There are two undergraduate degrees available at ANU that will give you a solid foundation in materials science and engineering:
-a Bachelor of Science specialising in materials science and engineering; and
-a Bachelor of Engineering (Materials and Mechanical Systems).

While there is some overlap in the courses taken in each degree, they are quite different in their approach and entry requirements. If you're considering a career in materials science and engineering you should consider both degrees in detail.

More information on the Bachelor of Engineering (Materials and Mechanical Systems) can be found through the Department of Engineering website. More information on the Bachelor of Science can be found below.

A BSc Specialising
in Materials Science and Engineering

Background / General Course Outline / Specialisations / Request Further Info / General ANU Prospective Student Information / Honours Scholarship

Background
The ANU BSc specialising in materials offers students the opportunity to combine their skills and interests in different fields of science and technology.

For an easily printed, two page fact sheet, see
Materials @ ANU.

A materials science degree at ANU will provide students with: (1) a broad skills base; (2) an understanding of the application of scientific research to a wide variety of problems; (3) exciting opportunities for specialisation - forensics, biomedical materials, mathematical modelling, wood technologies, chemical engineering, molecular genetics, quantum physics, robotics; (4) and not least, excellent and varied career opportunities!

Why materials science? - materials are the stuff of life and new materials are increasingly part of everyday objects as well as high-tech applications. The study of existing materials also has many important applications, for example in forensic investigation or in assessing the condition of materials in existing structures eg. heritage buildings, aircraft.

Research in materials is by its very nature oriented to applications and hence it is at the nucleus of many of society's needs: improving the environment through materials recycling; enhancing health care through biomaterials and biomedical devices; developing renewable and efficient sources of energy, solar cells, biofuels etc. The solution to such difficult practical problems requires the integration of expertise and knowledge from several different fields, hence the creation of the ANU's Centre for Science and Engineering of Materials (CSEM).

Materials being studied at ANU - are as diverse as thin silicate films for solar energy conversion, solid electrolytes, thin films and membranes, polymers and tough ceramics, electronic and optical materials, geo- materials, bio-materials designed for slow drug release, carbon-fibre aerospace materials, environmentally friendly detergents, and advanced wood composites!

Features of the BSc in materials science - a feature of the course is the opportunity to undertake a research placement in one of ANU's Research Schools, or with a relevant industry partner during the third year of study. There will also be oppportunities for talented and enthusiastic students to particpate in research placements earlier in their undergraduate studies. CSEM members have a wide variety of industry links both in Australia and overseas. These industry partners provide facilities for research and educational collaborations.

Exciting combinations/units at other institutions - it is possible for students to undertake University of Canberra, Conservation of Cultural Materials units or units offered as part of CIT's BAppSci in Forensic Investigation. Opportunities for simultaneous study in design and craft are made possible via the ANU Canberra School of the Art workshops in various media, such as wood, non-ferrous metals, glass and ceramics.

General course outline

Specialisations Available at ANU
We plan to offer three types of materials degrees with focus in the following sorts of areas. Click on the title to see a possible course outline. (NB none of these courses are fully prescribed, there is a large degree of electivity):

1. Bio-materials - biology, chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, medical science, plant science, engineering (forensic investigation, bio-materials engineering, analytical chemistry, biotechnology, genetic engineering)

2. High Tech - engineering, physics, chemistry, maths, computer science (aerospace materials, composite materials, electronic, optical and photovoltaic materials, applied maths)

3. Chemistry of Materials - strong chemistry in combination with engineering and other units of interest (analytical chemistry, chemical engineering)