Materials Science

Modern society is heavily dependent on advanced materials such as lightweight composites for transport applications, optical fibres for telecommunications and silicon microchips for the information revolution. Materials scientists study the relationships between the structure and properties of a material and how it is made. They also develop new materials to meet engineering specifications, and devise processes for manufacturing them. Current work in materials science is key to the practical application of nuclear fusion for power generation. There are links with medical sciences, for example through the development of bone replacement materials, novel sensors and drug delivery systems. Materials science is an interdisciplinary subject, spanning the physics and chemistry of matter, engineering applications, and industrial manufacturing processes. It is at the core of nanotechnology, the production of machines and devices at molecular levels, which is likely to drive the next technological revolution. Such devices include those to enable quantum information processing; the key technology for a new generation of computers.

The course spans the subject from its foundations in physics and chemistry to the mechanical, electrical, magnetic and optical properties of materials, and the design, manufacture and applications of metals, alloys, ceramics, polymers, composites and biomaterials. The department has excellent laboratory and teaching facilities, including a computer room for students and a well-stocked library. Students attend a course on entrepreneurship taught partly by the Saïd Business School, during which they learn about intellectual property and how to write a business plan, raise capital and start a company. Students can gain industrial experience through a voluntary summer placement, they learn teamwork through team design projects, and develop IT and presentation skills. There is an option to study a foreign language in the Language Centre or take a supplementary subject in another subject area.

The Oxford degree has the unique feature of an eight-month research project in the fourth year when students join the research teams of one of the strongest Departments of Materials in the UK, or sometimes work in a prestigious overseas university or an industrial laboratory. A wide range of assessment methods is employed in the award of the degree: 50% of the degree classification is determined by written examination papers; the remainder is allocated to practical work, assessed course-work and a thesis based on the fourth year research project. The degree is accredited at CEng level by the Engineering Council.

In the course of the first year, it is, in principle, possible to change to another degree course, subject to the availability of space on the course and to the consent of the college. In particular, at the end of the first year, typically two or three students each year transfer to our Materials, Economics and Management (MEM) degree programme. Transfer to MEM is not normally possible for students at Corpus Christi College.

Students are encouraged to undertake a voluntary summer placement in industry or a research laboratory. Recent locations for summer placements have included: Beijing, Tokyo, Boston, Santa Barbara, Bochum and several regions of the UK.

A voluntary industrial tour to an overseas destination is organised in most Easter holidays. Recent destinations have included: San Francisco, Amsterdam, Milan, Tokyo, Toulouse, Beijing and Munich.

Many of our graduates apply their technical knowledge in the manufacturing industry, both in management and in research and development positions. Others enter the financial, consultancy and IT sectors. Some train as teachers. A significant proportion of graduates undertake research degrees in universities in the UK and abroad, and some of these then pursue a career in the university sector.

Recent Materials Science graduates include an assistant professor in Chemical Engineering and a downstream materials and corrosion engineer.

Katherine, who graduated in 2008, says: ‘After leaving University I started work for Rolls-Royce (on aeroplanes, boats and power stations) as a graduate engineer, moving engineering roles within the company and around the globe every three months.’

Students interested in this course might also like to consider Engineering courses; Materials, Economics and Management (MEM); or Physics.