Overview
ENEG11008: Materials for Engineers introduces you to the essential knowledge of materials science and the ways in which engineers understand, select and use materials and processes for engineering applications. In this unit, you will gain knowledge of engineering materials, microstructure and its effect on the material properties. You will learn how to identify and explain the properties of engineering materials and processes and how to classify these materials. You will also learn how to select engineering materials and processes for engineering applications, as well as to conduct material tests and report on their results. Throughout this unit, you will develop teamwork, research and communication skills. In this unit, you must complete compulsory practical activities. Refer to the Engineering Undergraduate Course Moodle site for proposed dates.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2023
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Residential Schools
This unit has a Compulsory Residential School for distance mode students and the details are:
Click here to see your Residential School Timetable.
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student unit evaluation
It was pointed out that the unit coordinator sometimes mentioned there were good discussions at local / Zoom tutorial classes. This made other students feel disadvantaged.
Ensure that the same and consistent messages are delivered across cohorts.
Feedback from Email and direct interaction
Students commented that the additional online materials for the lab preparation were very useful and easy to follow.
Improve the unit contents and introduce more modules to reinforce students' understanding and preparedness.
- Define the atomic and microstructure of engineering materials and their relationship to physical behaviour
- Classify engineering materials into metals, ceramics, polymers and composites
- Characterise materials for mechanical properties based on Australian Standards and ASTM methods
- Explain the role of mechanical, electrical, optical and thermal properties of materials in engineering
- Apply the frameworks used to select materials for engineering applications.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20% | |||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 25% | |||||
| 3 - Practical and Written Assessment - 20% | |||||
| 4 - Online Test - 35% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||||
| 5 - Team Work | |||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||
Textbooks
Materials Science and Engineering: an introduction
Edition: 10th edn (2019)
Authors: David G. Rethwisch and William Callister
John Wiley & Sons
Milton Milton , QLD , Australia
ISBN: 9781119594178
Binding: Paperback
Additional Textbook Information
This text can be accessed online at the CQUni Library website. If you prefer your own copy, you can purchase one at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop@cqu.edu.au (search on the unit code)
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
j.sul@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
-
Introduction to the unit and information session
-
Introduction to materials science and engineering
-
Materials classification and their key characteristics
Chapter
-
Chapter 1: 1.2 - 1.5
- Lecture note
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
- Mechanical properties of materials
- Standards for materials testing
Chapter
- Chapter 6: 6.1 - 6.3, 6.5 - 6.7 & 6.10
- Lecture note
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
- Failure of engineering materials: ductile and brittle failure
- Examples and case studies
Chapter
- Chapter 8: 8.1 - 8.6
- Lecture note
Events and Submissions/Topic
-
Online Quiz #1 open
Module/Topic
- Principles of materials selection and materials selection process
- Introduction to Granta EduPack
- Examples and case studies
Chapter
- Unit Moodle page and lecture note
Events and Submissions/Topic
-
Online Quiz #1 close
-
Residential school
Module/Topic
- Microstructural aspects of engineering materials: bonding
- Microstructural aspects of engineering materials: crystal structures
Chapter
- Chapter 2: 2.1 - 2.7
- Chapter 3: 3.1 - 3.5, 3.7 & 3.13 - 3.15
- Lecture note
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
- Microstructural aspects of engineering materials: Imperfection in solids
- Dislocations and strengthening mechanisms
- Applications and processing
Chapter
- Chapter 4: 4.1 - 4.4
- Chapter 7: 7.1 - 7.4, 7.6 & 7.8 - 7.13
- Lecture note
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Online Quiz #2 open
Module/Topic
-
Microstructural aspects of engineering materials: Diffusion in solids
- Fick's first law
- Fick's second law
Chapter
-
Chapter 5: 5.1 - 5.3 & 5.5
-
Lecture note
Events and Submissions/Topic
-
Online Quiz #2 close
Lab worksheet Due: Week 7 Monday (24 Apr 2023) 11:59 pm AEST
Module/Topic
-
Phase diagram and phase transformations
-
Alteration of mechanical properties
Chapter
-
Chapter 9: 9.1 - 9.13, 9.6 - 9.12, 9.18
-
Chapter 10: 10.5, 10.7
-
Chapter 11: 11.1 - 11.3
-
Lecture note
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
-
Thermal properties of materials
-
Electrical and magnetic properties of materials
Chapter
-
Chapter 18: 18.2, 18.3, 18.7, 18.8, 18.11, 18.13, 18.15, 18.18
-
Chapter 19: 19.1 - 19.5
-
Chapter 20: 20.2, 20.7, 20.9 & 20.11
-
Lecture note
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Online Quiz #3 open
Materials selection process Due: Week 9 Monday (8 May 2023) 11:59 pm AEST
Module/Topic
-
Non-metallic materials: ceramic, polymers and composites
- Environmental issues and recycling of materials
Chapter
-
Tutorial materials
-
Lecture note
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Online Quiz #3 close
Module/Topic
-
Materials in the resources industry
Chapter
-
Lecture note
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
- Corrosion and materials for batteries
- Unit review and tips on preparing for the final test
Chapter
-
Chapter 17: 17.2 - 17.10
-
Lecture note
Events and Submissions/Topic
-
Online Quiz #4 open
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
-
Online Quiz #4 close
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Online Quiz(zes)
This assessment consists of four tri-weekly online quizzes which can be accessed via the unit's Moodle site. A set of multiple-choice, short answer, drag-and-drop, and calculation questions is assigned every three weeks (viz. weeks 3, 6, 9 and 12). Each online quiz will cover the contents in the previous two weeks and the corresponding week (e.g. Online quiz 1 covers the contents in Weeks 1 to 3).
Each online quiz will remain open from Wednesday in the testing weeks until midnight Sunday in the following weeks so that you can take the online quizzes whenever you are available and ready. You will be allowed to attempt each quiz twice and the highest mark of the two attempts will be registered in Moodle Grade. There will be a time limit of an hour for 12 questions for each quiz. Once started, it cannot be paused and it will become inaccessible after its closure. There is no restriction on the venue and materials you can use. However, you are strongly recommended to prepare for the quizzes due to their time limit.
4
Other
Four tri-weekly online quizzes are held in Weeks 3, 6, 9 and 12.
Students will receive their marks immediately after the due date of each quiz.
- The total marks of each of four online quizzes will be scaled to out of 5 marks for the unit total.
- Numerical answers must be entered to 3 significant figures.
- Define the atomic and microstructure of engineering materials and their relationship to physical behaviour
- Classify engineering materials into metals, ceramics, polymers and composites
2 Practical and Written Assessment
This assessment pertains to the completion and submission of a laboratory worksheet. Four laboratory activities will be carried out as a group: Tensile test, Hardness test, Charpy impact test, and Piano wires. You will attend the residential school, participate in the activity, perform experiments, collect data and then carry out related tasks based on the experimental activity. You, as an individual, will be required to fill out the lab worksheet that will be provided on the unit's Moodle site for these four laboratory activities.
Week 7 Monday (24 Apr 2023) 11:59 pm AEST
Students will submit it to the unit's Moodle site.
Week 9 Monday (8 May 2023)
Students can check their marks and feedback from the unit's Moodle site.
Each of the tasks given in the lab worksheet template will be assessed for
- Accurate results
- Accurate plots with correct axis titles and legends
- Use of correct units and significant figures
- Relevant discussions with supporting references
- Define the atomic and microstructure of engineering materials and their relationship to physical behaviour
- Characterise materials for mechanical properties based on Australian Standards and ASTM methods
3 Written Assessment
Your task is to complete the materials selection process template by analysing a product / application of your interest and suggesting an alternative material(s) to improve its design for any purpose (e.g. process and/or manufacturing cost, performance, better use and environmental friendliness, improved safety, improved operation conditions, etc.).
Your approach to this task should include (but not be limited to):
- Choose an engineering design (application) of your interest. This can be ANYTHING that is composed of materials. It can range from a small and simple object, such as a ballpoint pen or a bicycle, to a complex engineering structure, such as a spaceship or a modern building
- Investigate the chosen application to identify materials used and select a material (up to two) that has more room to improve
- Analyse the material(s) to identify its design requirements as per the following criteria: Function- What does the component do?, Constraints- What non-negotiable conditions must be met? What are negotiable?, Objective- What is to be maximised or minimised?, and Free variables- What parameters of the problem is the designer free to change?
- Look for possible alternatives and eliminate those that cannot meet the criteria set earlier
- Rank the short-listed materials after screening
- Further investigation into the top-ranked material to support
- Report your findings and the rationale behind your objectives and detail the procedures
Week 9 Monday (8 May 2023) 11:59 pm AEST
Students will complete and submit the materials selection process template to the link provided in the unit's Moodle site.
Week 11 Monday (22 May 2023)
Students can check their mark and feedback through the link used for submission.
- Report language (15%)
- Justification (15%)
- Methodology (20%)
- Results and discussion (25%)
- Conclusions and recommendations (15%)
- References (10%)
- Explain the role of mechanical, electrical, optical and thermal properties of materials in engineering
- Apply the frameworks used to select materials for engineering applications.
4 Online Test
This final online test as a summative assessment will test your achievement of the learning outcomes. It will consist of various types of questions, including calculation questions, drag-and-drop questions, multiple-choice questions, short & long description questions, etc. This final online test will cover all contents from Week 1 to Week 12, including the assignment and laboratory items. You could sit for this online test wherever you want while it is a synchronous timed online test for three hours which means every student starts at the same time. Only one attempt is allowed and it will be a three-hour online test. You are required to upload your workings for calculation questions to the unit's Moodle page after you finish the test.
Students will be notified of the exact date and time for this assessment towards the end of the term.
Students will be able to access their results on the grade certification day.
Students will be assessed for the correctness of their answers to the questions given in the final test. Drag-and-drop and multiple-choice questions will be marked automatically while short and long description questions will be marked manually. Your understanding and own interpretation of the topics will be sought. You will need to present your answer for the calculation questions with correct units and relevant significant figures. You are required to upload your workings for the calculation questions after the test to prove your genuine attempt and to receive partial marks where applicable.
- Classify engineering materials into metals, ceramics, polymers and composites
- Characterise materials for mechanical properties based on Australian Standards and ASTM methods
- Explain the role of mechanical, electrical, optical and thermal properties of materials in engineering
- Apply the frameworks used to select materials for engineering applications.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
