Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Materials)

Materials engineers play a key role in reducing environmental impact through recycling, redesigning processes to reduce waste, and developing high performance materials for new energy technologies. 

Materials engineers apply knowledge of science and engineering to turn raw materials into finished products: everything from construction materials and consumer goods to advanced electronics and biomedical implants such as artificial muscles and bionic eyes. They understand how the structure and properties of materials can be controlled by composition and processing. They design and select materials and processing methods to suit a particular application. 

In the first year of study you will learn about engineering and its various fields. You then focus on your chosen major study from the second year with the option to complete a double major; Mechanical Engineering and Materials Engineering. 

In your third and fourth year you will choose electives from more specialised areas including: engineering alloys; fracture, failure and degradation; polymeric materials; ceramics, glasses and refractories; materials processing and transport; materials science and technology; metallurgical processing; materials forming and manufacturing; and sustainability in materials engineering. 

Your degree includes 12-weeks hands-on industry experience, either in Australia or overseas, as well as a range of industry projects and other career-ready learning opportunities.

Areas of study

The first year provides you with sound fundamentals in mathematics, statistics, physics, computing, engineering science and communication, mechanics and materials.

You then focus on your materials engineering major from the second year including subjects in mechanics of solids and materials engineering. In the final years of this major, you will choose electives from more specialised areas, including engineering alloys; fracture, failure and degradation; polymeric materials; ceramics, glasses and refractories; materials processing and transport; materials science and technology; metallurgical processing; materials forming and manufacturing; and sustainability in materials engineering.

Career opportunities

Material engineers work in manufacturing metals, ceramics and polymers, processing raw materials, automotive and aerospace industries, solar energy and battery devices, recycling materials, designing new materials, additive manufacturing and fabrication, economic use of resources in a sustainable society.

Professional recognition

UOW’s engineering programs are accredited by Engineers Australia and relevant world engineering bodies through the Washington Accord. This ensures recognition by equivalent professional engineering bodies in the USA, UK, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, Ireland, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and other countries.

This recognition ensures that graduates from this course are admitted, on application, to the grade of Graduate Membership of Engineers Australia.

Practical experience

12 weeks of industry experience in one or more settings under the supervision of experienced engineers; optional internships, industry projects and other career-ready learning opportunities.

Honours

In the final stages of the course, students undertake a research component (thesis).

Fees and charges

Refer to University of Wollongong current fee information.