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Unit outline_

AMME9302: Introduction to Engineering Materials

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit is an introductory course in engineering materials. The unit aims to develop students' understanding of the mechanical properties, manufacture, and corrosion and degradation of a range of engineering materials, including metals and alloys, ceramics, polymers, and composites. The unit has no prerequisite subject and is therefore intended for those with little or no previous background in engineering materials. However, the unit does require students to take a significant degree of independent responsibility for developing their own background knowledge of materials and their properties.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
AMME5302 or CIVL5501
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Xiaozhou Liao, xiaozhou.liao@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Xiaozhou Liao, xiaozhou.liao@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
hurdle task
Final exam
Close book written exam
45% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Small continuous assessment hurdle task Lab report
Analysis of mechanical properties of materials based on experimental data
15% Multiple weeks No more than 5 A4 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4
Tutorial quiz Tutorial Quiz in Week 3
Quiz questions from contents learnt in weeks 1 and 2.
2% Week 03 10 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz Tutorial Quiz in Week 5
Quiz questions from contents learnt in weeks 3 and 4.
2% Week 05 10 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Small test Mechanical Properties and Failure Quiz
Working through Quiz questions
20% Week 07
Due date: 12 Sep 2024 at 11:00

Closing date: 12 Sep 2024
~6 A4 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4
Tutorial quiz Tutorial Quiz in Week 7
Quiz questions from contents learnt in weeks 5 and 6.
2% Week 07 10 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz Tutorial Quiz in Week 9
Quiz questions from contents learnt in weeks 7 and 8.
2% Week 09 10 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz Tutorial Quiz in week 11
Quiz questions from contents learnt in weeks 9 and 10.
1% Week 11 10 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment (3) Crystalline structures and defects, materials strengthening methods
Working through assignment questions
10% Week 12
Due date: 25 Oct 2024 at 23:59
~6 A4 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4
Tutorial quiz Tutorial Quiz 13
Quiz questions from contents learnt in weeks 11 and 12.
1% Week 13 10 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

  • Lab report: This report will be on the mechanical properties laboratory session. Attendance at the laboratory event is compulsory. Non attendance will result in a fail in this Unit of Study. Labs for Online attendees are only available in Week 7.
  • Assignments: written assessments of individual components of the UoS.
  • Final exam: Written assessment of the entire course.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The Assessment Procedures 2011 provide that any written work submitted after 23:59 pm on the due date will be penalised by 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. If the assessment is submitted more than ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks Mechanical Properties Laboratory Practical (1.5 hr)  
3 Assignments Individual study (120 hr)  
Lab report Individual study (5 hr)  
Week 01 Introduction Lecture (1 hr)  
Mechanical properties Lecture (1 hr)  
Week 02 Mechanical Properties Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 03 Mechanical Properties of Metals Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 04 Mechanical Properties of Ceramics and Polymers Lecture (1 hr)  
Mechanical Properties of Composites Lecture (1 hr)  
Week 05 Mechanical Properties of Composites Lecture (1 hr)  
Fracture, Fatigue and Creep Lecture (1 hr)  
Week 06 Fracture, Fatigue and Creep Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 07 Interatomic Bonding Lecture (1 hr)  
Week 08 Structures of Crystalline Solids Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 09 Structures of Crystalline Solids Lecture (1 hr)  
Structures of Ceramics and Polymers Lecture (1 hr)  
Week 10 Imperfections in Solids Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 11 Dislocations and Plastic Deformation Lecture (1 hr)  
Strategies for Metal Strengthening Lecture (1 hr)  
Week 12 Corrosion and Degradation Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 13 Structural Characterisation of Materials Lecture (1 hr)  
Review of the UoS Lecture (1 hr)  
Weekly Topics aligned with lectures Tutorial (24 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

  • Tutorial attendance: Students are expected to complete pre-tutorial tasks. Tutorials begin in week 2. 
  • Laboratory attendance: Laboratories will be held from week 4 on Monday to Friday from 2 pm to 3:30 pm and from 3:30 pm to 5 pm. Each student is required to attend only once during the semester for the Mechanical Property Laboratory. Attendance is compulsory. Non-attendance will result in a fail in this Unit of Study.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. To be able to describe the main mechanical properties of materials, how to test for each, and how to analyse and calculate the results of a test.
  • LO2. To be able to describe, in relatively simple terms, the crystal structure and associated crystal imperfections of materials, electron microscopic techniques for materials structural characterization, describing theoretically, schematically, and mathematically
  • LO3. To understand the basics of corrosion and degradation of materials and some corrosion prevention methods
  • LO4. To be able to communicate effectively materials science and engineering issues in oral and/or written presentations

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

All contents remain the same as in 2023 except for the due dates of assessments (changing to the dates in 2024).

More information related to this unit will be provided in class.

Work, health and safety

Students have to wear a face mask during their in campus lab class. No open-toe shoe is allowed in the lab.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.