Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Materials Science & Engineering)

Everything we use is made of materials, yet only a handful of these materials occur naturally. All the rest have been microscopically engineered originally by nature, but increasingly by materials engineers/scientists.

Materials science is the foundation for creating high-performance materials such as metals, ceramics, polymers and composites. In this degree, you’ll learn about developing high-performance materials that are lighter, greener and stronger – for use in every aspect of technology. You’ll also develop the theoretical and practical skills to improve materials for aerospace, automotive, biomedical and information technology-based industries. 

This degree builds a foundation in mathematics, chemistry and physics, before moving into the fundamental properties and structures of materials. You’ll investigate aspects of engineering design and the application and selection of materials before concentrating on a research project to sharpen your experimental and analytical skills.

This multidisciplinary degree uses a combination of lectures, practical hands-on laboratory work and research and design projects. It also incorporates components of professional communication, management aspects of business and industrial training. 

• Specialisation options
  Tailor your study to your interests with one of our specialisations:

• Physical Metallurgy: involves the shaping, alloying, heat treatment, joining, corrosion protection and testing of materials

• Functional Materials: explores the use of functional materials, which possess highly specific native properties and functions

• Process Metallurgy: extracting metals from their ores to make refined alloys

• Materials Engineering: making materials lighter, greener and stronger

• Ceramic Engineering: using ceramic raw materials to manufacture products

• Accredited degree
  This degree is accredited by Engineers Australia - the largest professional body for engineers in the country. Through your membership with Engineers Australia, you’ll connect with over 100,000 professionals and enjoy the benefits of being connected to your future profession’s biggest advocate.

• Practical training
  Industrial training gives you the opportunity to put what you learn into practice and develop technical, interpersonal and communication skills. It’s also an opportunity for employers to make early assessments of potential future employees. The connections you gain during your training could give you a competitive edge when applying for jobs after you graduate.

• Double degree options
  A career in materials science is highly specialised. Depending on the nature of the industry you wish to work in, you may need to specialise further in areas such as biochemical engineering, computing, law, business, finance or policy studies through combined programs. This degree can be taken with commerce, engineering science or the Master of Biomedical Engineering.

Study with the best
Materials science at UNSW is ranked 39th in the world.^* The School of Materials Science and Engineering is well equipped with a wide range of advanced computing, thermal analysis, mechanical testing, X-ray and optical and electron microscopy facilities. You’ll be provided with education and industrial training that will prepare you for a significant and impactful professional career.

Our unique course offering
UNSW’s School of Materials Science and Engineering is the only school in Australia that offers professional courses in ceramic engineering, metallurgical engineering and materials engineering. We also provide postgraduate specialisations in these fields.

Leverage our industry partnerships
We have a number of partnerships and collaborations with leading industry names such as Boral, CSIRO, Hitachi Chemical Limited, OneSteel and Weir Minerals. Our strong industry links will provide you with great opportunities to develop valuable relationships with Australian materials engineering enterprises.

Connect with industry-leading research centres
UNSW is home to advanced developments in the field through its highly regarded research centres including the Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology, Materials and Manufacturing Futures Institute and ARC Centre of Excellence for Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies.

^{*QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021}