Postgraduate qualifications in materials science and engineering

Professor Dr Zanuldin Ahmad, Head of the Materials Science and Engineering Programme from Malaysia University of Science and Technology (MUST) gives us a glimpse into this specialised area of study. 
 
Materials science and engineering is a field that combines the knowledge in chemistry, physics, and the engineering sciences for the design, manufacture, and use of all materials (metals, ceramics, semiconductors, polymers, and biomaterials) and encompasses the ecological, health, economic, and manufacturing issues relating to materials. 
 
The materials science aspect of the programme studies the structure of materials and of processing-structure-property relations in materials. Materials engineering is concerned with developing processes for preparation and production of materials as well as designing materials for specific applications.
 
The course
The postgraduate programme in materials science and engineering is an advanced programme of study where students are exposed to the science and engineering of classes of materials such as electronic, photonic, and magnetic materials, bio- and polymeric materials and structural and environmental materials. These classes of materials will form the core areas in which the student will specialise in his or her doctoral degree later on. 
 
This programme requires students to take eight core courses in materials science and two elective courses outside the materials science and engineering programme. In addition to the courses, students are also required to write a thesis based on their research interests under the supervision of a faculty member of the programme.
 
The subjects 
Core courses include the following:
  1. Mechanical Properties of Materials
  2. Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Materials
  3. Structure and Mechanical Behaviour of Polymers
  4. Electronic Materials Design
  5. Fabrication Technology
  6. Materials Selection, Design, and Economics
  7. Magnetic Materials
  8. Research Methods
Elective courses are
  1. Independent Study
  2. Any course outside Materials Science and Engineering
Duration, fees and entry requirements
It takes a minimum of 18 months or three semesters to complete this programme and it costs approximately RM30,000.00 for the first three semesters (at MUST).
 
Types of postgraduate courses
If you are interested in this area of study, you can choose one of the following:
 
  1. Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering
  2. Master of Engineering in Materials Science and Engineering
  3. Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Science and Engineering
Why is it important?
Materials science and engineering is involved in almost all of today’s industries. We see the quest for super strong and light materials for aerospace automobile applications, electronic and photonic materials in the electronic industry, bio-polymers in biotechnology and polymer engineering in the chemical industry. These are some of the industries actively involved in the search for new and advanced materials for their respective applications with a view towards economic efficiency as well as meeting new environmental standards.
 
Therefore there is demand for students who are equipped with the knowledge to analyse and formulate solutions to materials-related problems. The latest trends are in the fields of biopolymers, lightweight materials and polymers mimicking the natural world. Nanomaterials are now actively pursued by researchers either at the fundamental level or engineering applications.
 
Materials science and engineering is a well-established programme in the USA, Europe and Japan. Graduates of this discipline are employed widely in manufacturing and production industries.
 
Typical employers of graduates in materials science and engineering include Intel, Flextronics, and Infineon. You can also work in patent offices registering patents or teach at universities. 
 
About the writer
Dr Zanuldin Bin Ahmad has a PhD (Engineering) from University of Cambridge, UK, an MSc (Mechanical Engineering) from MIT, USA, and a HND (Aeronautical Engineeing) from Farnborough College of Technology, UK. He was appointed as Professor of Engineering at MUST in May 2002. Prior to joining MUST, he was with the Sime Darby Group (Corporate Planning, SJMC, DMIB Bhd, Plantations Division), UMW Corp. (Corporate Planning), Multimedia Development Corp. (CEO, Optica Fibre Sdn Bhd). Upon graduating from MIT, he joined Esso Production Malaysia Inc., as a design engineer. He currently teaches Mechanical Properties of Materials, Structure and Mechanical Behaviour of Polymers, and Mathematical Methods.