team composed of teaching team and students. The assessment intends to mimic a set up within a manufacturing company, where a report to stakeholder needs to be delivered. This will, therefore, provide students with a medium to enhance their verbal & written communications and potentially other soft skills such as negotiating with a client or engaging with a stakeholder as well as engineering knowledge.

Intended learning outcomes

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs)

Having completed this subject the student is expected to be able to -

  • Gain knowledge and practice in advanced alloys and polymeric materials.
  • Apply advanced engineering materials through applications and case studies;
  • Acquire knowledge of emerging alloys as well as their potential applications.
  • Learn and compare conventional and modern manufacturing processes and associated machinery of relevance to polymer-based engineering products
  • Analyse potential root causes and create troubleshooting strategies for defects in manufactured products.
  • Evaluating the effects of material and process variables.
  • Critically appraise research/scientific publications.
  • Articulate acquired knowledge and proposed solution to stakeholders both verbally and in written form.

Generic skills

5.  Ability to communicate effectively with the engineering team and with the community at large.

Last updated: 31 January 2024

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
MCEN90014 Materials
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

MCEN40015 Advanced Engineering Materials

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 31 January 2024

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Project report for Unit 1

  • 10 pages
Week 1040%

In class test for Unit 1

  • 1 hours
Week 1110%

In class presentation/discussion with a mock up stakeholder team for Unit 2

  • 1 hours
Week 1220%

Project Report for Unit 2

  • 7 pages
Week 1130%

Additional details

ILOs 1-3 will be assessed by two project reports (50% each) including possible oral presentations and/or oral exams on the reports.

Last updated: 31 January 2024

Dates & times

  • Semester 2
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours
    Total time commitment200 hours
    Teaching period22 July 2024 to 20 October 2024
    Last self-enrol date 2 August 2024
    Census date 2 September 2024
    Last date to withdraw without fail20 September 2024
    Assessment period ends15 November 2024

    Semester 2 contact information

    k.xia@unimelb.edu.au

Time commitment details

200 hours

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
    - Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Last updated: 31 January 2024

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    Recommended texts and other resources

    A diverse range of reference books will be recommended at the beginning of the semester.

  • Subject notes

    LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS

    The subject is delivered through a combination of lectures and projects. For e-learning, the lectures are recorded and made available to students through the University's online learning system.

    INDICATIVE CONTENT

    The selected advanced materials may include light alloys, ferrous alloys, superalloys, intermetallic alloys, ultrafine and nano structured alloys, amorphous alloys, metal matrix composites, structural and functional ceramics, and structural and functional polymers.

  • Related Handbook entries

    This subject contributes to the following:

    TypeName
    CourseDoctor of Philosophy - Engineering
    CoursePh.D.- Engineering
    CourseMaster of Philosophy - Engineering
    Specialisation (formal)Mechanical
    Specialisation (formal)Mechatronics
  • Available through the Community Access Program

    About the Community Access Program (CAP)

    This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.

    Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.

    Additional information for this subject

    Subject coordinator approval required

  • Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students

    This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.

Last updated: 31 January 2024