ENS1001DA | 2025 | University of Exeter

MODULE TITLE	Fundamental and Applied Materials	CREDIT VALUE	30
MODULE CODE	ENS1001DA	MODULE CONVENER	Dr Ehsan Gholamalizadeh

DURATION: TERM	1	2	3
DURATION: WEEKS	4	4

Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated)	25

DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

You will learn how to relate basic theory to current technology such as state-of-the-art materials and rapid manufacture techniques. Furthermore, the module will introduce you to the fundamental material solids that engineers use, such as metals, polymers, composites, glasses and ceramics. You will also have the chance to explore why materials behave the way they do, how they differ and what we can do to manipulate them to create products. Moreover, you will take part in lab work to make and test different kinds of materials, and study common manufacturing techniques by practically trying and testing them.

AIMS - intentions of the module

This module is designed to help you develop an awareness of principal engineering materials, their fabrication and technical/economic/environmental considerations. By the end of it, you will be able to explain how to manufacture any single component, the cheapest and best method of making it, what the properties of that material are, how they behave and how they arise. The knowledge you acquire in this module will stand you in good stead in future study.

The following Engineering Council AHEP4 Learning Outcomes are taught and assessed on this module:

• C.4 Select and evaluate technical literature and other sources of information to address complex problems.

• C.12. Use practical laboratory and workshop skills to investigate complex problems

• C.13 - Select and apply appropriate materials, equipment, engineering technologies and processes, recognising their limitations

• C.16 Function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader of a team.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

1	understand the properties of materials relevant to their use in engineering applications and manufacturing methods
2	comprehend economic and sustainability issues in materials and their different manufacturing processes
3	identify and choose the most appropriate manufacturing techniques for specific components
Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
4	use laboratory equipment, correctly and safely, to make measurements
5	record and interpret the results of observed practical experiments and demonstrations
6	gain first-hand experience of facilities for materials property testing and manufacturing
Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and Knowledge:
7	write clear accounts (of laboratory experiments and demonstrations)
8	demonstrate an awareness of health and safety issues applicable to working in a supervised laboratory
9	work as a group member to share and explore practical problems
10	develop the ability for self-study and monitoring
11	provide constructive feedback to teaching staff

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

Basics of Materials

- Introduction to Materials

- Elastic Moduli and Poisson’s Ratio

- Bonding between Atoms and Their Packing in Solids

- Physical Basis of Young’s Modulus

- Yield and Tensile Strength

- Dislocations and Yielding

- Strengthening Methods and Plasticity

- Friction and Wear

- Thermal Properties

- Oxidation and Corrosion of Materials

- General Processing and Applications of Materials

Applied Materials

- materials: mechanical properties of materials and how they arise;

- lifecycle issues: manufacture, use and disposal/reuse/recycling of materials;

- manufacturing: microstructure of materials, how microstructure is changed during manufacture and how this affects properties;

- economics and sustainability in materials and manufacturing;

- polymers;

- properties and processes;

- metals;

- properties and processes;

- composites;

- properties and processes;

- ceramics, glass and new materials;

- properties and processes.

LEARNING AND TEACHING

LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities	56	Guided Independent Study	174	Placement / Study Abroad	74

DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled learning and teaching activities	34	Lectures
Scheduled learning and teaching activities	15	Tutorials
Scheduled learning and teaching activities	7	Laboratories
Guided independent study	174	Guided Independent Study
Placement	74	Learning at work

ASSESSMENT

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)

Coursework	30	Written Exams	70	Practical Exams

DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT

Form of Assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment e.g. duration/length	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Examination	70	2 hours	1-3, C13	On request after exam
Coursework 1	15	5 pages	4-9, C4, C13	Written
Coursework 2	15	5 pages	4-9, C4, C12, C13, C16	Written

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Time scale for re-assessment
Examination	Examination (2 hours, 70%)	1-3, C13	Referral /deferral period
Coursework 1	Coursework (5 pages, 15%)	4-9, C4, C13	Referral /deferral period
Coursework 2	Coursework (5 pages, 15%)	4-9, C4, C12, C13, C16	Referral /deferral period

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

Deferral – if you have been deferred for any assessment you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment.. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 40%.

If your Referral or Deferral relates to

Examination: A similar examination which assess the same Intended Learning Outcomes would be set

Coursework 1: A similar coursework which assess the same Intended Learning Outcomes would be set.

Coursework 2: This is a practical exercise which requires specialist equipment, therefore it would be impractical to repeat. A coursework which addresses the Intended Learning Outcomes would be set

RESOURCES

INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Callister, WD	Materials Science and Engineering: an introduction	8th	John Wiley & Sons	2007	978-0470505861
Kalpakjian S	Manufacturing Processes for Engineering Materials	5th	Prentice Hall	2008	9780132272711
Ashby & Jones	Engineering materials 1 : an introduction to their properties, applications and design	Electronic		2012	0750663812

Reading list for this module:

There are currently no reading list entries found for this module.

CREDIT VALUE	30	ECTS VALUE	15

PRE-REQUISITE MODULES	None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES	None

NQF LEVEL (FHEQ)	4	AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING	No
ORIGIN DATE	Tuesday 3rd June 2025	LAST REVISION DATE	Tuesday 30th September 2025

KEY WORDS SEARCH	Solid mechanics; beam theory; fluid mechanics; incomprehensible flow.

Fundamental and Applied Materials - 2025 entry