Materials Science & Engineering with Professional Internship

Overview
The primary mission of the course is to develop a strong technical understanding of materials science and engineering, preparing you for a career in either materials-related industry or in academic research. Technical lecture information will be consolidated, using data analysis and problem-solving classes, to build critical investigative capability, badly needed in the workplace. Project management skills will also be honed through taught material, research projects and industrial placements, where appropriate.

Professional Internship
Students on the MSc with Professional Internship programme will spend up to 36 weeks of their second year on placement in a materials-related position. It is the responsibility of each student to arrange his or her own Industrial Internship. Internships must be approved by the University in accordance with agreed Health, Safety and Welfare requirements.

Learning and Teaching
Dry Practicals
Associated with each lecture is a "dry" practical. These are sessions in which data analysis or problem-solving challenges can be undertaken. Each class will be designed to reinforce concepts, ideas or techniques explained theoretically in lectures. This will allow students to apply the knowledge gained through "active" learning.

Lectures
Formal dissemination of technical information by expert academic staff forms a key part of the learning and teaching process. Often, the delivery of concepts, ideas and techniques is given in a dense format needing significant individual post-lecture study and reflection.

Self-directed study
This is an essential part of life as a Queen's student when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out.

Course Structure
The course taught by block teaching spread over 2 weeks in delivery.

During these two weeks, direct contact time will be ~ 32.5 hours in total: 15 hours of lectures (3 hours per teaching day) and 17.5 hours of problem-solving / dry practical classes (3.5 hours per teaching day). Block teaching weeks will usually include non-contact time in which students will develop background knowledge through the study of relevant detailed reading lists. After each block teaching fortnight, students will be required to complete significant assignment challenges and study for class test assessments.

Part time students, please note that although the course is part time in terms of number of modules taken each year, the modules themselves are still taught full time in block delivery mode as detailed above.

After completion of the taught modules, research academic supervisors will help in the design and realisation of the research project.

Introduction
The MSc is primarily intended as a conversion course, for those with primary degrees in the conventional physical sciences (Chemistry and Physics for example) or engineering.
Equally, however, it may be used as part of a continuing professional development programme for those already employed in materials-related industry. The course content gives technical coverage across a wide variety of materials topics.

Research Project
A major component in the MSc will be the successful completion of a materials-related research project and, for those undertaking a professional internship, a successfully completed work-placement in a materials-related industry.

Topics covered:
• Microstructure and microstructural development;
• Mechanical properties of materials;
• Functional properties of materials;
• Manufacturing and processing;
• Polymers and composites;
• Materials selection;
• Materials characterisation;
• Project management and data handling.

Graduate
Normally a 2.2 Honours degree in a relevant physical sciences or engineering discipline, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.

Applicants who do not meet the above academic requirements but hold relevant professional qualifications or can demonstrate appropriate and relevant experience, will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The University's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy provides guidance on the assessment of experiential learning (RPEL).

Please visit http://go.qub.ac.uk/RPLpolicy for more information.

The deadline for applications is normally 30th June 2023. However, we encourage applicants to apply as early as possible. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal earlier than 30th June deadline. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.

Please note: a deposit will be required to secure a place.

International Students
For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements
Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. *Taken within the last 2 years.

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level

Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 31st July 2023 for courses which commence in late September. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.

How to Apply
Applications should be submitted online via the Postgraduate Applications Portal for admission to the vast majority of postgraduate programmes.

New applicants will need to register via the Portal to create an application account. If you are already a Queen's student with an active Qsis account, you can log in using your student number and Qsis password. Guidance on how to complete an application is provided within the Portal and it is possible to save application data and return to complete it at a later date, if you wish. After core details about yourself and your academic background have been provided, you can submit an application, or multiple applications, if required.

If you applied in a previous cycle through the Portal and are re-applying, you should use your previous log in details. Please review and update your personal and contact details, academic and professional qualifications before submitting a new application.

Important – please ensure that the email address you provide is correct and active, as this will be used by us to communicate the progress of your application to you.

Applications for this course received after 30th June 2022 may not be accepted. In addition, a deposit will be required to secure a place.

A combination of class tests, assignment assessment, assessment of each student problem-solving / data analysis portfolio and a dissertation thesis based on a three-month research project.

2 years full-time, 3 years part-time.

Entry year 2020

Career Prospects
Introduction
Advanced technology materials-related manufacturing companies are economically extremely significant to both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Multinationals, such as Intel, Bombardier, Seagate, Thales and Kyocera have major research, development and production facilities on the island. Such companies employ many thousands and are all keen to ensure a steady stream of technically informed, problem solving graduates to augment their workforces. Advanced, specialist understanding (beyond BSc level) of how materials properties underpin existing and new commercial activities is key to maintaining the health of these companies and their presence on the island in the future.

Equally, materials-based industries act as major employers throughout the rest of the world, so there is no limitation to career location.

Careers in materials-related research in both academia and industry may be pursued.

Employment after the Course
Examples of employment: Research or Production Engineer; Technical Management; Academic Researcher; Technical Consultant.

Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills
In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.