Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook
This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.

Undergraduate Handbook 2025-2026 (archived)

Module ENGI3471: Materials 3

Department: Engineering

ENGI3471: Materials 3

TypeLevelCreditsAvailabilityModule CapLocation
Tied 3 20 Available in 2025/2026 Durham

Tied To

Pre-requisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combinations

  • As specified in the Programme Regulations

Aims

  • This module is designed solely for students studying Department of Engineering degree programmes.
  • Provide understanding of processing-structure-properties relationships;
  • Introduce students to commercially important manufacturing and processing techniques;
  • Provide an overview of the properties and applications of engineering materials;
  • Enhance awareness of the energy requirements, carbon dioxide foot print, end-of-life product treatment.

Content

  • Polymers and Composites.
  • Metals and Alloys.
  • Material Design, Material Processing, Life-Cycle Analysis, Sustainability.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge
  • An understanding of the process-structure-property relationship in common engineering materials;
  • An understanding sustainability of material life cycle analysis;
  • To know a range of engineering materials and their typical applications;
  • An understanding of main processing methods associated with various engineering materials (e.g. metals, polymers, ceramics, composites).
Subject-specific Skills
  • To be able to identify the appropriate engineering materials for specific application;
  • Capability to identify the appropriate manufacturing process/technique for the production of the products.
  • AHEP4 Learning Outcomes: In order to satisfy Professional Engineering Institution (PEI) accreditation requirements the following Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes (AHEP4) Learning Outcomes are assessed within this module:
  • M3. Select and apply appropriate computational and analytical techniques to model complex problems, discussing the limitations of the techniques employed (exam assessed).
  • M7. Evaluate the environmental and societal impact of solutions to complex problems (to include the entire life-cycle of a product or process) and minimise adverse impacts (exam assessed).
  • M13. Select and apply appropriate materials, equipment, engineering technologies and processes, recognising their limitations (exam assessed).
Key Skills
  • Logical reasoning and problem solving;
  • Numerical skills appropriate to an Engineer;
  • Capacity for self-learning in familiar and unfamiliar situations.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • The course Materials is taught by lectures and reinforced by embedded problem sheets, leading to the required problem solving capability. Assessment is through written examination leading to the acquisition of the appropriate subject specific skills and knowledge.
  • Students are encouraged to make use of staff 'Surgeries' (otherwise "Office Hours") to discuss any aspect of the module with teaching staff on a one-to-one basis. These are sign-up sessions available for up to one hour per week.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotal HoursAttendance Monitored
Lectures 40 Twice weekly 1 hour 40
Surgeries 20 As required, weekly sign-ups available throughout the year Optional attendance as required 10
Revision Classes 2 2 hours 2
Preparation and Reading 148
Total 200

Summative Assessment

ComponentComponent WeightingElementLength/DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Examination 100% On Campus Written Examination 2 hours 100%

Formative Assessment


Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.