Outline

Overview

To understand (a) how to define the relationship between properties and microstructures of advanced engineering materials, (b) how to improve mechanical design with the knowledge of mechanics and properties of materials, and (c) how to conduct failure diagnosis of engineering materials.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	MECH3362 or MECH8362 or MECH9362 or equivalent study at another institution
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	MECH4310
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Xianghai An, xianghai.an@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Xianghai An, xianghai.an@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Presentation	Individual Presentation Students will give a presentation based on their case study.	10%	Multiple weeks	20 mins Presentation + 5mins Q&A
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Group presentation Group presentation based on the group report	10%	Multiple weeks	30 mins presentation + 5mins Q&A
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Group report Investigate one big topic of materials and write a group report .	15%	Week 07 Due date: 14 Apr 2024 at 23:59 Closing date: 28 Apr 2024	25-30 pages
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Quiz 1 Quiz 1 related to the first 7 weeks content	20%	Week 08	25-30 questions to be answered in 60mins
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Lab report Attending lab work in WK 4 or 5 and write a lab report	10%	Week 09 Due date: 28 Apr 2024 at 23:59 Closing date: 12 May 2024	maximum 5 pages
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Literature review Study one group of materials and write a literature review	15%	Week 11 Due date: 12 May 2024 at 23:59 Closing date: 26 May 2024	15-20 pages
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Quiz 2 Quiz 2 based on group report, lab project and individual case study	20%	Week 13	25-30 questions to be answered in 60mins
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Group report: The students will form a group (2-3 students, which depends on the enrollment) and will deeply investgate one big but open topic of materials. The group report is limited to 35 A4 pages maximum, including the essential information with scanned sketch/drawing and photos where/when it is appropriate. The contributions of each group memeber should be indicated. The due date is Week 7.

Case study - individual Report: Each student is required to submit a report individually in week 11 on reviewing a particular application with a focus on the advanced engineering materials required, by studying available information in the Engineering Library (specific articles in proceedings, monographs and journals) and the web. Students are required to register the topic in week 2. If the student is working on a materials-related thesis, he/she must select a totally different material for the Major Report, and this must be declared on the cover page of the report. The major report is limited to 20 A4 pages maximum, including the essential information with scanned sketch/drawing and photos where/when it is appropriate.

Lab report - individual Report: Each student is required to submit one reports individually in week 9 after attending a small lab projects in WK 4 or 5. Each report is limited to 5 A4 pages maximum.

On-Class Quizzes: two short release on-class quizzes that should be finished in the required time (week 8 and week 13)

Group study - group presentation: The group student will deliver a comprehensive presentation to introduce their studies pertinent to the materials topic they choose.

Case study - individual presentation: Each student will make a concise oral presentation on a kind of advanced engineering materials.

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 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:

For the assignments and case study-individual presentation/report: The policy is 5% per day for up to ten calendar days, after which a zero mark will be awarded. For the presentation, you need to arrange the time with the lecturer/tutor if you cannot deliver the presentation as scheduled. For the Quizzes, if you cannot attend it, please apply the special consideration but later submission is unacceptable.

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.

Learning support

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

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	WK1 Lecture: Introduction to Advanced Engineering Materials; basic knowledge for materials properties, materials strengthening, materials selection, etc	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Independently reviewing the knowledge of basic materials properties including materials strengthening and phase diagram.	Independent study (8 hr)
Week 02	WK2 tutorial time: The lecture will be delivered during tutorial to introduce the phase diagram and heat treatment of materials. (Lecture in Tutorial room)	Lecture (2 hr)
	Review the mechanical properties and deformation of materials-1	Lecture (2 hr)
	Independently review the knowledge of structure, property, processing and development of advanced steels	Independent study (6 hr)
Week 03	WK3 tutorial time: Lecture will be delivered to review the mechanical properties and deformation of materials-2. (Lecture in tutorial room)	Lecture (2 hr)
	WK3 Lecture: Structure, property, processing and development of advanced steels	Lecture (2 hr)
	Independently reviewing the knowledge of Structure, property, processing and development of advanced light alloys. Prepare the group report and individual report	Independent study (6 hr)
Week 04	WK4 tutorial time: First lab project related to the heat treatment of steels and its effects on mechanical properties during the tutorial time. Room: S152	Science laboratory (2 hr)
	WK4 Lecture: Light alloys 1- Al alloys and Ti alloys	Lecture (2 hr)
	WK5 Lecture: Light Metals 2 and Superalloys.	Lecture (2 hr)
	Independently review the knowledge of Superalloys that is delivered during lecturing class. Prepare the group report and individual report.	Individual study (6 hr)
Week 05	WK5 tutorial time: Second lab project related to the relationship between deformation and conductivity of Al. Room: S152	Science laboratory (2 hr)
	WK6 Tutorial: High performance polymers and composites I (Lecture in Tutorial room)	Lecture (2 hr)
	Reviewing the knowledge of High performance polymers and composites I that is delivered during the lecturing class. Prepare the group report and individual report.	Independent study (6 hr)
Week 06	WK6 Lecture: High performance polymers and composites II	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Independently review the knowledge of High performance polymers and composites II that is delivered during the lecturing class. Prepare the group report and individual report.	Independent study (6 hr)
Week 07	WK7 Tutorial: Help student to prepare the lab report.	Tutorial (2 hr)
	WK7 Lecture: Introduction to materials selection and additive manufacturing.	Lecture (2 hr)
	Independently review the knowledge of introduction to materials selection and additive manufacturing that is delivered during lecturing class. Prepare the group report and individual report.	Independent study (6 hr)
Week 08	WK 8 Lecture: Quiz1on class that should be finished at the required time table	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Case study and prepare group presentation	Individual study (8 hr)
Week 09	Case study and prepare group presentation	Individual study (10 hr)
Week 10	WK 10 workshop for group presentation.	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Case study and prepare individual presentation	Individual study (8 hr)
Week 11	WK11 Lecture: Individual Presentation and discussion	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Independently learning materials knowledge from the presentations delivered by other students that are based on the case study.	Individual study (8 hr)
Week 12	WK12 Lecture: Individual Presentation and discussion	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Independently learning materials knowledge from the presentations delivered by other students that are based on the group student and individual case study.	Individual study (8 hr)
Week 13	Independently learning materials knowledge from the presentations delivered by other students that are based on the group student and individual case study.	Individual study (8 hr)
Week 13	Quiz 2 based on the group report, lab project, and individual case study that should be finished in the required time table.	Lecture (2 hr)

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

This subject requires you to have a good understanding of fundamental knowledge and principles of various aspects for materials engineering UoS (e.g. 2nd & 3rd year Materials I and II, Solids I etc. Solid II can be helpful for the project work in weeks 9-13) especially those relevant to materials engineering and technology over the past three years.

Learning outcomes

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. research and acquire in-depth knowledge in a particular area of advanced materials engineering for the various assessments
LO2. communicate project outcomes
LO3. judge the appropriate application of advanced materials with respect to the economic and environmental aspects
LO4. determine and justify the choice of advanced materials for specific high-tech applications
LO5. describe the principal microstructural characteristics of different advanced materials, materials systems, and discuss their relationship to the functional properties
LO6. recognise and apply the various fabrication and characterisation methods specific to advanced materials and make appropriate choices regarding their selection.

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
Learning outcomes

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	National Standard of Competency for Architects - 5.5. Integration of materials and components based upon an understanding of their physical properties. Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - 5.3. Skills in the selection and characterisation of engineering systems, devices, components and materials.
	Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - 4.4. Skills in implementing and managing engineering projects within the bounds of time, budget, performance and quality assurance requirements. Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineer (UG) - 2.4 (L2). Engineering project management. (Level 2- Attaining required standard (Bachelor Honours standard AQF8)) Application of systematic approaches to the conduct and management of engineering projects
	National Standard of Competency for Architects - 5.5. Integration of materials and components based upon an understanding of their physical properties. Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - 5.3. Skills in the selection and characterisation of engineering systems, devices, components and materials.
	National Standard of Competency for Architects - 5.5. Integration of materials and components based upon an understanding of their physical properties. Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - 5.3. Skills in the selection and characterisation of engineering systems, devices, components and materials.
	National Standard of Competency for Architects - 5.5. Integration of materials and components based upon an understanding of their physical properties. Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - 5.3. Skills in the selection and characterisation of engineering systems, devices, components and materials.
	National Standard of Competency for Architects - 5.5. Integration of materials and components based upon an understanding of their physical properties. Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - 5.3. Skills in the selection and characterisation of engineering systems, devices, components and materials.

Accreditation of chemical engineering programmes -

Competency code	Taught, Practiced or Assessed	Competency standard
A3.3(d)		Have communicated the outcomes of the project work in a professional manner that may include: thesis; publication; poster; presentation.

Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators -

Competency code	Taught, Practiced or Assessed	Competency standard
5.3		Skills in the selection and characterisation of engineering systems, devices, components and materials.
5.9		Skills in documenting results, analysing credibility of outcomes, critical reflection, developing robust conclusions, reporting outcomes.

National Standard of Competency for Architects -

Competency code	Taught, Practiced or Assessed	Competency standard
5.5		Integration of materials and components based upon an understanding of their physical properties.

Responding to student feedback

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

We only change the due dates of assessments without changing any contents

Additional information

For the Group report and presentation.

Students will form a group to choose one large but open topic pertinent to the materials, such as sustainability of materials development, the future of materials, materials and modern civilization, etc. By collaborating with group members, the group should prepare a comprehensive report. Since the topic is quite open, the group can freely choose the format for the report but headlines should be clear. One requirement is that the report should include the introduction, main content, perspective and outlooks. The report should be submitted in week 7 via online (TBA) to the lecturer. The major report is limited to 30 A4 pages maximum, including references and the essential information with scanned sketch/drawing and photos where/when it is appropriate. At WK2, we will form the group and assign the topics. In WK10, the group will deliver a comprehensive oral presentation (30-35mins) to introduce the topic and report to the whole class. Each of group member should make their own contributions.

For the Major report (individual):

Each student is required to submit a major report individually in week 11 via online (TBA) to the lecturer on reviewing a particular advanced material, such as high strength carbon fiber, carbon nanotubes, PZT, NiTi shape memory alloy, nickel superalloys, Si3N4superhard coating, high strength steel, and high performance polymer (PPS, PEEK etc.), from a big volume of advanced materials developed over years, by studying the information in Engineering Library (specific articles in proceedings, monographs, and periodical journals) and internet. The topics will be assigned at week 2.

The major report is limited to 20 A4 pages maximum, including references and the essential information with scanned sketch/drawing and photos where/when it is appropriate,

Background (5%*)

Processing and manufacturing (how the material is produced?) (15%)

Comprehensive knowledge about the material meso-/micro-structures (20%)

Major quantitative physical (mechanical) properties (20%)

Comparison with the alternative materials in structure and property (why advanced?) (20%)

Problems and issues for the further improvement (10%)

Conclusion (5%)

References (where the information and data are retrieved (5%)

*Marking scheme

*If the student is working on a materials-related thesis, he/she must select a VERY different material for the major report.

*The student is required to attach the academic dishonesty checklist (as attached) as the first page of the assignments and major report to comply with the university plagiarism policy and procedure.

For the project (group lab work, this part will not be provided this year): the detailed projects will be found in CANVAS

The study commences with a research project brief in a specific area of advanced engineering materials in week 8. The students will be divided into groups randomly, with a supervisor to work on one of advanced materials projects as listed in the handout. Each project basically covers the literature review, study of theory and background, hands-on processing and characterizations, presentation and final report.

Presentation: Each students will make make an oral concise presentation on individual projects, such as know-how, technology, experiments and characterizations etc. The commencing date will be announced, which is based on the total enrollment. These presentations form a lecture series for the whole class on broad knowledge on advanced engineering materials and technology. For example, for the project on properties of therompastics, the presentations may cover the aspects of molecular structures, crystal structures, degree of crystallinity, mechanical properties and toughness in correlation with crystal structures and degree of crystallinity that are dependant on processing history.

Lab work : two lab projects will be done with lecturer together. Details will be indicated during the WK1 lecture time. Please be advised that participation in the lab activities is essential.

One project/lab report will be generated for each project, which is a document with sufficient details on the in-depth knowledge of the projects covering all essential aspects and components of the project. The students need to summit two reports. Each report should be about 5 pages including key drawings and figures, and appendices can be used to cover some additional important information (e.g. detail calculations, experimental data and curves) that cannot be included in the core part.

Quiz 1 (open book, 60 min, no digital devices such as laptop, cell phones) will be conducted at the middle of the semester to evaluate the fundamental and key knowledge of relevant topics.

Quiz 2 (open book, 60 min, no digital devices such as laptop, cell phones, calculator) will be conducted at the end of the semester to evaluate the fundamental and key knowledge accumulated on all different case studies over the second half of the semester.

Work, health and safety

It is complusory to follow lab demonstor’s instruction during the group labotory work for the safty issues.

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

MECH5310: Advanced Engineering Materials

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect